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Hwang DY, Bannon SM, Meurer K, Kubota R, Baskaran N, Kim J, Zhang Q, Reichman M, Fishbein NS, Lichstein K, Motta M, Muehlschlegel S, Reznik ME, Jaffa MN, Creutzfeldt CJ, Fehnel CR, Tomlinson AD, Williamson CA, Vranceanu AM. Thematic Analysis of Psychosocial Stressors and Adaptive Coping Strategies Among Informal Caregivers of Patients Surviving ICU Admission for Coma. Neurocrit Care 2024; 40:674-688. [PMID: 37523110 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-023-01804-3] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family caregivers of patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with coma experience heightened emotional distress stemming from simultaneous stressors. Stress and coping frameworks can inform psychosocial intervention development by elucidating common challenges and ways of navigating such experiences but have yet to be employed with this population. The present study therefore sought to use a stress and coping framework to characterize the stressors and coping behaviors of family caregivers of patients with SABI hospitalized in ICUs and recovering after coma. METHODS Our qualitative study recruited a convenience sample from 14 US neuroscience ICUs. Participants were family caregivers of patients who were admitted with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; had experienced a comatose state for > 24 h; and completed or were scheduled for tracheostomy and/or gastrostomy tube placement. Participants were recruited < 7 days after transfer out of the neuroscience ICU. We conducted live online video interviews from May 2021 to January 2022. One semistructured interview per participant was recorded and subsequently transcribed. Recruitment was stopped when thematic saturation was reached. We deductively derived two domains using a stress and coping framework to guide thematic analysis. Within each domain, we inductively derived themes to comprehensively characterize caregivers' experiences. RESULTS We interviewed 30 caregivers. We identified 18 themes within the two theory-driven domains, including ten themes describing practical, social, and emotional stressors experienced by caregivers and eight themes describing the psychological and behavioral coping strategies that caregivers attempted to enact. Nearly all caregivers described using avoidance or distraction as an initial coping strategy to manage overwhelming emotions. Caregivers also expressed awareness of more adaptive strategies (e.g., cultivation of positive emotions, acceptance, self-education, and soliciting social and medical support) but had challenges employing them because of their heightened emotional distress. CONCLUSIONS In response to substantial stressors, family caregivers of patients with SABI attempted to enact various psychological and behavioral coping strategies. They described avoidance and distraction as less helpful than other coping strategies but had difficulty engaging in alternative strategies because of their emotional distress. These findings can directly inform the development of additional resources to mitigate the long-term impact of acute psychological distress among this caregiver population.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Y Hwang
- Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 170 Manning Drive, CB# 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7025, USA.
| | - Sarah M Bannon
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kate Meurer
- Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rina Kubota
- Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nithyashri Baskaran
- Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jisoo Kim
- Division of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Qiang Zhang
- David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mira Reichman
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nathan S Fishbein
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Lichstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Motta
- Program in Trauma, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susanne Muehlschlegel
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Michael E Reznik
- Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Matthew N Jaffa
- Department of Neurointensive Care, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Claire J Creutzfeldt
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Corey R Fehnel
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda D Tomlinson
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Ana-Maria Vranceanu
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Muliira JK, Lazarus ER, Jacob D, Roslin H. The needs of families caring for patients with traumatic brain injury: a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37933167 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2278178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This scoping review was conducted to synthesize existing literature into a map of the common needs of families caring for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at home. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic search of studies published between January 2012 and December 2022 was conducted across databases. The selected studies reported the needs or unmet needs of patients with TBI and/or their family caregivers (FCs). RESULTS A total of 12 publications were identified. The results suggest that the common needs of families caring for patients with TBI at home include: information about TBI as a disease; information about the continuum of TBI healthcare services; information about adaptive technologies; education and skilling of FCs; psychological support and counseling; physical and occupational therapy services; follow-up care and transitional care management; respite care; peer support; financial assistance, advocacy, and legal services; emotional support from the family and community; and assistance with physical patient care and instrumental activities of daily living. CONCLUSION The mapped needs provide insight into supportive interventions required to enhance the health outcomes of patients with TBI and their families during and after rehabilitation. The needs also highlight directions for research and healthcare services for patients with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua K Muliira
- School of Nursing, College of Health, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
| | - Eilean R Lazarus
- Department of Adult Health and Critical Care, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Devakirubai Jacob
- Department of Adult Health and Critical Care, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Hema Roslin
- Department of Adult Health and Critical Care, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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Sanz LR, Laureys S, Gosseries O. Towards modern post-coma care based on neuroscientific evidence. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100370. [PMID: 36817874 PMCID: PMC9932483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2023.100370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the mechanisms underlying human consciousness is pivotal to improve the prognostication and treatment of severely brain-injured patients. Consciousness remains an elusive concept and the identification of its neural correlates is an active subject of research, however recent neuroscientific advances have allowed scientists to better characterize disorders of consciousness. These breakthroughs question the historical nomenclature and our current management of post-comatose patients. Method This review examines the contribution of consciousness neurosciences to the current clinical management of severe brain injury. It investigates the major impact of consciousness disorders on healthcare systems, the scientific frameworks employed to identify their neural correlates and how evidence-based data from neuroimaging research have reshaped the landscape of post-coma care in recent years. Results Our increased ability to detect behavioral and neurophysiological signatures of consciousness has led to significant changes in taxonomy and clinical practice. We advocate for a multimodal framework for the management of severely brain-injured patients based on precision medicine and evidence-based decisions, integrating epidemiology, health economics and neuroethics. Conclusions Major progress in brain imaging and clinical assessment have opened the door to a new era of post-coma care based on standardized neuroscientific evidence. We highlight its implications in clinical applications and call for improved collaborations between researchers and clinicians to better translate findings to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro R.D. Sanz
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Joint International Research Unit on Consciousness, CERVO Brain Research Centre, CIUSS, Laval University, Québec, Canada
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Zhou YF, Kang JW, Xiong Q, Feng Z, Dong XY. Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation for patients with disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1133893. [PMID: 36937511 PMCID: PMC10017768 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1133893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Disorders of consciousness (DoCs) are a frequent complication of brain injury disease, and effective treatments are currently lacking. Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has been proposed as a promising therapeutic method for neurological disorders such as epilepsy and depression. In our previous study, we demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation promoted recovery in rats with DoCs caused by traumatic brain injury. However, the clinical effect of vagus nerve stimulation on consciousness disorders is unclear. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of tVNS in patients with DoCs. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial. Patients (N = 60) with DoCs, including minimally conscious state (MCS) and vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, were enrolled and randomized to groups receiving either active or sham tVNS. A frequency of 20 Hz and pulse wave of 200 us was used in the active-tVNS protocol, which was performed in the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the left outer ear. The sham-tVNS protocol was the same as the active-tVNS protocol although without current input. Both groups of patients also received conventional treatments. Consciousness was evaluated according to the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised before and after the 4-week intervention. We also recorded the type and number of behavioral responses. Safety was primarily assessed according to the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events. Each patient's heart rate and blood pressure were monitored during all treatment sessions. Results Ultimately, 57 patients completed the study: 28 patients underwent active tVNS and 29 patients underwent sham tVNS. No significant differences were observed in Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores between the active- and sham-tVNS groups before the tVNS sessions. Compared with patients in the sham-tVNS group (9.28 ± 4.38), patients with DoCs treated with active tVNS showed improved consciousness (10.93 ± 4.99), although not statistically significant. Further analysis revealed obvious differences between patients with MCS receiving active and sham tVNS, but no significant difference in patients with vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome in both groups. All side effects were considered common medical conditions with no obvious correlation to tVNS. Conclusion These preliminary data provide early evidence that tVNS may be an effective and safe approach for promoting the recovery of consciousness, especially in patients with MCS. Clinical trial registration https://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=175938&htm=4, identifier: ChiCTR2200066629.
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Nekrasova JY, Kanarsky MM, Borisov IV, Pradhan P, Yankevich DS, Roshka SF, Petrova MV, Grechko AV. Post-Discharge Plight Of Patients With Chronic Disorders Of Consciousness: A Systematic Review Of Socioeconomic And Health Aspects. RUSSIAN OPEN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.15275/rusomj.2022.0412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective — the presented study aims to systematize and structure significant information regarding the problems of patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) and their families after discharge from the hospital, and to search for possible solutions. Material and Methods — to identify eligible studies, we searched the Medline database (via PubMed) for studies on socioeconomic and medical issues of patients with chronic DOC at the post-hospital stage of rehabilitation for the last 20 years. Results — we included 28 studies with 21 cohorts of patients from 7 different countries in our study. The components of informal caregiver burden and their impact on the quality of life were identified and systematized. These components include high physical load, high economic costs, vast time expenditures, strong emotional involvement, and a top level of expertise in caregiving, all of which are required from the relatives. Conclusion — It was affirmed, that the lack of healthcare system support was a major contributing factor to the overall burden. Our research also showed that delivering care without receiving information, advice, and training is extremely painful for family caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Yu. Nekrasova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail M. Kanarsky
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya V. Borisov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pranil Pradhan
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia; Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry S. Yankevich
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stanislav F. Roshka
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V. Petrova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia; Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Grechko
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow, Russia
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Proia-Lelouey N, Boissel A. Being a caregiver of a relative with a prolonged disorder of consciousness living at home: A scoping review. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2022; 33:718-744. [PMID: 35195048 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2022.2042330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
As recent reviews of the literature have shown, a growing number of studies have focused on the burden of caregivers of people living with a prolonged disorder of consciousness. However, none of these reviews have focused specifically on caregivers in the home care setting. It is therefore difficult to have a state of knowledge specific to this setting, even though many POCD patients live at home once their condition has stabilized. For this reason, we decided, after completing recent literature reviews, to conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of publications presenting data on the quality of life of caregivers whose relative with PDOC lives at home. While all the studies agree that the presence of a person with PDOC is a heavy burden for the caregiver, some authors refute the idea defended by others that this burden is the same whether the patient lives at home or in care facilities. All the studies also stress the need for public material and organisational assistance, without which caregivers find themselves in a state of great financial and psychological distress. Such support would also help to strengthen internal resilience factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Boissel
- Department of Psychology, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
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Goss AL, Creutzfeldt CJ. Prognostication, Ethical Issues, and Palliative Care in Disorders of Consciousness. Neurol Clin 2022; 40:59-75. [PMID: 34798975 PMCID: PMC8672806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Research advances in recent years have shown that some individuals with vegetative state or minimally conscious state can emerge to higher states of consciousness even years after injury. A minority of behaviorally unresponsive patients with vegetative state have also been shown to follow commands, or even communicate, using neuroimaging or electrophysiological techniques. These advances raise ethical questions that have important implications for clinical care. In this article, the authors argue that adopting a neuropalliative care approach can help clinicians provide ethical, compassionate care to these patients and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline L Goss
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0114, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Claire J Creutzfeldt
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
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Peterson A, Webster F, Gonzalez-Lara LE, Munce S, Owen AM, Weijer C. Caregiver reactions to neuroimaging evidence of covert consciousness in patients with severe brain injury: a qualitative interview study. BMC Med Ethics 2021; 22:105. [PMID: 34320966 PMCID: PMC8320067 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00674-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. Diagnosis and prognostication are difficult, and errors occur often. Novel neuroimaging methods can improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, especially in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDoC). Yet it is currently unknown how family caregivers understand this information, raising ethical concerns that disclosure of neuroimaging results could result in therapeutic misconception or false hope. Methods To examine these ethical concerns, we conducted semi-structured interviews with caregivers of patients with PDoC who were enrolled in a concurrent neuroimaging research program designed to detect covert consciousness following severe brain injury. Caregivers held surrogate decision-making status for a patient. Interviews were conducted at two time points for each caregiver. The first interview occurred before the disclosure of neuroimaging results. The second occurred after disclosure. Descriptive analysis was applied to the data of four interview topics: (1) expectations for neuroimaging; (2) reactions to evidence of preserved cognition; (3) reactions to null results; and (4) understanding of the results and study. Results Twelve caregivers participated in the study; two caregivers shared surrogate decision-making status for one patient with PDoC. Twenty-one interviews were completed; one caregiver declined to participate in the post-disclosure interview. Three patients with PDoC associated with the study displayed evidence of covert consciousness. Overall, caregivers understood the neuroimaging research and results. Caregivers who received results of covert consciousness were generally pleased. However, there was some variation in expectations and reactions to these data and null results. Conclusion This study, for the first time, reveals caregiver expectations for and reactions to neuroimaging evidence of covert consciousness in patients with PDoC. Caregivers understood the neuroimaging research and results, casting doubt on speculative ethical concerns regarding therapeutic misconception and false hope. However, disclosure of neuroimaging result could be improved. Pre-disclosure consultations might assist professionals in shaping caregiver expectations. Standardization of disclosure might also improve comprehension of the results. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12910-021-00674-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Peterson
- Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, USA.
| | - Fiona Webster
- Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, Canada
| | | | - Sarah Munce
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronoto, Canada
| | - Adrian M Owen
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Charles Weijer
- Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Philosophy, Western University, London, Canada
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Research Needs for Prognostic Modeling and Trajectory Analysis in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness. Neurocrit Care 2021; 35:55-67. [PMID: 34236623 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-021-01289-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current state of the science regarding the care and prognosis of patients with disorders of consciousness is limited. Scientific advances are needed to improve the accuracy, relevance, and approach to prognostication, thereby providing the foundation to develop meaningful and effective interventions. METHODS To address this need, an interdisciplinary expert panel was created as part of the Coma Science Working Group of the Neurocritical Care Society Curing Coma Campaign. RESULTS The panel performed a gap analysis which identified seven research needs for prognostic modeling and trajectory analysis ("recovery science") in patients with disorders of consciousness: (1) to define the variables that predict outcomes; (2) to define meaningful intermediate outcomes at specific time points for different endotypes; (3) to describe recovery trajectories in the absence of limitations to care; (4) to harness big data and develop analytic methods to prognosticate more accurately; (5) to identify key elements and processes for communicating prognostic uncertainty over time; (6) to identify health care delivery models that facilitate recovery and recovery science; and (7) to advocate for changes in the health care delivery system needed to advance recovery science and implement already-known best practices. CONCLUSION This report summarizes the current research available to inform the proposed research needs, articulates key elements within each area, and discusses the goals and advances in recovery science and care anticipated by successfully addressing these needs.
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