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Zhang C, Liu Z, Sun K, Zhao J, Huang H, Zhang C. Association of serum folic acid levels in response to fasting blood glucose in early pregnancy with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A retrospective cohort study. Nutrition 2024; 122:112383. [PMID: 38422754 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE With increasingly prevalent folic acid consumption in early pregnancy, concerns about its potentially negative effect on maternal metabolism have been raised. Recent findings regarding folic acid levels in the first trimester and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of folic acid status in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus as well as examine whether glucose levels can be modulated by folic acid status during the same first trimester. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study based on 27 128 Chinese pregnant women who registered during their first prenatal visit from January 2015 to December 2019. Serum folic acid and fasting blood glucose concentrations were measured during the 9th to 13th gestational weeks. Binary logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratios of gestational diabetes mellitus by using the serum folic acid levels quartiles with adjustment for major confounders. To investigate the potential effect of modifying key risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus, we established subgroups, in which analyses were stratified by age (<25, 25-29, 30-34, and ≥35 y), parity (nulliparous and parous), prepregnancy body mass index (< 18.5, 18.5-23.9, and ≥ 24 kg/m2), and family history of diabetes (yes and no). RESULTS The positive association between maternal folate concentrations and fasting blood glucose was observed: the risk for hyperglycemia was higher in those in the middle (Q3) and higher (Q4) quartiles compared with those in Q1 and Q2. A higher risk for gestational diabetes mellitus was found in hyperglycemia of early pregnant women with high folate concentrations (Q3: odds ratio = 5.63; 95% CI, 4.56-6.95, and Q4: odds ratio = 5.57; 95% CI, 4.68-6.64) compared with normal fasting glucose mothers with folate concentrations in Q1 and Q2 after accounting for multiple covariables. Similar patterns were observed for different subgroups. Restricted cubic spline plots had a positive correlation of serum folic acid level with fasting blood glucose concentration as well as risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in a nonlinear pattern, with 32.5 nmol/L as the cutoff point for folic acid level. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the importance of maintaining an appropriate folic acid concentration for preserving a lower risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, especially in women with relatively higher blood glucose in early pregnancy. Additionally, folic acid concentration > 32.5 nmol/L may be considered a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus. This research suggested that folic acid levels should be monitored during the first trimester from the first prenatal checkup to prevent adverse effects of excessive folic acid intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjie Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaonan Liu
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Kuan Sun
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine
| | - Junfei Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hefeng Huang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Reproduction and Development, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Mujica-Coopman MF, Garmendia ML, Corvalán C. Iron, folic acid, and vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: Did pregnant Chilean women meet the recommendations during the COVID pandemic? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293745. [PMID: 37917771 PMCID: PMC10621940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal micronutrient supplementation has been defined as a priority for Low-and Middle-income Countries (LMICs). However, it is also relevant to assess its performance in middle-high income countries, such as Chile, particularly given the post-pandemic food insecurity context. AIM To assess the use (frequency and doses) of daily recommended supplementation (iron (15-30 mg), folic acid (FA) (400-800 μg/day), and vitamin (VD) (400 IU)) in a sample of Chilean pregnant women. METHODS In 1, 507 pregnant women selected from public health care registries of the Southeast area of Santiago-Chile, we collected maternal, supplement use, sociodemographic, and nutritional information at the first (<15 weeks), second (24-28 weeks), and third trimesters (32-36 weeks) of gestation by using a researcher administer online questionnaire. RESULTS The median (IQR) age of women was 29 (25-33) years. Pre-conceptional supplementation was rare (24%), but it reached >93% in the first trimester; thereafter supplement use decreased to 79% in the second and 84% in the third trimesters, particularly in women with lower income (p<0.05), lower education (p<0.05), and with excess weight (p<0.05). Use of iron supplements in the first trimester was rare (<21%) as well as the use of VD supplements across pregnancy (<31%). Most FA (70%) and iron (80%) supplement users, exceeded the recommended daily dose while ~40% of VD users took less than the recommended dose. CONCLUSIONS In this sample of Chilean women, timely initiation of FA, iron, and VD supplementation was low and doses were not aligned with the recommendations. Strengthening adherence and quality of micronutrient supplementation programs delivered through public primary care could benefit particularly the most vulnerable women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Luisa Garmendia
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Corvalán
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Xu R, Liu S, Zhong Z, Guo Y, Xia T, Chen Y, Ding L. The Influence of Maternal Folate Status on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:2766. [PMID: 37375669 DOI: 10.3390/nu15122766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal folate has been shown to relate to the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the existing studies have yielded inconsistent conclusions. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the association between maternal folate status and the risk of GDM. Observational studies up to 31 October 2022 were included. Study characteristics, the means and standard deviations (SDs) of folate levels (serum/red blood cell (RBC)), the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the time for folate measurement were extracted. Compared with the non-GDM group, serum and RBC folate levels in women with GDM were significantly higher. Our subgroup analysis demonstrated that serum folate levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than in the non-GDM group only in the second trimester. RBC folate levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than in the non-GDM group in the first and second trimesters. Taking serum/RBC folate levels as continuous variables, the adjusted odds ratios of GDM risk showed that increased serum folate concentration rather than RBC folate elevated the risk of GDM. In the descriptive analysis, five studies reported high serum folate levels increased GDM risk, whereas the other five showed no association between serum folate levels and GDM risk. Moreover, the rest three studies pointed out high RBC folate levels increased GDM risk. Altogether we found that the risk of GDM is associated with high serum/plasma and RBC folate levels. Future studies should determine the recommended folic acid cutoff balancing the risk for GDM and fetal malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruhan Xu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Shenhao Liu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Zhiqi Zhong
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yifei Guo
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Tianqi Xia
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Yanyan Chen
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Lingling Ding
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
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Chibireva M, Szoke D, Borille S, Rovegno L, Panteghini M. Association of maternal folate and B12 vitamin status with gestational diabetes mellitus: still an open issue. Clin Chim Acta 2023; 544:117307. [PMID: 37019326 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is conflicting evidence about the role of folate and B12in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) onset. The association of vitamin status with GDM was therefore revalued, also measuring the B12active form holotranscobalamin. METHODS 677 women were evaluated at 24-28 weeks of gestation when OGTT was carried out. The 'one-step' strategy was employed for GDM diagnosis. Odds ratio (OR) of having GDM was estimated to quantify the association with vitamin levels. RESULTS 180 women (26.6%) had GDM. They were older (median, 34.6 vs. 33.3 years, p=0.019) and had higher body mass index (BMI) (25.8 vs. 24.1 kg/m2, p<0.001). Multiparous women had lower levels of all evaluated micronutrients, while overweight lowered both folate and total B12, but not holotranscobalamin. Lower total B12(270 vs. 290 ng/L, p=0.005), but not holotranscobalamin, was observed in GDM, being weakly negatively correlated with fasting glycemia (r=-0.11, p=0.005) and 1-h OGTT serum insulin (r=-0.09, p=0.014). At multivariate analysis, age, BMI and multiparity remained the strongest GDM predictors, while total B12(but not holotranscobalamin and folate) showed a slight protective effect (OR=0.996, p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS A weak association between total B12 levels and GDM risk was shown, but it was not confirmed when holotranscobalamin was measured.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mauro Panteghini
- Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy; Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Jankovic-Karasoulos T, Smith MD, Leemaqz S, Williamson J, McCullough D, Arthurs AL, Jones LA, Bogias KJ, Mol BW, Dalton J, Dekker GA, Roberts CT. Elevated Maternal Folate Status and Changes in Maternal Prolactin, Placental Lactogen and Placental Growth Hormone Following Folic Acid Food Fortification: Evidence from Two Prospective Pregnancy Cohorts. Nutrients 2023; 15:1553. [PMID: 37049394 PMCID: PMC10097170 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Folic acid (FA) food fortification in Australia has resulted in a higher-than-expected intake of FA during pregnancy. High FA intake is associated with increased insulin resistance and gestational diabetes. We aimed to establish whether maternal one-carbon metabolism and hormones that regulate glucose homeostasis change in healthy pregnancies post-FA food fortification. Circulating folate, B12, homocysteine, prolactin (PRL), human placental lactogen (hPL) and placental growth hormone (GH2) were measured in early pregnancy maternal blood in women with uncomplicated pregnancies prior to (SCOPE: N = 604) and post (STOP: N = 711)-FA food fortification. FA food fortification resulted in 63% higher maternal folate. STOP women had lower hPL (33%) and GH2 (43%) after 10 weeks of gestation, but they had higher PRL (29%) and hPL (28%) after 16 weeks. FA supplementation during pregnancy increased maternal folate and reduced homocysteine but only in the SCOPE group, and it was associated with 54% higher PRL in SCOPE but 28% lower PRL in STOP. FA food fortification increased maternal folate status, but supplements no longer had an effect, thereby calling into question their utility. An altered secretion of hormones that regulate glucose homeostasis in pregnancy could place women post-fortification at an increased risk of insulin resistance and gestational diabetes, particularly for older women and those with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melanie D. Smith
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Shalem Leemaqz
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jessica Williamson
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Dylan McCullough
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Anya L. Arthurs
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Lauren A. Jones
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | | | - Ben W. Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Julia Dalton
- Lyell McEwin Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5112, Australia
| | - Gustaaf A. Dekker
- Lyell McEwin Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5112, Australia
- Lyell McEwin Hospital, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Claire T. Roberts
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Zhu L, Zhou Y, Fu Y, Sun W, Chen J, Yu N, Zhao M. Association of Folic Acid Supplementation, Dietary Folate Intake and Serum Folate Levels with Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Matched Case-Control Study. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2023; 69:28-37. [PMID: 36858538 DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.69.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Periconceptional folate supplementation is prevalent, raising concerns about possible side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of folic acid supplementation, dietary folate, serum folate with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. In this matched case-control study, 81 pregnant women with GDM (cases) and 81 pregnant women with non-GDM (controls) were identified through age difference (≤3 y) and parity (Both primipara or multipara women) matching, and serum folate levels were measured during the GDM screening (24-28 gestational wk). Folic acid supplementation and dietary folate intake from three months prepregnancy through midpregnancy were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between folate and GDM. After adjusting for confounding factors, we observed that compared with folic acid supplementation dose ≤400 μg/d, pregnancies without folic acid supplementation and supplemental dose >800 μg/d were associated with GDM risk (adjusted odds ratio=7.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-39.36; adjusted odds ratio=4.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-17.22), while no significant association with a 400-800 μg/d dose of folic acid supplementation and GDM. Compared with folic acid supplementation dose ≤24 wk, pregnancies without folic acid supplementation were associated with GDM risk (adjusted odds ratio=6.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-36.77), while no significant association with folic acid supplementation dose >24 wk and GDM. No significant association of dietary folate and serum folate with GDM was found. No or a higher dose of folic acid supplementation would increase GDM risk and a dose of <800 μg/d is the safe dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Zhu
- School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University
| | - Ya Zhou
- Medical School, Anhui University of Science and Technology
| | - Yueqi Fu
- School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University
| | | | - Jing Chen
- School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University
| | | | - Mei Zhao
- School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University
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He J, Jiang D, Cui X, Ji C. Vitamin B12 status and folic acid/vitamin B12 related to the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:587. [PMID: 35870897 PMCID: PMC9308279 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04911-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This review was conducted to investigate the association between serum vitamin B12 levels as well as folic acid/vitamin B12 during pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods A comprehensive search of electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science) was performed. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of GDM risk were summarized using a random effects model. We also performed subgroup analyses to explore the source of heterogeneity. Results A total of 10 studies, including 10,595 pregnant women were assessed. Women with vitamin B12 deficiency were at higher risk for developing GDM when compared with those who were vitamin B12 sufficient (OR, 1.46; 95% CI 1.21–1.79; I2: 59.0%). Subgroup analysis indicated that this association might differ based on sample size and geographical distribution. Elevated vitamin B12 levels may decrease the risk of GDM by 23%. The role of excess folic acid and low vitamin B12 levels in the occurrence of GDM is also controversial. Conclusion In summary, vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with increased risk of GDM, it is necessary to pay more attention to the balance of vitamin B12 and folic acid. However, more in-depth studies across multiple populations are needed to verify these results. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04911-9.
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Kurpad AV, Sachdev HS. Micronutrient supplements in pregnancy: an urgent priority. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1563. [PMID: 36240822 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00382-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anura V Kurpad
- Department of Physiology, St John's Medical College, Bengaluru 560034, India.
| | - Harshpal Singh Sachdev
- Department of Paediatrics and Clinical Epidemiology, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, New Delhi, India
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High Folate, Perturbed One-Carbon Metabolism and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14193930. [PMID: 36235580 PMCID: PMC9573299 DOI: 10.3390/nu14193930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate is a dietary micronutrient essential to one-carbon metabolism. The World Health Organisation recommends folic acid (FA) supplementation pre-conception and in early pregnancy to reduce the risk of fetal neural tube defects (NTDs). Subsequently, many countries (~92) have mandatory FA fortification policies, as well as recommendations for periconceptional FA supplementation. Mandatory fortification initiatives have been largely successful in reducing the incidence of NTDs. However, humans have limited capacity to incorporate FA into the one-carbon metabolic pathway, resulting in the increasingly ubiquitous presence of circulating unmetabolised folic acid (uFA). Excess FA intake has emerged as a risk factor in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Several other one-carbon metabolism components (vitamin B12, homocysteine and choline-derived betaine) are also closely entwined with GDM risk, suggesting a role for one-carbon metabolism in GDM pathogenesis. There is growing evidence from in vitro and animal studies suggesting a role for excess FA in dysregulation of one-carbon metabolism. Specifically, high levels of FA reduce methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity, dysregulate the balance of thymidylate synthase (TS) and methionine synthase (MTR) activity, and elevate homocysteine. High homocysteine is associated with increased oxidative stress and trophoblast apoptosis and reduced human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) secretion and pancreatic β-cell function. While the relationship between high FA, perturbed one-carbon metabolism and GDM pathogenesis is not yet fully understood, here we summarise the current state of knowledge. Given rising rates of GDM, now estimated to be 14% globally, and widespread FA food fortification, further research is urgently needed to elucidate the mechanisms which underpin GDM pathogenesis.
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Kurpad AV, Sachdev HS. Precision in prescription: multiple micronutrient supplements in pregnancy. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e780-e781. [PMID: 35561708 PMCID: PMC7612989 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00207-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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