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Hussain H, Elumalai N, Sampath N, Shamaladevi N, Hajjar R, Druyan BZ, Rashed AB, Ramamoorthy R, Kenyon NS, Jayakumar AR, Paidas MJ. Acute and Long COVID Intestinal Changes in an Experimental Model of Coronavirus in Mice. Viruses 2024; 16:832. [PMID: 38932125 PMCID: PMC11209276 DOI: 10.3390/v16060832] [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: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in early 2020, has had a profound and lasting impact on global health, resulting in over 7.0 million deaths and persistent challenges. In addition to acute concerns, there is growing attention being given to the long COVID health consequences for survivors of COVID-19 with documented cases of cardiovascular abnormalities, liver disturbances, lung complications, kidney issues, and noticeable cognitive deficits. Recent studies have investigated the physiological changes in various organs following prolonged exposure to murine hepatitis virus-1 (MHV-1), a coronavirus, in mouse models. One significant finding relates to the effects on the gastrointestinal tract, an area previously understudied regarding the long-lasting effects of COVID-19. This research sheds light on important observations in the intestines during both the acute and the prolonged phases following MHV-1 infection, which parallel specific changes seen in humans after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Our study investigates the histopathological alterations in the small intestine following MHV-1 infection in murine models, revealing significant changes reminiscent of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease. Notable findings include mucosal inflammation, lymphoid hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, and immune cell infiltration, mirroring pathological features observed in IBD. Additionally, MHV-1 infection induces villous atrophy, altered epithelial integrity, and inflammatory responses akin to celiac disease and IBD. SPIKENET (SPK) treatment effectively mitigates intestinal damage caused by MHV-1 infection, restoring tissue architecture and ameliorating inflammatory responses. Furthermore, investigation into long COVID reveals intricate inflammatory profiles, highlighting the potential of SPK to modulate intestinal responses and restore tissue homeostasis. Understanding these histopathological alterations provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis of COVID-induced gastrointestinal complications and informs the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Hussain
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, Miami, FL 33175, USA
| | - Nila Elumalai
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Natarajan Sampath
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613401, India;
| | | | - Rima Hajjar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Brian Zachary Druyan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Amirah B. Rashed
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Rajalakshmi Ramamoorthy
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Norma S. Kenyon
- Microbiology & Immunology and Biomedical Engineering, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Arumugam R. Jayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
| | - Michael J. Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (N.E.); (R.H.); (B.Z.D.); (A.B.R.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Hussain H, Paidas MJ, Rajalakshmi R, Fadel A, Ali M, Chen P, Jayakumar AR. Dermatologic Changes in Experimental Model of Long COVID. Microorganisms 2024; 12:272. [PMID: 38399677 PMCID: PMC10892887 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020272] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, declared in early 2020, has left an indelible mark on global health, with over 7.0 million deaths and persistent challenges. While the pharmaceutical industry raced to develop vaccines, the emergence of mutant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains continues to pose a significant threat. Beyond the immediate concerns, the long-term health repercussions of COVID-19 survivors are garnering attention, particularly due to documented cases of cardiovascular issues, liver dysfunction, pulmonary complications, kidney impairments, and notable neurocognitive deficits. Recent studies have delved into the pathophysiological changes in various organs following post-acute infection with murine hepatitis virus-1 (MHV-1), a coronavirus, in mice. One aspect that stands out is the impact on the skin, a previously underexplored facet of long-term COVID-19 effects. The research reveals significant cutaneous findings during both the acute and long-term phases post-MHV-1 infection, mirroring certain alterations observed in humans post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the acute stages, mice exhibited destruction of the epidermal layer, increased hair follicles, extensive collagen deposition in the dermal layer, and hyperplasticity of sebaceous glands. Moreover, the thinning of the panniculus carnosus and adventitial layer was noted, consistent with human studies. A long-term investigation revealed the absence of hair follicles, destruction of adipose tissues, and further damage to the epidermal layer. Remarkably, treatment with a synthetic peptide, SPIKENET (SPK), designed to prevent Spike glycoprotein-1 binding with host receptors and elicit a potent anti-inflammatory response, showed protection against MHV-1 infection. Precisely, SPK treatment restored hair follicle loss in MHV-1 infection, re-architected the epidermal and dermal layers, and successfully overhauled fatty tissue destruction. These promising findings underscore the potential of SPK as a therapeutic intervention to prevent long-term skin alterations initiated by SARS-CoV-2, providing a glimmer of hope in the battle against the lingering effects of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Hussain
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, FL 33143, USA
| | - Michael J. Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ramamoorthy Rajalakshmi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Aya Fadel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ocean University Medical Center—Hackensack Meridian Health, Brick Township, NJ 08724, USA;
| | - Misha Ali
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Pingping Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Arumugam R. Jayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (H.H.); (R.R.)
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Li S, Zhao J, Han G, Zhang X, Li N, Zhang Z. Silicon dioxide-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress of alveolar macrophages and its role on the formation of silicosis fibrosis: a review article. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:1024-1033. [PMID: 38145097 PMCID: PMC10734631 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad099] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Silicosis is a chronic lung inflammatory disease induced by long-term inhalation of high concentrations of silicon dioxide (SiO2), characterized by pulmonary fibrosis. Inhalation of silica invades alveolar macrophages (AMs) and changes the micro-environment of the cell, resulting in abnormal morphology and dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Once beyond the range of cell regulation, the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) will occur, which will lead to cell damage, necrosis, and apoptosis, eventually causing silicosis fibrosis through various mechanisms. This is a complex and delicate process accompanied by various macrophage-derived cytokines. Unfortunately, the details have not been systematically summarized yet. In this review, we systematically introduce the basic two processes: the process of inducing ERS by inhaling SiO2 and the process of inducing pulmonary fibrosis by ERS. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of the above two sequential events is also be discussed. We conclude that the ERS of alveolar macrophages caused by silica dust are involved deeply in the pathogenesis of silicosis. Therefore, changing the states of SiO2-induced ERS of macrophage may be an attractive therapeutic target for silicosis fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Department of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Guanhai Road 346, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Public Health, Jining Medical University, Jianshe South Road 45, Jining 272067, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jiahui Zhao
- Department of Public Health, Jining Medical University, Jianshe South Road 45, Jining 272067, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Baotong west Street 7166, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guizhi Han
- Department of Public Health, Jining Medical University, Jianshe South Road 45, Jining 272067, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Guanhai Road 346, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Guanhai Road 346, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhaoqiang Zhang
- Department of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Guanhai Road 346, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
- Department of Public Health, Jining Medical University, Jianshe South Road 45, Jining 272067, Shandong Province, China
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Wu F, Lei N, Yang S, Zhou J, Chen M, Chen C, Qiu L, Guo R, Li Y, Chang L. Treatment strategies for intrauterine adhesion: focus on the exosomes and hydrogels. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1264006. [PMID: 37720318 PMCID: PMC10501405 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1264006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesion (IUA), also referred to as Asherman Syndrome (AS), results from uterine trauma in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. The IUA damages the endometrial bottom layer, causing partial or complete occlusion of the uterine cavity. This leads to irregular menstruation, infertility, or repeated abortions. Transcervical adhesion electroreception (TCRA) is frequently used to treat IUA, which greatly lowers the prevalence of adhesions and increases pregnancy rates. Although surgery aims to disentangle the adhesive tissue, it can exacerbate the development of IUA when the degree of adhesion is severer. Therefore, it is critical to develop innovative therapeutic approaches for the prevention of IUA. Endometrial fibrosis is the essence of IUA, and studies have found that the use of different types of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can reduce the risk of endometrial fibrosis and increase the possibility of pregnancy. Recent research has suggested that exosomes derived from MSCs can overcome the limitations of MSCs, such as immunogenicity and tumorigenicity risks, thereby providing new directions for IUA treatment. Moreover, the hydrogel drug delivery system can significantly ameliorate the recurrence rate of adhesions and the intrauterine pregnancy rate of patients, and its potential mechanism in the treatment of IUA has also been studied. It has been shown that the combination of two or more therapeutic schemes has broader application prospects; therefore, this article reviews the pathophysiology of IUA and current treatment strategies, focusing on exosomes combined with hydrogels in the treatment of IUA. Although the use of exosomes and hydrogels has certain challenges in treating IUA, they still provide new promising directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengling Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ningjing Lei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shenyu Yang
- Medical 3D Printing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Junying Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mengyu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Luojie Qiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ruixia Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yong Li
- St George and Sutherland Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Ramamoorthy R, Hussain H, Ravelo N, Sriramajayam K, Di Gregorio DM, Paulrasu K, Chen P, Young K, Masciarella AD, Jayakumar AR, Paidas MJ. Kidney Damage in Long COVID: Studies in Experimental Mice. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1070. [PMID: 37626956 PMCID: PMC10452084 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Signs and symptoms involving multiple organ systems which persist for weeks or months to years after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection (also known as PASC or long COVID) are common complications of individuals with COVID-19. We recently reported pathophysiological changes in various organs post-acute infection of mice with mouse hepatitis virus-1 (MHV-1, a coronavirus) (7 days) and after long-term post-infection (12 months). One of the organs severely affected in this animal model is the kidney, which correlated well with human studies showing kidney injury post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our long-term post-infection pathological observation in kidneys includes the development of edema and inflammation of the renal parenchyma, severe acute tubular necrosis, and infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes, in addition to changes observed in both acute and long-term post-infection, which include tubular epithelial cell degenerative changes, peritubular vessel congestion, proximal and distal tubular necrosis, hemorrhage in the interstitial tissue, and vacuolation of renal tubules. These findings strongly suggest the possible development of renal fibrosis, in particular in the long-term post-infection. Accordingly, we investigated whether the signaling system that is known to initiate the above-mentioned changes in kidneys in other conditions is also activated in long-term post-MHV-1 infection. We found increased TGF-β1, FGF23, NGAL, IL-18, HIF1-α, TLR2, YKL-40, and B2M mRNA levels in long-term post-MHV-1 infection, but not EGFR, TNFR1, BCL3, and WFDC2. However, only neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) increased in acute infection (7 days). Immunoblot studies showed an elevation in protein levels of HIF1-α, TLR-2, and EGFR in long-term post-MHV-1 infection, while KIM-1 and MMP-7 protein levels are increased in acute infection. Treatment with a synthetic peptide, SPIKENET (SPK), which inhibits spike protein binding, reduced NGAL mRNA in acute infection, and decreased TGF-β1, BCL3 mRNA, EGFR, HIF1-α, and TLR-2 protein levels long-term post-MHV-1 infection. These findings suggest that fibrotic events may initiate early in SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to pronounced kidney fibrosis in long COVID. Targeting these factors therapeutically may prevent acute or long-COVID-associated kidney complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajalakshmi Ramamoorthy
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (R.R.); (N.R.)
| | - Hussain Hussain
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, FL 33143, USA;
| | - Natalia Ravelo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (R.R.); (N.R.)
| | - Kannappan Sriramajayam
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Dibe M. Di Gregorio
- University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA;
| | - Kodisundaram Paulrasu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Pingping Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (P.C.); (K.Y.)
| | - Karen Young
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (P.C.); (K.Y.)
| | | | - Arumugam R. Jayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (R.R.); (N.R.)
| | - Michael J. Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (R.R.); (N.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Wang Y, Wang Y, Wu Y, Wang Y. Dulaglutide Ameliorates Intrauterine Adhesion by Suppressing Inflammation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad2 Signaling Pathway. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:964. [PMID: 37513876 PMCID: PMC10384231 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070964] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a common gynecological disease with limited therapeutic options. Dulaglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog with some anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its action on IUA remains uncertain. The purpose of the experiments in this study was to explore the effect of dulaglutide on IUA and to elucidate its mechanism to provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of IUA. An IUA mouse model was established via mechanical curettage and inflammation induction; mice received subcutaneous injection with three doses of dulaglutide once a day for two weeks (treatment) or equal amounts of sterile ddH2O (control), and sham-operated mice were treated similarly to the control mice. Mice were sacrificed, and uterine tissues were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining for histomorphological and pathological analyses and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) for gene and protein expression analyses. Dulaglutide improved the shape of the uterine cavity, increased endometrial thickness and the number of glands, and significantly reduced the area of collagen fiber deposition in the endometrium. It significantly reduced collagen type I A 1 (COL1A1), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), F4/80 (macrophage), vimentin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) mRNA levels and COL1A1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, F4/80, vimentin, E-cadherin, TGF-β, and p-Smad2 protein expression levels. This study demonstrates that dulaglutide reduces inflammatory responses by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization and inflammatory factor release and may ameliorate fibrosis by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via TGF-β/Smad2 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yixiang Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yang Wu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yiqing Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Gansu International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Reproductive Medicine Transformation Application, Gansu Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou 730000, China
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