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Griñán-Ferré C, Bellver-Sanchis A, Guerrero A, Pallàs M. Advancing personalized medicine in neurodegenerative diseases: The role of epigenetics and pharmacoepigenomics in pharmacotherapy. Pharmacol Res 2024; 205:107247. [PMID: 38834164 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
About 80 % of brain disorders have a genetic basis. The pathogenesis of most neurodegenerative diseases is associated with a myriad of genetic defects, epigenetic alterations (DNA methylation, histone/chromatin remodeling, miRNA dysregulation), and environmental factors. The emergence of new sequencing technologies and tools to study the epigenome has led to identifying predictive biomarkers for earlier diagnosis, opening up the possibility of prophylactical interventions. As a result, advances in pharmacogenetics and pharmacoepigenomics now allow for personalized treatments based on the profile of each patient and the specific genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved. This Review highlights the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases and the variability in patient responses to pharmacotherapy, emphasizing the influence of genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs used to treat those conditions. We specifically discuss the potential modulatory effect of several genetic polymorphisms associated with an increased risk of developing different neurodegenerative diseases. We explore genetic and genomic technologies and the potential of analyzing individual-specific drug metabolism to predict and influence drug response and associated clinical outcomes. We also provide insights into the mechanism of action of the drugs under investigation and their potential impact on disease-modifying pathways. Finally, the Review underscores the great potential of this field to enhance the effectiveness and safety of drug treatments through personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Griñán-Ferré
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institut de Neurociències-Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Joan XXIII, 27, Barcelona 08028, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aina Bellver-Sanchis
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institut de Neurociències-Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Joan XXIII, 27, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Ana Guerrero
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institut de Neurociències-Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Joan XXIII, 27, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Institut de Neurociències-Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Joan XXIII, 27, Barcelona 08028, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Pisanu C, Meloni A, Severino G, Squassina A. Genetic and Epigenetic Markers of Lithium Response. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1555. [PMID: 35163479 PMCID: PMC8836013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The mood stabilizer lithium represents a cornerstone in the long term treatment of bipolar disorder (BD), although with substantial interindividual variability in clinical response. This variability appears to be modulated by genetics, which has been significantly investigated in the last two decades with some promising findings. In addition, recently, the interest in the role of epigenetics has grown significantly, since the exploration of these mechanisms might allow the elucidation of the gene-environment interactions and explanation of missing heritability. In this article, we provide an overview of the most relevant findings regarding the pharmacogenomics and pharmacoepigenomics of lithium response in BD. We describe the most replicated findings among candidate gene studies, results from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as well as post-GWAS approaches supporting an association between high genetic load for schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and poor lithium response. Next, we describe results from studies investigating epigenetic mechanisms, such as changes in methylation or noncoding RNA levels, which play a relevant role as regulators of gene expression. Finally, we discuss challenges related to the search for the molecular determinants of lithium response and potential future research directions to pave the path towards a biomarker guided approach in lithium treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pisanu
- Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.S.); (A.S.)
- Section of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Meloni
- Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Giovanni Severino
- Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessio Squassina
- Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.S.); (A.S.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada
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Dagra A, Barpujari A, Bauer SZ, Olowofela BO, Mohamed S, McGrath K, Robinson C, Robicsek S, Snyder A, Lucke-Wold B. Epigenetics of Neurotrauma. NEUROLOGY (CHICAGO, ILL.) 2022; 2:42-47. [PMID: 36507115 PMCID: PMC9732507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic changes have been linked to a host of disease states. Besides the physiological function of epigenetic changes in regulating cellular function, recent data indicates that key changes in epigenetic activity also play an important pathophysiologic role following neurotrauma specifically. Such manifestations occur through the activation or silencing of different genes. Histone methylation has emerged as a critical component of this process and can be selectively modulated after injury. Pre-clinical studies have resulted in key discoveries regarding specific methylation sites of interest. This focused review highlights some of these early findings and their relationship to clinical outcomes. These findings suggest areas of future investigation and discovery in the quest to develop ideal biomarkers and methods to utilize them in developing therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dagra
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - A Barpujari
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, USA
| | - SZ Bauer
- College of Medicine, University of Nevada, USA
| | | | - S Mohamed
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - K McGrath
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, USA
| | - C Robinson
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, and Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Neuroresilience Center, University of Florida, USA
| | - S Robicsek
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, USA
| | - A Snyder
- Department of Neuropsychology, University of Florida, USA
| | - B Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, USA
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UTX/KDM6A deletion promotes the recovery of spinal cord injury by epigenetically triggering intrinsic neural regeneration. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 20:337-349. [PMID: 33553483 PMCID: PMC7820127 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Interrupted axons that fail to regenerate mainly cause poor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). How neurons epigenetically respond to injury determines the intrinsic growth ability of axons. However, the mechanism underlying epigenetic regulation of axonal regeneration post-SCI remains largely unknown. In this study, we elucidated the role of the epigenetic regulatory network involving ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat on chromosome X (UTX)/microRNA-24 (miR-24)/NeuroD1 in axonal regeneration and functional recovery in mice following SCI. Our results showed that UTX was significantly increased post-SCI and repressed axonal regeneration in vitro. However, downregulation of UTX remarkably promoted axonal regeneration. Furthermore, miR-24 was increased post-SCI and positively regulated by UTX. miR-24 also inhibited axonal regeneration. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) indicated that UTX binds to the miR-24 promoter and regulates miR-24 expression. Genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis suggested that NeuroD1 is a potential downstream target of UTX/miR-24. A dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-24 binds to NeuroD1; moreover, it represses axonal regeneration by negatively regulating the expression of NeuroD1 via modulation of microtubule stability. UTX deletion in vivo prominently promoted axonal regeneration and improved functional recovery post-SCI, and silencing NeuroD1 restored UTX function. Our findings indicate that UTX could be a potential target in SCI.
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Bertogliat MJ, Morris-Blanco KC, Vemuganti R. Epigenetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and acute brain injury. Neurochem Int 2020; 133:104642. [PMID: 31838024 PMCID: PMC8074401 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are emerging as major players in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and susceptibility to acute brain injury. DNA and histone modifications act together with non-coding RNAs to form a complex gene expression machinery that adapts the brain to environmental stressors and injury response. These modifications influence cell-level operations like neurogenesis and DNA repair to large, intricate processes such as brain patterning, memory formation, motor function and cognition. Thus, epigenetic imbalance has been shown to influence the progression of many neurological disorders independent of aberrations in the genetic code. This review aims to highlight ways in which epigenetics applies to several commonly researched neurodegenerative diseases and forms of acute brain injury as well as shed light on the benefits of epigenetics-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario J Bertogliat
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kahlilia C Morris-Blanco
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raghu Vemuganti
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.
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Post-translational histone modifications and their interaction with sex influence normal brain development and elaboration of neuropsychiatric disorders. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1865:1968-1981. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Helgudottir SS, Lichota J, Burkhart A, Moos T. Hepcidin Mediates Transcriptional Changes in Ferroportin mRNA in Differentiated Neuronal-Like PC12 Cells Subjected to Iron Challenge. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:2362-2374. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1241-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Pisanu C, Katsila T, Patrinos GP, Squassina A. Recent trends on the role of epigenomics, metabolomics and noncoding RNAs in rationalizing mood stabilizing treatment. Pharmacogenomics 2018; 19:129-143. [DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2017-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mood stabilizers are the cornerstone in treatment of mood disorders, but their use is characterized by high interindividual variability. This feature has stimulated intensive research to identify predictive biomarkers of response and disentangle the molecular bases of their clinical efficacy. Nevertheless, findings from studies conducted so far have only explained a small proportion of the observed variability, suggesting that factors other than DNA variants could be involved. A growing body of research has been focusing on the role of epigenetics and metabolomics in response to mood stabilizers, especially lithium salts. Studies from these approaches have provided new insights into the molecular networks and processes involved in the mechanism of action of mood stabilizers, promoting a systems-level multiomics synergy. In this article, we reviewed the literature investigating the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms, noncoding RNAs and metabolomic modifications in bipolar disorder and the mechanism of action and clinical efficacy of mood stabilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pisanu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Theodora Katsila
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, Patras, Greece
| | - George P Patrinos
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, Patras, Greece
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alessio Squassina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Morales-Lara D, De-la-Peña C, Murillo-Rodríguez E. Dad's Snoring May Have Left Molecular Scars in Your DNA: the Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Sleep Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:2713-2724. [PMID: 28155201 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0409-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The sleep-wake cycle is a biological phenomena under the orchestration of neurophysiological, neurochemical, neuroanatomical, and genetical mechanisms. Moreover, homeostatic and circadian processes participate in the regulation of sleep across the light-dark period. Further complexity of the understanding of the genesis of sleep engages disturbances which have been characterized and classified in a variety of sleep-wake cycle disorders. The most prominent sleep alterations include insomnia as well as excessive daytime sleepiness. On the other side, several human diseases have been linked with direct changes in DNA, such as chromatin configuration, genomic imprinting, DNA methylation, histone modifications (acetylation, methylation, ubiquitylation or sumoylation, etc.), and activating RNA molecules that are transcribed from DNA but not translated into proteins. Epigenetic theories primarily emphasize the interaction between the environment and gene expression. According to these approaches, the environment to which mammals are exposed has a significant role in determining the epigenetic modifications occurring in chromosomes that ultimately would influence not only development but also the descendants' physiology and behavior. Thus, what makes epigenetics intriguing is that, unlike genetic variation, modifications in DNA are altered directly by the environment and, in some cases, these epigenetic changes may be inherited by future generations. Thus, it is likely that epigenetic phenomena might contribute to the homeostatic and/or circadian control of sleep and, possibly, have an undescribed link with sleep disorders. An exciting new horizon of research is arising between sleep and epigenetics since it represents the relevance of the study of how the genome learns from its experiences and modulates behavior, including sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Morales-Lara
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias Moleculares e Integrativas, Escuela de Medicina, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac Mayab, Carretera Mérida-Progreso Km. 15.5, A.P. 96 Cordemex, C.P. 97310, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.,Grupo de Investigación en Envejecimiento, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac Mayab, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.,Intercontinental Neuroscience Research Group, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Clelia De-la-Peña
- Unidad de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A.C, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Eric Murillo-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias Moleculares e Integrativas, Escuela de Medicina, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac Mayab, Carretera Mérida-Progreso Km. 15.5, A.P. 96 Cordemex, C.P. 97310, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. .,Grupo de Investigación en Envejecimiento, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac Mayab, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. .,Intercontinental Neuroscience Research Group, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. .,Grupo de Investigación Desarrollos Tecnológicos para la Salud, División de Ingeniería y Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Anáhuac Mayab, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
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10
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Archer T, Kostrzewa RM. Exercise and Nutritional Benefits in PD: Rodent Models and Clinical Settings. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2016; 29:333-351. [PMID: 26728168 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2015_409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Physical exercise offers a highly effective health-endowering activity as has been evidence using rodent models of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is a particularly useful intervention in individuals employed in sedentary occupations or afflicted by a neurodegenerative disorder, such as PD. The several links between exercise and quality-of-life, disorder progression and staging, risk factors and symptoms-biomarkers in PD all endower a promise for improved prognosis. Nutrition provides a strong determinant for disorder vulnerability and prognosis with fish oils and vegetables with a mediterranean diet offering both protection and resistance. Three factors determining the effects of exercise on disorder severity of patients may be presented: (i) Exercise effects upon motor impairment, gait, posture and balance, (ii) Exercise reduction of oxidative stress, stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and up-regulation of autophagy, and (iii) Exercise stimulation of dopamine (DA) neurochemistry and trophic factors. Running-wheel performance, as measured by distance run by individual mice from different treatment groups, was related to DA-integrity, indexed by striatal DA levels. Finally, both nutrition and exercise may facilitate positive epigenetic outcomes, such as lowering the dosage of L-Dopa required for a therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Archer
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Richard M Kostrzewa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37604, USA
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Cacabelos R, Torrellas C. Epigenetics of Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Pharmacogenomics and Drug Response. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:30483-543. [PMID: 26703582 PMCID: PMC4691177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161226236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic variability (DNA methylation/demethylation, histone modifications, microRNA regulation) is common in physiological and pathological conditions. Epigenetic alterations are present in different tissues along the aging process and in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Epigenetics affect life span and longevity. AD-related genes exhibit epigenetic changes, indicating that epigenetics might exert a pathogenic role in dementia. Epigenetic modifications are reversible and can potentially be targeted by pharmacological intervention. Epigenetic drugs may be useful for the treatment of major problems of health (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disorders, brain disorders). The efficacy and safety of these and other medications depend upon the efficiency of the pharmacogenetic process in which different clusters of genes (pathogenic, mechanistic, metabolic, transporter, pleiotropic) are involved. Most of these genes are also under the influence of the epigenetic machinery. The information available on the pharmacoepigenomics of most drugs is very limited; however, growing evidence indicates that epigenetic changes are determinant in the pathogenesis of many medical conditions and in drug response and drug resistance. Consequently, pharmacoepigenetic studies should be incorporated in drug development and personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Cacabelos
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science and Genomic Medicine, 15165-Bergondo, Corunna, Spain.
- Chair of Genomic Medicine, Camilo José Cela University, 28692-Madrid, Spain.
| | - Clara Torrellas
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science and Genomic Medicine, 15165-Bergondo, Corunna, Spain.
- Chair of Genomic Medicine, Camilo José Cela University, 28692-Madrid, Spain.
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