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Malik A, Zavadil JA, Geusz ME. Using bioluminescence to image gene expression and spontaneous behavior in freely moving mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279875. [PMID: 36662734 PMCID: PMC9858005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of gene expression in live animals is a powerful method for monitoring development, tumor growth, infections, healing, and other progressive, long-term biological processes. BLI remains an effective approach for reducing the number of animals needed to monitor dynamic changes in gene activity because images can be captured repeatedly from the same animals. When examining these ongoing changes, it is sometimes necessary to remove rhythmic effects on the bioluminescence signal caused by the circadian clock's daily modulation of gene expression. Furthermore, BLI using freely moving animals remains limited because the standard procedures can alter normal behaviors. Another obstacle with conventional BLI of animals is that luciferin, the firefly luciferase substrate, is usually injected into mice that are then imaged while anesthetized. Unfortunately, the luciferase signal declines rapidly during imaging as luciferin is cleared from the body. Alternatively, mice are imaged after they are surgically implanted with a pump or connected to a tether to deliver luciferin, but stressors such as this surgery and anesthesia can alter physiology, behavior, and the actual gene expression being imaged. Consequently, we developed a strategy that minimizes animal exposure to stressors before and during sustained BLI of freely moving unanesthetized mice. This technique was effective when monitoring expression of the Per1 gene that serves in the circadian clock timing mechanism and was previously shown to produce circadian bioluminescence rhythms in live mice. We used hairless albino mice expressing luciferase that were allowed to drink luciferin and engage in normal behaviors during imaging with cooled electron-multiplying-CCD cameras. Computer-aided image selection was developed to measure signal intensity of individual mice each time they were in the same posture, thereby providing comparable measurements over long intervals. This imaging procedure, performed primarily during the animal's night, is compatible with entrainment of the mouse circadian timing system to the light cycle while allowing sampling at multi-day intervals to monitor long-term changes. When the circadian expression of a gene is known, this approach provides an effective alternative to imaging immobile anesthetized animals and can removing noise caused by circadian oscillations and body movements that can degrade data collected during long-term imaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astha Malik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Zavadil
- Graduate Medical Education, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Michael E. Geusz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, United States of America
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Katsioudi G, Osorio-Forero A, Sinturel F, Hagedorn C, Kreppel F, Schibler U, Gatfield D. Recording of Diurnal Gene Expression in Peripheral Organs of Mice Using the RT-Biolumicorder. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2482:217-242. [PMID: 35610430 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2249-0_15] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is high interest in investigating the daily dynamics of gene expression in mammalian organs, for example, in liver. Such studies help to elucidate how and with what kinetics peripheral clocks integrate circadian signals from the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which harbors the circadian master pacemaker, with other systemic and environmental cues, such as those associated with feeding and hormones. Organ sampling around the clock, followed by the analysis of RNA and/or proteins, is the most commonly used procedure in assessing rhythmic gene expression. However, this method requires large cohorts of animals and is only applicable to behaviorally rhythmic animals whose phases are known. Real-time recording of gene expression rhythms using luciferase reporters has emerged as a powerful method to acquire continuous, high-resolution datasets from freely moving individual mice. Here, we share our experience and protocols with this technique, using the RT-Biolumicorder setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Katsioudi
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Flore Sinturel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Patient Education, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Hagedorn
- Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Florian Kreppel
- Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Ueli Schibler
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Gatfield
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Martin-Burgos B, Wang W, William I, Tir S, Mohammad I, Javed R, Smith S, Cui Y, Arzavala J, Mora D, Smith CB, van der Vinne V, Molyneux PC, Miller SC, Weaver DR, Leise TL, Harrington ME. Methods for Detecting PER2:LUCIFERASE Bioluminescence Rhythms in Freely Moving Mice. J Biol Rhythms 2021; 37:78-93. [PMID: 34873943 DOI: 10.1177/07487304211062829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are driven by daily oscillations of gene expression. An important tool for studying cellular and tissue circadian rhythms is the use of a gene reporter, such as bioluminescence from the reporter gene luciferase controlled by a rhythmically expressed gene of interest. Here we describe methods that allow measurement of circadian bioluminescence from a freely moving mouse housed in a standard cage. Using a LumiCycle In Vivo (Actimetrics), we determined conditions that allow detection of circadian rhythms of bioluminescence from the PER2 reporter, PER2::LUC, in freely behaving mice. The LumiCycle In Vivo applies a background subtraction that corrects for effects of room temperature on photomultiplier tube (PMT) output. We tested delivery of d-luciferin via a subcutaneous minipump and in the drinking water. We demonstrate spikes in bioluminescence associated with drinking bouts. Further, we demonstrate that a synthetic luciferase substrate, CycLuc1, can support circadian rhythms of bioluminescence, even when delivered at a lower concentration than d-luciferin, and can support longer-term studies. A small difference in phase of the PER2::LUC bioluminescence rhythms, with females phase leading males, can be detected with this technique. We share our analysis scripts and suggestions for further improvements in this method. This approach will be straightforward to apply to mice with tissue-specific reporters, allowing insights into responses of specific peripheral clocks to perturbations such as environmental or pharmacological manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wanqi Wang
- Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Ivana William
- Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Selma Tir
- Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Innus Mohammad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Reja Javed
- Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Stormi Smith
- Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Yilin Cui
- Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | | | - Dalilah Mora
- Neuroscience Program, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
| | - Ciearra B Smith
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Vincent van der Vinne
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Biology, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts
| | | | - Stephen C Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - David R Weaver
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Tanya L Leise
- Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts
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Abstract
Circadian clocks are present in most cells and are essential for maintenance of daily rhythms in physiology, mood, and cognition. Thus, not only neurons of the central circadian pacemaker but also many other peripheral tissues possess the same functional and self-sustained circadian clocks. Surprisingly, however, their properties vary widely within the human population. In recent years, this clock variance has been studied extensively both in health and in disease using robust lentivirus-based reporter technologies to probe circadian function in human peripheral cells as proxies for those in neurologically and physiologically relevant but inaccessible tissues. The same procedures can be used to investigate other conserved signal transduction cascades affecting multiple aspects of human physiology, behavior, and disease. Accessing gene expression variation within human populations via these powerful in vitro cell-based technologies could provide important insights into basic phenotypic diversity or to better interpret patterns of gene expression variation in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Gaspar
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Steven A Brown
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Patel AR, Lim E, Francis KP, Singh M. Opening up the optical imaging window using nano-luciferin. Pharm Res 2014; 31:3073-84. [PMID: 24831312 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-014-1400-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to formulate nanoparticles of D-luciferin (Nano-Luc), DiR (Nano-DiR) and dual functional nanoparticles with DiR and luciferin (Nano-LucDiR) for in-vivo imaging as well as tracking of the nanoparticles in tumors. METHODS Nano-Luc and Nano-LucDiR were prepared using different lipids, and subsequently characterized for loading and entrapment efficiency, physical properties, release profile, toxicity and stability. We utilized Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to optimize the nanoparticles using design of experiment (DOE Vr.8.0). Nano-Luc was evaluated against free luciferin to establish its pharmacokinetic parameters in mice. In-vivo imaging of tumors and tracking of nanoparticles was carried out with an IVIS® Spectrum-CT (Caliper) using xenograft, orthotopic and metastatic tumor models in BALB/c nude mice with different cell lines and different routes of nanoparticle administration (subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and intravenous). RESULTS Particle size of both Nano-Luc and Nano-LucDiR were found to be <200 nm. Nano-Luc formulation showed a slow and controlled release upto 72 h (90%) in vitro. The optimized Nano-Luc had loading efficiency of 5.0 mg/ml with 99% encapsulation efficiency. Nano-Luc and Nano-LucDiR formulations had good shelf stability. Nano-Luc and Nano-LucDiR enhanced plasma half-life of luciferin compared to free luciferin thus providing longer circulation of luciferin in plasma enabling imaging of tumors for more than 24 h. Nano-LucDiR allowed simultaneous bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging to be conducted, with three-dimensional reconstruct of tumors without losing either signal during the acquisition time. CONCLUSION Nano-Luc and Nano-LucDiR allowed prolonged reproducible in-vivo imaging of tumors, especially during multimodality 3D imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurva R Patel
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32307, USA
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Hara-Miyauchi C, Tsuji O, Hanyu A, Okada S, Yasuda A, Fukano T, Akazawa C, Nakamura M, Imamura T, Matsuzaki Y, Okano HJ, Miyawaki A, Okano H. Bioluminescent system for dynamic imaging of cell and animal behavior. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 419:188-93. [PMID: 22333570 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.01.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The current utility of bioluminescence imaging is constrained by a low photon yield that limits temporal sensitivity. Here, we describe an imaging method that uses a chemiluminescent/fluorescent protein, ffLuc-cp156, which consists of a yellow variant of Aequorea GFP and firefly luciferase. We report an improvement in photon yield by over three orders of magnitude over current bioluminescent systems. We imaged cellular movement at high resolution including neuronal growth cones and microglial cell protrusions. Transgenic ffLuc-cp156 mice enabled video-rate bioluminescence imaging of freely moving animals, which may provide a reliable assay for drug distribution in behaving animals for pre-clinical studies.
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Abstract
According to World Health Organization estimates, infectious organisms are responsible for approximately one in four deaths worldwide. Animal models play an essential role in the development of vaccines and therapeutic agents but large numbers of animals are required to obtain quantitative microbiological data by tissue sampling. Biophotonic imaging (BPI) is a highly sensitive, nontoxic technique based on the detection of visible light, produced by luciferase-catalysed reactions (bioluminescence) or by excitation of fluorescent molecules, using sensitive photon detectors. The development of bioluminescent/fluorescent microorganisms therefore allows the real-time noninvasive detection of microorganisms within intact living animals. Multiple imaging of the same animal throughout an experiment allows disease progression to be followed with extreme accuracy, reducing the number of animals required to yield statistically meaningful data. In the study of infectious disease, the use of BPI is becoming widespread due to the novel insights it can provide into established models, as well as the impact of the technique on two of the guiding principles of using animals in research, namely reduction and refinement. Here, we review the technology of BPI, from the instrumentation through to the generation of a photonic signal, and illustrate how the technique is shedding light on infection dynamics in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Andreu
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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O'Neill K, Lyons SK, Gallagher WM, Curran KM, Byrne AT. Bioluminescent imaging: a critical tool in pre-clinical oncology research. J Pathol 2010; 220:317-27. [PMID: 19967724 DOI: 10.1002/path.2656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) is a non-invasive imaging modality widely used in the field of pre-clinical oncology research. Imaging of small animal tumour models using BLI involves the generation of light by luciferase-expressing cells in the animal following administration of substrate. This light may be imaged using an external detector. The technique allows a variety of tumour-associated properties to be visualized dynamically in living models. The increasing use of BLI as a small-animal imaging modality has led to advances in the development of xenogeneic, orthotopic, and genetically engineered animal models expressing luciferase genes. This review aims to provide insight into the principles of BLI and its applications in cancer research. Many studies to assess tumour growth and development, as well as efficacy of candidate therapeutics, have been performed using BLI. More recently, advances have also been made using bioluminescent imaging in studies of protein-protein interactions, genetic screening, cell-cycle regulators, and spontaneous cancer development. Such novel studies highlight the versatility and potential of bioluminescent imaging in future oncological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen O'Neill
- UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Health Science Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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King FJ, Selinger DW, Mapa FA, Janes J, Wu H, Smith TR, Wang QY, Niyomrattanakitand P, Sipes DG, Brinker A, Porter JA, Myer VE. Pathway Reporter Assays Reveal Small Molecule Mechanisms of Action. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jala.2009.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell-based, phenotypic screening of small molecules often identifies compounds with provocative biological properties. However, determining the cellular target(s) and/or mechanism of action (MoA) of lead compounds remains an extremely challenging and time-consuming exercise. To provide insights into a compound's cellular action and greatly reduce the time required for MoA determination, we have developed a screening platform consisting of an extensive series of reporter gene assays (RGAs). A collection of > 11,000 compounds of known MoA (e.g., World Drug Index entries) were screened against the entire panel. The output provided evidence that an RGA signature could be ascribed to numerous, biologically diverse MoAs. The reference database generated suggested novel biological activity for particular compounds. For example, the profiling data led to the prediction that the cellular target of the natural product terprenin was dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), which was confirmed experimentally. The screening methodology developed for this endeavor renders it amenable to the future examination of compounds with unknown MoA, in an automated, inexpensive, and time-efficient manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick J. King
- The Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
- The Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
| | | | - Felipa A. Mapa
- The Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - Jeff Janes
- The Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
| | - Hua Wu
- The Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
| | - Timothy R. Smith
- The Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
| | - Qing-Yin Wang
- The Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, The Republic of Singapore
| | | | - Daniel G. Sipes
- The Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
| | - Achim Brinker
- The Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA
| | | | - Vic E. Myer
- The Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA
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Bioluminescent monitoring of in vivo colonization and clearance dynamics by light-emitting bacteria. Methods Mol Biol 2009; 574:137-53. [PMID: 19685306 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60327-321-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence is an excellent reporter system for analysing bacterial colonization and clearance dynamics in vivo. Many bacterial species have been rendered bioluminescent, allowing the sensitive detection of bacterial burden and metabolic activity in real-time and in situ in living animals. In this chapter we describe the protocols for characterizing in vivo infection models using bioluminescent bacteria: from real-time imaging in living animals by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to ex vivo BLI of harvested organs and tissues and, finally, to quantification of bacterial numbers in organ and tissue homogenates by luminometry and viable counts. While the lux operon from Photorhabdus luminescens is ideally suited for use in such models, there may be times when alternative luciferases, such as those from the firefly (luc) or marine copepods (Gluc), may be more appropriate. Here we describe the protocols required to monitor colonization and clearance dynamics using bioluminescent bacteria that are lux-, luc-, or Gluc-positive.
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Zinn KR, Chaudhuri TR, Szafran AA, O'Quinn D, Weaver C, Dugger K, Lamar D, Kesterson RA, Wang X, Frank SJ. Noninvasive bioluminescence imaging in small animals. ILAR J 2008; 49:103-15. [PMID: 18172337 DOI: 10.1093/ilar.49.1.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been a rapid growth of bioluminescence imaging applications in small animal models in recent years, propelled by the availability of instruments, analysis software, reagents, and creative approaches to apply the technology in molecular imaging. Advantages include the sensitivity of the technique as well as its efficiency, relatively low cost, and versatility. Bioluminescence imaging is accomplished by sensitive detection of light emitted following chemical reaction of the luciferase enzyme with its substrate. Most imaging systems provide 2-dimensional (2D) information in rodents, showing the locations and intensity of light emitted from the animal in pseudo-color scaling. A 3-dimensional (3D) capability for bioluminescence imaging is now available, but is more expensive and less efficient; other disadvantages include the requirement for genetically encoded luciferase, the injection of the substrate to enable light emission, and the dependence of light signal on tissue depth. All of these problems make it unlikely that the method will be extended to human studies. However, in small animal models, bioluminescence imaging is now routinely applied to serially detect the location and burden of xenografted tumors, or identify and measure the number of immune or stem cells after an adoptive transfer. Bioluminescence imaging also makes it possible to track the relative amounts and locations of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens over time. Specialized applications of bioluminescence also follow tissue-specific luciferase expression in transgenic mice, and monitor biological processes such as signaling or protein interactions in real time. In summary, bioluminescence imaging has become an important component of biomedical research that will continue in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt R Zinn
- Laboratory of Multimodal Imaging, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, USA.
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Hildebrandt IJ, Su H, Weber WA. Anesthesia and Other Considerations for in Vivo Imaging of Small Animals. ILAR J 2008; 49:17-26. [DOI: 10.1093/ilar.49.1.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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