1.Construction and Practice of AI-Based Triadic Interactive Teaching Model for Surgical Animal Surgery
Kaikai MAO ; Xiu LI ; Chen ZHOU ; Jianfeng SANG ; Meng WANG ; Guang ZHANG ; Xiaozhi ZHAO
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(2):288-296
ObjectiveIn the context of the digital transformation of education, this study aims to construct a triadic interactive teaching model for surgical animal surgery in clinical medicine using modern information technology. It explores the effectiveness of different teaching methods in improving students' practical skills, aseptic awareness, and teamwork abilities, providing a reference for the reform of clinical practice education. MethodsA quasi-experimental research design was adopted. A total of 80 students from the eight-year clinical medicine program at Nanjing University were selected, including the Class of 2020 (control group, n=40) and the Class of 2021 (experimental group, n=40). The control group received traditional teaching methods, while the experimental group implemented the "Teacher-Student-AI" triadic interactive teaching model. This model utilized a smart teaching platform for personalized pre-class preparation , as well as data-driven post-class review and feedback throughout the entire teaching process. The "assessment indicators and scoring criteria for the surgical animal surgery course" were used to evaluate teaching effectiveness, with independent samples t-tests used for statistical analysis. ResultsPre-course assessments revealed no statistically significant differences in baseline theoretical knowledge or practical skills between the two groups (P>0.05). Upon completion of the course, the experimental group achieved higher scores than the control group across three key dimensions: practical skills (47.98±1.34 vs 46.92±2.51, P=0.022), aseptic awareness (17.84±1.16 vs 16.94±2.29, P=0.029), and teamwork (16.82±1.44 vs 15.95±1.22, P=0.004). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the scores for humane care awareness between the two groups (8.24±0.70 vs 8.16±0.53, P=0.589). ConclusionThe AI-based triadic interactive teaching model can, to some extent, address the limitations of traditional surgical animal surgery education. It plays a positive role in enhancing medical students' surgical skills, aseptic awareness, and collaborative abilities. This model facilitates the transition from traditional to personalized teaching and offers a practical framework for the digital reform of clinical practice education.
2.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
3.The Diversity of Filamentous Morphologies and Magnetic Sensitivity Modulated by Diverse MagR Expression in Bacteria
Ya-Fei CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Xiu-Juan ZHOU ; Meng-Ke WEI ; Tian-Tian CAI ; Pei-Qi HE ; Jun-Feng WANG ; Can XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1439-1456
Objective Magnetoreception, the remarkable ability of diverse animals to sense and utilize the geomagnetic field for orientation and navigation, remains a molecularly unresolved mystery in sensory biology. The putative magnetoreceptor (MagR, previously known as IscA1) is a highly conserved iron-sulfur protein implicated in both magnetoreception and iron metabolism; however, the functional diversity among its cross-species homologs remains poorly understood. Cellular morphology is a key genetically determined trait that can be altered through genetic or environmental modifications—a process known as cell morphology engineering. Constructing engineered cells with specific morphological features and magnetic sensitivity to achieve remote, non-invasive magnetic modulation represents a crucial goal in this field with significant application potential. Therefore, this study aims to systematically investigate the effects of MagR heterologous expression on bacterial morphology and magnetic sensing capabilities, screen for MagR-based magnetically sensitive morphology engineering pathways, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods We systematically screened 28 MagR homologous genes from diverse prokaryotic and animal taxa to evaluate their expression and corresponding phenotypic effects in Escherichia coli (E. coli). To compare the differential magnetic responses among bacteria expressing various recombinant MagR proteins, we utilized high-throughput automated bright-field microscopic imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical characterizations of iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding were performed using Ferrozine colorimetric assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Additionally, 100 mT static magnetic field (SMF) exposure experiments were conducted to assess magnetically tunable phenotypes, while the intrinsic magnetic properties of purified MagR proteins were directly measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Results Our results demonstrated that the heterologous expression of MagR homologs induced varying degrees of bacterial filamentation. From this comprehensive screen, two distinct morphological patterns were identified: hydra (Hydra vulgaris) MagR (hyMagR) promoted uniform cell elongation and filamentation, exhibiting robust magnetic sensitivity manifested as significantly enhanced filamentation under the 100 mT SMF. In contrast, pigeon (Columba livia) MagR (clMagR) induced only low-frequency, extreme filamentation (sporadically exceeding 80 μm) with a relatively weaker magnetic morphological response. Mechanistically, our data unambiguously proved that these phenotypic differences are primarily driven by distinct iron redox preferences rather than total cellular iron accumulation. Specifically, hyMagR preferentially binds ferrous iron (Fe2+), whereas clMagR favors ferric iron (Fe3+) and forms more stable iron-sulfur clusters. Intriguingly, although SQUID magnetometry showed that purified clMagR exhibited approximately five-fold higher mass magnetic susceptibility than hyMagR, its cellular magnetic response was weaker. We hypothesize that the Fe2+-preferred intracellular environment associated with hyMagR overexpression primes the cell for enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction. Exposure to an SMF synergizes with this primed redox state, triggering the bacterial SOS response and upregulating cell division inhibitors to efficiently induce uniform filamentation. Conclusion Our findings identify the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox state as a critical determinant of MagR-mediated morphological remodeling and magnetic responsiveness. This discovery suggests a potential strategy for engineering magnetically responsive cellular systems for synthetic biology applications, and provides a plausible framework, which potentially combines intrinsic protein magnetism with redox-state modulation, for further investigating the evolutionary mechanisms of MagR-mediated magnetoreception.
4.Current status of brucellosis control programmes and Chinese path based on the One Health concept: a review
Kaihui ZHANG ; Fang LUO ; Lei XIU ; Yongzhi WANG ; Jia WANG ; Jingjing LI ; Jian LI ; Wei HU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(4):369-378
Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses globally, which poses serious threats to both global public health and development of animal husbandry. Conventional brucellosis control measures suffer problems of surveillance coordination, regional joint prevention, and policy implementation, which are insufficient to address the challenges of ecological risks and crosshost transmission. The One Health approach allocates interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations to achieve systemic health of humans, animals, and environments, which provides new insights into brucellosis control programmes. This review describes the pathogenic biological characteristics, global epidemiological landscape, and transmission ecology of brucellosis, evaluates the main limitations of current control strategies, summarizes the experiences from successful One Health practices across countries at different stages of development, and proposes the brucellosis control strategy based on the One Health concept with adaptations to the current epidemiology of brucellosis in China, so as to provide the theoretical evidence and practical framework for the national brucellosis control programmes in China, thereby facilitating the effective control and the ultimate elimination of brucellosis.
5.Components and Brain-protective Effect of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra in Improving Ischemic Stroke Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Qizhong JIN ; Jie ZHANG ; Lijuan XIU ; Fan XU ; Lei WANG ; Ning WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the chemical constituents of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra(CRPRR) that cross the blood-brain barrier in rats with ischemic stroke, their brain-protective effects, and their impact on inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and pharmacodynamic experiments. MethodsA focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established in rats via the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) method using intraluminal suture. Neurological function was evaluated using behavioral scoring. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical constituents of CRPRR that crossed the blood-brain barrier and entered the cerebrospinal fluid in MCAO/R model rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham operation group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose CRPRR groups (1.35, 2.7, 5.4 g·kg-1, respectively), and an edaravone group (5 mg·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. The sham and model groups received normal saline, while the treatment groups received the respective doses of CRPRR once daily by gavage for three consecutive weeks. The brain-protective effects of CRPRR were assessed using the Longa five-point scoring method, open field test, Morris water maze, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and transmission electron microscopy. ResultsNine chemical constituents were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid containing CRPRR, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide. Animal experiment results showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group exhibited disordered neuronal arrangement, severe vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, and evident mitochondrial swelling. Chromatin aggregation and peripheralization were also observed. Neurological scores and the number of crossings in the central region were significantly increased (P<0.01), while platform crossings were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and clear infarct areas were present (P<0.01). Serum levels and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all dose groups of CRPRR showed marked improvement in neuronal morphology which was close to the normal level, with mitochondrial swelling alleviated and chromatin distribution more uniform. The medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced neurological scores (P<0.01), while the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups significantly reduced the number of central crossings (P<0.01) and infarct volume (P<0.01), and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) compared with the model group. Furthermore, the medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced TNF-α protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the high-dose group significantly reduced IL-1β and IL-18 protein expression (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study confirmed that CRPRR improves neurological function and alleviates brain tissue damage in MCAO/R rats. Its mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the presence of nine active chemical constituents in cerebrospinal fluid, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide, which are closely related to their brain-protective effects.
6.Components and Brain-protective Effect of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra in Improving Ischemic Stroke Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Qizhong JIN ; Jie ZHANG ; Lijuan XIU ; Fan XU ; Lei WANG ; Ning WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the chemical constituents of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Rubra(CRPRR) that cross the blood-brain barrier in rats with ischemic stroke, their brain-protective effects, and their impact on inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and pharmacodynamic experiments. MethodsA focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established in rats via the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) method using intraluminal suture. Neurological function was evaluated using behavioral scoring. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical constituents of CRPRR that crossed the blood-brain barrier and entered the cerebrospinal fluid in MCAO/R model rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham operation group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose CRPRR groups (1.35, 2.7, 5.4 g·kg-1, respectively), and an edaravone group (5 mg·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. The sham and model groups received normal saline, while the treatment groups received the respective doses of CRPRR once daily by gavage for three consecutive weeks. The brain-protective effects of CRPRR were assessed using the Longa five-point scoring method, open field test, Morris water maze, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and transmission electron microscopy. ResultsNine chemical constituents were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid containing CRPRR, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide. Animal experiment results showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group exhibited disordered neuronal arrangement, severe vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, and evident mitochondrial swelling. Chromatin aggregation and peripheralization were also observed. Neurological scores and the number of crossings in the central region were significantly increased (P<0.01), while platform crossings were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and clear infarct areas were present (P<0.01). Serum levels and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all dose groups of CRPRR showed marked improvement in neuronal morphology which was close to the normal level, with mitochondrial swelling alleviated and chromatin distribution more uniform. The medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced neurological scores (P<0.01), while the low-, medium-, and high-dose groups significantly reduced the number of central crossings (P<0.01) and infarct volume (P<0.01), and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) compared with the model group. Furthermore, the medium- and high-dose groups significantly reduced TNF-α protein expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the high-dose group significantly reduced IL-1β and IL-18 protein expression (P<0.01). ConclusionThis study confirmed that CRPRR improves neurological function and alleviates brain tissue damage in MCAO/R rats. Its mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the presence of nine active chemical constituents in cerebrospinal fluid, namely paeoniflorin, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide G, paeonimetabolin Ⅰ, paeoniflorin derivative, senkyunolide H, benzoylpaeoniflorin, senkyunolide A, and ligustilide, which are closely related to their brain-protective effects.
7.An assessment model for efficacy of autologous CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and relapse or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma risk.
Bin XUE ; Yifan LIU ; Min ZHANG ; Gangfeng XIAO ; Xiu LUO ; Lili ZHOU ; Shiguang YE ; Yan LU ; Wenbin QIAN ; Li WANG ; Ping LI ; Aibin LIANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):108-110
8.COVID-19 outcomes in patients with pre-existing interstitial lung disease: A national multi-center registry-based study in China.
Xinran ZHANG ; Bingbing XIE ; Huilan ZHANG ; Yanhong REN ; Qun LUO ; Junling YANG ; Jiuwu BAI ; Xiu GU ; Hong JIN ; Jing GENG ; Shiyao WANG ; Xuan HE ; Dingyuan JIANG ; Jiarui HE ; Sa LUO ; Shi SHU ; Huaping DAI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1126-1128
9.Optimization of fermentation conditions in shake flask of JA20-1, a VOCs-producing biocontrol bacterium and evaluation of its biocontrol effect against Botrytis cinerea of ginseng.
Yu-Ze ZHANG ; Yan-Cong HU ; Xiu-Xiu WANG ; Cong ZHANG ; Zhong-Hua QU ; Bao-Hui LU ; Xue WANG ; Jie GAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1748-1757
Bacillus mycoides JA20-1 was screened and identified as a biocontrol bacterium with a high capacity for producing volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the laboratory. This strain had significant inhibitory effects on various postharvest disease pathogens in crops, such as Botrytis cinerea, as well as soil-borne disease pathogens in ginseng, such as Sclerotinia ginseng. In order to accelerate its industrialization process, in this study, single-factor experiments and response surface optimization methods were used. The fermentation medium and fermentation conditions in the shake flask of strain JA20-1 were systematically optimized by using cell production volume as the response variable. Meanwhile, the biocontrol effect of JA20-1 on B. cinerea of ginseng during the storage period was evaluated by using the method of fumigation in a dry dish in vitro. The results indicated that the optimal fermentation medium formulation for strain JA20-1 was as follows: 1% yeast paste, 1% soluble starch, 0.25% K_2HPO_4·3H_2O, and 0.2% NaCl. The optimal fermentation conditions in the shake flask were vaccination size of 3%, culture volume of 50 mL in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, pH of 6.2, fermentation temperature of 34 ℃, shaking speed of 180 r·min~(-1), and incubation time of 18 hours. The bacteria count in the fermentation broth under these conditions reached 2.17 × 10~8 CFU·mL~(-1), which was 6.58 times higher than before. The average control efficacy of the fermentation broth on Botrytis cinerea of ginseng under in vitro fumigation reached 61.70% and 84.04% respectively, when 20 mL and 30 mL per dish were used. The research provided theoretical support and technical foundation for the development and utilization of Bacillus mycoides JA20-1 and the biocontrol of soil-borne diseases in ginseng and postharvest diseases in crops.
Botrytis/drug effects*
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Fermentation
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Panax/microbiology*
;
Plant Diseases/prevention & control*
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Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism*
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Bacillus/physiology*
;
Pest Control, Biological/methods*
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Biological Control Agents/metabolism*
;
Culture Media/chemistry*
10.Development of DUS testing guidelines for new Atractylodes lancea varieties.
Cheng-Cai ZHANG ; Ming QIN ; Xiu-Zhi GUO ; Zi-Hua ZHANG ; Hao-Kuan ZHANG ; Xiao-Yu DAI ; Sheng WANG ; Lan-Ping GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1515-1523
Atractylodes lancea is a perennial herbaceous plant of Asteraceae, with rhizomes for medical use. However, A. lancea plants from different habitats have great variability, and the germplasm resources of A. lancea are unclear and mixed during production. Therefore, it is urgent to protect new varieties of A. lancea. The distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing of new plant varieties is the foundation of plant variety protection, and the DUS testing guidelines are the technical basis for variety approval agencies to conduct DUS testing. In this study, the phenotypic traits of 94 germplasm accessions of A. lancea were investigated considering the breeding and variety characteristics of A. lancea in China. The traits were classified and described, and 24 traits were preliminarily determined, including 20 basic traits that must be tested and four traits selected to be tested. The 20 basic traits included 3 quality traits, 5 false quality traits, and 12 quantitative traits, corresponding to 1 plant traits, 2 stem traits, 8 leaf traits, 6 flower traits, and 3 seed traits. The measurement ranges and coefficients of variation of eight quantitative traits were determined, on the basis of which the grading criteria and codes of the traits were determined and assigned. The guidelines has guiding significance for the trait evaluation, utilization, and breeding of new varieties of A. lancea.
Atractylodes/growth & development*
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China
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Phenotype
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Guidelines as Topic
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Plant Breeding

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