1.Regulatory Mechanism of Extracellular Vesicles in The Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Its Application in Diagnosis and Treatment
Zi-Qi WANG ; Jing WANG ; Yuan-Yu HUANG ; Mei LU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):968-981
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are pivotal mediators of intercellular communication within the tumor immune microenvironment (TME). They are broadly categorized into exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies based on their distinct biogenesis pathways. Exosomes originate from the endosomal system via multivesicular body fusion, microvesicles bud directly from the plasma membrane, and apoptotic bodies are released during programmed cell death. By shuttling diverse bioactive cargoes—including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids such as mRNA, miRNA, and DNA—EVs exert dual modulatory effects on tumor initiation, progression, and immune evasion. Importantly, EVs exhibit remarkable compositional heterogeneity that is intrinsically linked to their cellular origin. Tumor-derived EVs (TDEVs) are typically enriched with immunosuppressive molecules like PD-L1, TGF‑β, and miR-21, which promote tumor immune escape and metastasis. In contrast, EVs derived from immune cells, such as dendritic cells or cytotoxic T lymphocytes, often carry immunostimulatory components including antigens, co-stimulatory molecules, and granzymes, thereby potentiating anti-tumor immunity. This review systematically delineates the biogenesis and molecular composition of EVs, with a particular emphasis on their dynamic regulatory functions within the TME. Specifically, we discuss how EVs mediate intricate crosstalk between immune and tumor cells, facilitating signal transfer that reshapes immune surveillance. For instance, TDEVs can induce macrophage polarization toward an M2-like pro-tumor phenotype, while also suppressing natural killer cell cytotoxicity and dendritic cell maturation. The clinical utility of EV-associated biomarkers in liquid biopsy is increasingly recognized. Circulating EVs carry tumor-specific molecular signatures that mirror the genetic and proteomic alterations of primary tumors, enabling non-invasive early diagnosis, molecular subtyping, and real-time monitoring of therapeutic responses. Their natural biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and intrinsic ability to traverse biological barriers make them ideal candidates for drug delivery systems. This review explores cutting-edge applications, including the use of EVs in immune checkpoint blockade therapy—for instance, engineered EVs displaying anti-PD-1 antibodies or carrying siRNA to silence immunosuppressive genes. Moreover, EV-based tumor vaccines are being developed, leveraging dendritic cell-derived EVs loaded with tumor antigens to elicit potent T cell responses. The feasibility of loading EVs with therapeutic molecules such as chemotherapeutic agents, oncolytic viruses, or CRISPR-Cas9 components is also under active investigation. The advent of engineered EVs has further expanded their therapeutic potential. Through surface modification or cargo encapsulation, EVs can be tailored for targeted delivery and controlled release, enhancing precision immunotherapy. However, several hurdles impede clinical translation. Current isolation and purification methods, such as ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography, suffer from low yield and purity. Distinguishing EV subpopulations remains technically challenging due to overlapping size and marker expression. Moreover, the lack of standardized protocols for EV production, characterization, and quality control poses significant barriers to regulatory approval and clinical adoption. Looking forward, the convergence of multi-omics technologies with artificial intelligence offers a powerful approach to decipher EV heterogeneity and identify robust diagnostic signatures. Machine learning algorithms can integrate proteomic, transcriptomic, and lipidomic data from large patient cohorts to construct predictive models for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Concurrently, advances in bioengineering are enabling the design of next-generation EVs with enhanced targeting specificity, on-demand drug release, and reduced off-target effects. Future efforts should also focus on establishing good manufacturing practice (GMP)‑compliant production processes and conducting rigorous preclinical and clinical evaluations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive overview of EV biology, their multifaceted roles in the TME, and their transformative potential in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. By addressing current challenges and leveraging emerging technologies, EV-based strategies are poised to revolutionize precision oncology.
2.Analyzing correlations of volume percentage and metabolism of brain region in patients with Alzheimer disease based on FDG PET/MR
Yinyan ZHU ; Yan ZHANG ; Gan HUANG ; Mei XIN ; Peizhe YUAN ; Yue WANG ; Liangrong WAN ; Cheng WANG ; Gang HUANG ; Jianjun LIU ; Chenpeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(2):203-206
Objective To investigate correlations of the ratio of specific brain region volume to total brain volume(ratio%),standard uptake value(SUV)of specific brain region based on 18F-FDG PET/MR examination in Alzheimer disease(AD)patients,as well as the relationship between changes of these two.Methods Fifty AD patients were retrospectively collected.Based on FDG PET/MR,the ratio%and the mean SUV(SUVmean)of 40 specific brain regions were obtained,and the correlation between ratio%and SUVmean for each region were evaluated.According to a database of normal brains,Z-scores for ratio%and SUVmean were calculated to represent structural and functional changes in AD patients,and the correlation between these 2 Z-scores was assessed.Results Correlations were found between ratio%and SUVmean,also between Z-scores of these two parameters in 29 brain regions(r=0.288 to 0.778,all P<0.05).Among them 7 brain regions,i.e.bilateral middle temporal gyrus,right fusiform gyrus,right hippocampus,right precuneus,left lingual gyrus and right parahippocampal gyrus exhibited correlation coefficients greater than 0.6.Conclusion There were some relationships between brain structural and metabolic functions and their changes in AD patients showed on FDG PET/MR.
3.Analyzing correlations of volume percentage and metabolism of brain region in patients with Alzheimer disease based on FDG PET/MR
Yinyan ZHU ; Yan ZHANG ; Gan HUANG ; Mei XIN ; Peizhe YUAN ; Yue WANG ; Liangrong WAN ; Cheng WANG ; Gang HUANG ; Jianjun LIU ; Chenpeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(2):203-206
Objective To investigate correlations of the ratio of specific brain region volume to total brain volume(ratio%),standard uptake value(SUV)of specific brain region based on 18F-FDG PET/MR examination in Alzheimer disease(AD)patients,as well as the relationship between changes of these two.Methods Fifty AD patients were retrospectively collected.Based on FDG PET/MR,the ratio%and the mean SUV(SUVmean)of 40 specific brain regions were obtained,and the correlation between ratio%and SUVmean for each region were evaluated.According to a database of normal brains,Z-scores for ratio%and SUVmean were calculated to represent structural and functional changes in AD patients,and the correlation between these 2 Z-scores was assessed.Results Correlations were found between ratio%and SUVmean,also between Z-scores of these two parameters in 29 brain regions(r=0.288 to 0.778,all P<0.05).Among them 7 brain regions,i.e.bilateral middle temporal gyrus,right fusiform gyrus,right hippocampus,right precuneus,left lingual gyrus and right parahippocampal gyrus exhibited correlation coefficients greater than 0.6.Conclusion There were some relationships between brain structural and metabolic functions and their changes in AD patients showed on FDG PET/MR.
4.Simultaneous Determination of Four Off-flavors in Freshwater Fish by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Combined with Silica Solid Phase Extraction
Liang-Liang TIAN ; Dong-Mei HUANG ; Yuan WANG ; Xuan-Yun HUANG ; Yong-Fu SHI ; Hong-Li YE
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1158-1166
An effective method for simultaneously detecting four semivolatile earthy-musty odors in freshwater fish by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)was developed.The concurrent extraction of geosmin(GSM),2-methylisoborneol(MIB),2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine(IPMP),and 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine(IBMP)in fish tissue was conducted with n-hexane.The optimized QuEChERS material was implemented,and it was found that C18,primary secondary amine(PSA)and MgSO4 could adsorb the target analytes in n-hexane.So only the graphitized carbon black(GCB)could be used to purify the extraction.The adsorption rates of different materials for the four kinds of odors materials were explored in n-hexane and ethyl acetate.The experimental results revealed that the adsorption rates of silica for the four targets were 99.5%-100%in n-hexane and 0.7%-5.0%in ethyl acetate respectively.Then the silica solid phase extraction(SPE)method was utilized to eluent the compounds using 1.0 mL n-hexane/ethyl acetate in different proportions.The results of the comparative analysis demonstrated that n-hexane/ethyl acetate(4∶1,V/V)was the optimized eluent.Based on the obtained results,n-hexane extraction and GCB purification combined with silica SPE were used to isolate GSM,MIB,IPMP and IBMP from fish and the method was validated.It was found that the method showed good linearity in the range of 0.5-200 ng/mL,and with detection limits of 0.6 μg/kg for GSM and MIB,0.2 μg/kg for IPMP and IBMP.The limits of quantitation(LOQ)were 1.0 μg/kg for GSM and MIB,0.6 μg/kg for IPMP and IBMP.Good recoveries(77.5%-112.0%)and relative standard deviations(1.56%-9.42%)were also obtained.The use of silica SPE greatly mitigated the issue that the off-flavor compounds were easily lost in the gas blowing concentration process.There was no cross contamination in this method because the sample pretreatments were conducted separately,which was different with the most commonly used HS-SPME method for detecting semi-volatile substances.The sensitivity of this method was high enough to produce good quantitative results below the odor thresholds of the examined off-flavor compounds.
5.Effect of endometrial thickness on obstetric and neonatal outcomes of monoparous pregnancy in fresh cleavage-embryo transfer
Li-juan SUN ; Jia-ping PAN ; Shan-shan LIANG ; Mei-yuan HUANG ; Kai-li ZHU ; Xiao-ming TENG ; Hai-xia WU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):63-70
Objective To investigate the association of endometrial thickness(EMT)with obstetric and neonatal outcomes of monoparous pregnancy in fresh cleavage embryos transfer.Methods A total of 1 845 patients of monoparous pregnancy after fresh cleavage embryos transfer cycles from Jan 2016 to Mar 2022 at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital,Tongji Universtiy were analyzed retrospectively.Patients were categorized into three groups by EMT on transferation day:≤8 mm(group A),8-14 mm(group B)and≥14 mm(group C).The primary outcomes were preterm birth(PTB),birth weight and birth weight z-score,small-for-gestation age,large-for-gestation age,very low birth weight,low birth weight and macrosomia.The second outcomes were pregnancy and perinatal complications.The relationship between EMT and adverse neonatal outcomes was estimated by Logistic regression analysis.Results The rate of ectopic pregnancy was increased significantly in group A.No significant differences were found among the three groups in gestation age,birth weight,birth weight z-score,PTB,small for gestation age,large for gestation age,low birth weight,very low birth weight and macrosomia.Compared with group B,the odds of adverse neonatal outcomes did not show significant differences before and after adjustment in both group A and group C by Logistic regression analysis.Conclusion Thinner EMT in fresh cleavage embryos transfer is associated with higher rate of ectopic pregnancy,while it is not independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.
6.The impact of admission modes on the reperfusion time and short-term prognosis of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Ji-yi LIN ; Wei-mei OU ; Wei-wei HUANG ; Yan WANG ; Shao-qing LIN ; Yuan CHEN ; Bin WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(8):447-453
Objective To explore the impact of admission modes on the reperfusion time and short-term prognosis of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods 497 patients who visited the Chest Pain Center of Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2023 to November 2024 and were diagnosed with STEMI were included.All patients received direct percutaneous coronary intervention.According to admission modes,the patients were divided into the self-referral group(122 cases),emergency medical service group(EMS)(51 cases)and transfer PCI group(324 cases).The basic characteristics,reperfusion time,complications between group were compared.Results The age of the patients in this study was(58.64±13.62)years old,and there were 423 male cases(85.11%).Compared with the self-referral group and the EMS group,the time of door-wire in transfer PCI group was shorter[35(29,45)min vs.43(35,53)min vs.43(33,48)min,P<0.001],but the time of first medical contact-wire was longer[123(80,192)min vs.43(35,52)min vs.57(51,76)min,P<0.001].Compared with the self-referral group and the transfer PCI group,the time of symptom-to-first medical contact and the time of symptom-to-wire in EMS group were both shorter,which were[55(32,136)min vs.185(116,360)min vs.120(60,236)min,P<0.001]and[136(101,188)min vs.228(169,413)min vs.282(190,400)min,P<0.001].The incidence of infections in the transfer PCI group was lower than that in the self-referral group(12.65%vs.22.95%,P<0.05).Conclusions To comprehensively enhance the treatment effect,it is necessary to prioritize the promotion and continuous optimization of the response process of EMS,simultaneously strengthen the standardized collaboration of referral,and enhance the identification ability of STEMI through public education to reduce the delay of self-referral patients..
7.Effect of endometrial thickness on obstetric and neonatal outcomes of monoparous pregnancy in fresh cleavage-embryo transfer
Li-juan SUN ; Jia-ping PAN ; Shan-shan LIANG ; Mei-yuan HUANG ; Kai-li ZHU ; Xiao-ming TENG ; Hai-xia WU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):63-70
Objective To investigate the association of endometrial thickness(EMT)with obstetric and neonatal outcomes of monoparous pregnancy in fresh cleavage embryos transfer.Methods A total of 1 845 patients of monoparous pregnancy after fresh cleavage embryos transfer cycles from Jan 2016 to Mar 2022 at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital,Tongji Universtiy were analyzed retrospectively.Patients were categorized into three groups by EMT on transferation day:≤8 mm(group A),8-14 mm(group B)and≥14 mm(group C).The primary outcomes were preterm birth(PTB),birth weight and birth weight z-score,small-for-gestation age,large-for-gestation age,very low birth weight,low birth weight and macrosomia.The second outcomes were pregnancy and perinatal complications.The relationship between EMT and adverse neonatal outcomes was estimated by Logistic regression analysis.Results The rate of ectopic pregnancy was increased significantly in group A.No significant differences were found among the three groups in gestation age,birth weight,birth weight z-score,PTB,small for gestation age,large for gestation age,low birth weight,very low birth weight and macrosomia.Compared with group B,the odds of adverse neonatal outcomes did not show significant differences before and after adjustment in both group A and group C by Logistic regression analysis.Conclusion Thinner EMT in fresh cleavage embryos transfer is associated with higher rate of ectopic pregnancy,while it is not independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.
8.Phase changes and quantity-quality transfer of raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction of Ostreae Concha (Ostrea rivularis).
Hong-Yi ZHANG ; Jing-Wei ZHOU ; Jia-Wen LIU ; Wen-Bo FEI ; Shi-Ru HUANG ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Chong-Yang LI ; Fei-Fei LI ; Qiao-Ling MA ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; You-Ping LIU ; Shi-Lin CHEN ; Lin CHEN ; Hong-Ping CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1209-1223
The phase changes and quantity-quality transfer of 17 batches of Ostreae Concha(Ostrea rivularis) during the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process were analyzed. The content of calcium carbonate(CaCO_3), the main component, was determined by chemical titration, and the extract yield and transfer rate were calculated. The CaCO_3 content in the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction was 94.39%-98.80%, 95.03%-99.22%, and 84.58%-90.47%, respectively. The process of raw material to calcined decoction pieces showed the yield range of 96.85% to 98.55% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 96.92% to 99.27%. The process of calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction showed the extract yield range of 2.86% to 5.48% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 2.59% to 5.13%. The results of X-ray fluorescence(XRF) assay showed that the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction mainly contained Ca, Na, Mg, Si, Br, Cl, Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, and K. The chemometric results showed an increase in the relative content of Cr, Fe, and Si from raw material to calcined decoction pieces and an increase in the relative content of Mg, Al, Br, K, Cl, and Na from calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was employed to establish XRD characteristic patterns of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The XRD results showed that the main phase of all three was calcite, and no transformation of crystalline form or generation of new phase was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was employed to establish the FTIR characteristic spectra of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The FTIR results showed that the raw material had internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, and CO■ groups. Due to the loss of organic matter components after calcination, no information about the vibrations of C-H, C=O, and C-O groups was observed in the spectra of calcined decoction pieces and standard decoction. In summary, this study elucidated the quantity-quality transfer and phase changes in the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process by determining the CaCO_3 content, calculating the extract yield and transfer rate, and comparing the element changes, FTIR characteristic spectra, and XRD characteristic pattern. The results were reasonable and reliable, laying a foundation for the subsequent process research and quality control of the formula granules of calcined Ostreae Concha(O. rivularis Gould), and providing ideas and methods for the quality control of the whole process of raw material-decoction pieces-standard decoction-formula granules of Ostreae Concha and other testacean traditional Chinese medicine.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
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Calcium Carbonate/analysis*
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Quality Control
9.Tumor Microenvironment Polyamines Inhibit T Cell Antitumor Activity
Yuan-Bao AI ; Xue-Mei HUANG ; Sen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):1986-1997
Tumor immunotherapy has emerged as the fourth major therapeutic modality, following surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Unlike traditional treatments that primarily target tumor cells directly, immunotherapy harnesses the body’s immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. Over the past decade, various immunotherapeutic strategies have been developed, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, cancer vaccines, and cytokine-based therapies. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) poses a significant obstacle to the effectiveness of these treatments. Polyamines—including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine—are polycationic metabolites that often accumulate abnormally in the TME and act as critical immunoregulatory molecules. T cells play a central role in antitumor immunity, yet their function is frequently influenced by immunoregulatory factors within the TME. Elevated polyamine levels in the TME have been implicated in dampening antitumor T cell responses, thereby facilitating tumor immune evasion. Polyamines in the TME originate from both tumor cells and tumor-associated immune cells. Tumor cells often overexpress the oncogene Myc, which drives the upregulation of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes, resulting in excessive intracellular polyamine production. Additionally, M2-polarized tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) contribute to polyamine accumulation by upregulating arginase-I (Arg-I), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arginine into ornithine—a key precursor in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway. These combined sources lead to sustained polyamine enrichment in the TME, contributing to immune dysfunction and supporting tumor progression. Moreover, polyamines indirectly affect T cell activity by modulating macrophage polarization and directly suppress tumor cell apoptosis, further promoting an immunosuppressive environment. This review highlights the multifaceted roles of polyamines in modulating tumor-infiltrating T cell function, with a particular focus on their influence on CD4+ T cell differentiation,CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity, and immune checkpoint molecule expression. Recent studies suggest that polyamines suppress CD4+ T cell activation and differentiation by modulating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Additionally, polyamines can impair T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and promote immune evasion through the upregulation of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells. These effects collectively contribute to weakened antitumor T cell responses. Polyamine blocking therapy (PBT), which primarily targets polyamine biosynthesis and transport, has emerged as a novel adjunctive immunotherapeutic strategy in cancer treatment. By reducing polyamine levels in the TME, PBT restores T cell effector functions and alleviates immunosuppression. Notably, studies have demonstrated that combining PBT with ICIs produces synergistic antitumor effects and may overcome resistance to ICI monotherapy. Although research has revealed the inhibitory effects of polyamines on T cell immune function, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Moreover, due to compensatory mechanisms employed by tumor cells to maintain polyamine homeostasis, multi-targeted approaches may be necessary to achieve safe and effective therapeutic outcomes. Future PBT strategies may benefit from the integration of multi-omics technologies and the development of nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems, which could collectively enhance their specificity, efficacy, and applicability in cancer immunotherapy. This review systematically elucidates the immunomodulatory effects of polyamines on T cell function within the TME and provides theoretical support and novel insights for the advancement of tumor immunotherapeutic strategies.
10.Impact of Wenyang lishui formula on ventricular remodeling in rats with pulmonary hypertension-induced right heart failure
Sijian FENG ; Yan HUANG ; Aimin XING ; Mei YUAN ; Yafang LIU ; Weiming WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(20):2531-2536
OBJECTIVE To discuss the impact of Wenyang lishui formula on ventricular remodeling in rats with pulmonary hypertension-induced right heart failure (RHF) based on the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway. METHODS Ten rats were randomly selected as the control group. The remaining 63 rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline to establish the pulmonary hypertension-induced RHF model. The 50 rats that successfully underwent the model establishment were randomly divided into the RHF group, low-dose group of Wenyang lishui formula (4.25 g/kg), high-dose group of the Wenyang lishui formula (17.00 g/kg), furosemide group (20 mg/kg), and high-dose group of Wenyang lishui formula+ Hippo/YAP signaling pathway activator group (17.00 g/kg of Δ Wenyang lishui formula+16 mg/kg of PY-60), with 10 rats in each group. The rats in each group were given the corresponding drug solution or normal saline by gavage or/andtail vein injection, once a day, for 4 consecutive weeks. During the experiment, the general conditions of the rats in each group were observed; after the last administration, the right ventricular diameter, right atrial diameter, end-diastolic volume, pulmonary artery blood flow acceleration time (PAAT) and its ratio to ejection time (ET) (PAAT/ET), pulmonary artery pressure and its ratio to pulmonary arterial flow velocity (pulmonary artery pressure/velocity) were measured. The plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide and angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) were detected. The pathological changes of the right ventricular tissue were observed, and the collagen volume fraction, the phosphorylation levels of the large tumor suppressor 1/2 (LATS1/2) and YAP, and the protein expression of the transcriptional coactivator of PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) were also detected. RESULTS Compared with the RHF group, the rats in Wenyang lishui formula low-dose and high-dose groups showed improved hair color, movement, diet, and mental state. The atrophy of right ventricular myocardial cells, the increase of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition, and hypertrophy of myocardial fibers were significantly alleviated. The right ventricular internal diameter, right atrial internal diameter, end-diastolic volume, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery pressure/velocity, the plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide and AngⅡ , collagen volume fraction, the phosphorylation level of YAP and protein expression of TAZ were significantly decreased, while the PAAT, PAAT/ET and the phosphorylation level of LATS1/2 were significantly increased (P<0.05). PY-60 could significantly reverse the improvement effects of high-dose Wenyang lishui formula on the above quantitative indicators (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Wenyang lishui formula can restore the right heart function of pulmonary hypertension-induced RHF rats, reduce their pulmonary artery pressure, alleviate the pathological changes in their cardiac tissues, and the above effects may be related to the activation of Hippo expression and the inhibition of YAP phosphorylation.

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