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Yasuda A, Kubo K. Effects of Static Stretching on the Blood Circulation of Human Tendon In Vivo. TRANSLATIONAL SPORTS MEDICINE 2024; 2024:4413113. [PMID: 38654719 PMCID: PMC11023726 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4413113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of 2- and 5 min of static stretching protocols on the changes in blood circulation of tendon (as well as muscle) and heart rate. Twelve healthy males (age: 26.2 ± 9.1 yrs) volunteered for this study. Before, during stretching, during the recovery period (30 min), blood circulation (oxyhemoglobin; oxy, deoxyhemoglobin; deoxy, blood volume; THb, oxygen saturation; StO2) of the Achilles tendon and medial gastrocnemius muscle were measured using red laser lights and near-infrared spectroscopy. In addition, heart rate was measured during the experimental period. For 2- and 5 min of static stretching, oxy, deoxy, THb, and StO2 of the tendon did not change during or after stretching. Regarding muscle blood circulation, oxy and StO2 decreased, and deoxy and THb increased during 2- and 5 min of static stretching but returned immediately upon completion. In addition, heart rate significantly reduced during and after stretching, whereas the changes in blood volume of tendon and muscle during stretching were not associated with those in heart rate (except for the relationship between tendon THb and heart rate in 2 min of static stretching). These results suggest that static stretching showed no change in tendon blood circulation, although muscle blood circulation during stretching was altered. In addition, significant heart rate reduction with static stretching was not associated with changes in tendon and muscle blood circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Yasuda
- Department of Life Science (Sports Sciences), The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Keitaro Kubo
- Department of Life Science (Sports Sciences), The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
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Zhang HN, Chen JG, Wang XY, Fan S, Bao A, Li HN, Wang JG. Efficacy comparison between acupuncture and other modalities in the treatment of rotator cuff diseases: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Transl Res 2024; 16:599-616. [PMID: 38463603 PMCID: PMC10918137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of acupuncture alone or combined with physical therapy compared to other treatment interventions for relieving pain and improving function in rotator cuff diseases. METHODS Our study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After PROSPERO (CRD42023396740) registration, all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from the inception of the databases to October 10, 2023, evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture either alone or in combination with physical therapy for treating rotator cuff diseases, were extracted from seven databases, including PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), and the Wanfang Date. Two independent researchers assessed the quality of the included studies and extracted relevant data. Furthermore, a meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14 software. RESULTS We included 13 RCTs - 12 published in English and 1 in Chinese - that enrolled 1,371 patients. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that acupuncture alone or in combination with physical therapy was superior to other interventions for short-term shoulder joint function improvement (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.82, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: -1.28 to -0.35, P = 0.001), medium-term shoulder joint function improvement (SMD = -1.00, 95% CI: -1.62 to -0.38, P = 0.002), short-term pain relief (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -1.37, 95% CI: -2.39 to -0.38, P = 0.006), medium-term pain relief (WMD = -1.66, 95% CI: -2.70 to -0.63, P = 0.002), and post-treatment shoulder joint abduction improvements (SMD = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.16, P = 0.005), external rotation (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.13 to 1.11, P = 0.012), and forward flexion (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.97, P < 0.001), with significant differences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Based on the current clinical data, meta-analysis showed that acupuncture alone or combined with physical therapy is efficacious for short- and medium-term (< 3 months) pain relief and functional improvements. However, compared to other interventions, the efficacy of the long-term (3 to 12 months) period did not significantly differ. After treatment, these modalities displayed advantages such as improved shoulder joint abduction, external rotation, and forward flexion movements. However, no significant difference was noted in internal rotation movement. Thus, future studies might further investigate whether different acupuncture methods affect the efficacy of treating rotator cuff diseases and improving long-term outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Ning Zhang
- Tuina Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ge Chen
- Orthopedics Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yu Wang
- Tuina Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Shun Fan
- Tuina Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
| | - An Bao
- Tuina Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
- National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Level Three Laboratory for Tuina Technique Biological EffectsTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Hua-Nan Li
- Tuina Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
- National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Level Three Laboratory for Tuina Technique Biological EffectsTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin-Gui Wang
- Tuina Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and MoxibustionTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
- National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Level Three Laboratory for Tuina Technique Biological EffectsTianjin, The People’s Republic of China
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Kubo K, Yasuda A, Yajima H, Takayama M, Takakura N. Effects of acupuncture and acupressure of the acupoint compared to the tendon on the blood circulation of human tendon in vivo. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:269-279. [PMID: 37452889 PMCID: PMC10786965 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and acupressure of acupoints on tendon blood circulation with those of both types of stimulation of tendon itself. METHODS Before, during (except for acupressure), and after acupuncture and acupressure of the tendon and acupoint, blood circulation of the Achilles tendon was measured using red laser lights. RESULTS The blood volume of the treated and non-treated tendons increased after acupuncture of the tendon (effect of time p = 0.030), whereas that tended to increase after acupuncture of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.063). In addition, no significant difference in the increases in blood volume was found among the four conditions, i.e., after acupuncture stimulation of the tendon and acupoint for the treated and non-treated tendons (p = 0.492). The blood volume of the treated tendon significantly increased after acupressure of the tendon (effect of time p < 0.001), but not of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.260), whereas that of the non-treated tendon did not change after acupressure of both the tendon and acupoint. CONCLUSION These results suggested that acupuncture of the tendon and acupoint acted centrally to enhance blood circulation of both the treated and non-treated tendons during the recovery period, whereas acupressure of the tendon locally increased blood circulation of the treated tendon only, but not the non-treated tendon and both the treated and non-treated tendons after acupressure of acupoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Kubo
- Department of Life Science (Sports Sciences), The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.
| | - Ayaka Yasuda
- Department of Life Science (Sports Sciences), The University of Tokyo, Komaba 3-8-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Yajima
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Ariake 2-9-1, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, 135-0063, Japan
| | - Miho Takayama
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Ariake 2-9-1, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, 135-0063, Japan
| | - Nobuari Takakura
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences, Ariake 2-9-1, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, 135-0063, Japan
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Viudes-Sarrión N, Aleixandre-Carrera F, Beltrá P, Ortega FJ, Molina-Payá FJ, Velasco E, Delicado-Miralles M. Blood flow effects of percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation. A blinded, randomized clinical trial. Eur J Clin Invest 2024; 54:e14091. [PMID: 37675595 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vasculature function is mainly regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Importantly, the sensory-motor nervous system also innervates peripheral vessels and has the capacity to modulate vascular tone. Here we investigated the effects of electrical stimulation of a mixed nerve trunk on blood flow in deep arteries and muscle perfusion. Our hypothesis is that stimulation of a mixed nerve can modify blood flow. METHODS Twenty-nine healthy participants were included into a randomized-crossover and blinded clinical trial. Each subject received a placebo and two percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (pPNS) protocols on the median nerve: Pain Threshold continuous Low Frequency (PT-cLF) and Sensory Threshold burst High Frequency (ST-bHF). Blood flow was then assessed bilaterally using Power Doppler Ultrasonography at the main arteries of the arm, and blood perfusion at the forearm muscles. Afterwards, blood flow was quantified using a semi-automatized software, freely shared here. RESULTS Placebo, consisting in needle insertion, produced an immediate and generalized reduction on peak systolic velocity in all arteries. Although nerve stimulation produced mainly no effects, some significant differences were found: both protocols increased the relative perfusion area of the forearm muscles, the ST-bHF protocol prevented the reduction in peak systolic velocity and TAMEAN of the radial artery produced by the control protocol and PT-cLF produced a TAMEAN reduction of the ulnar artery. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, the arterial blood flow in the arm is mainly impervious to the electrical stimulation of the median nerve, composed by autonomic and sensory-motor axons, although it produces mild modifications in the forearm muscles perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Viudes-Sarrión
- Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Human Movement Biomechanics Research Group, Deptartment of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Neuroscience in Physiotherapy (NiP), Independent Research Group, Elche, Spain
| | - Fernando Aleixandre-Carrera
- Neuroscience in Physiotherapy (NiP), Independent Research Group, Elche, Spain
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - Patricia Beltrá
- Neuroscience in Physiotherapy (NiP), Independent Research Group, Elche, Spain
- Physical Therapy Department, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Ortega
- Physical therapy and advanced rehabilitation clinic RehAv Elche, Elche, Spain
- Physical Therapy Department, Health Sciences Faculty, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, CEU Universities, Elche, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Molina-Payá
- Physical Therapy Department, Health Sciences Faculty, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, CEU Universities, Elche, Spain
| | - Enrique Velasco
- Neuroscience in Physiotherapy (NiP), Independent Research Group, Elche, Spain
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Miguel Delicado-Miralles
- Neuroscience in Physiotherapy (NiP), Independent Research Group, Elche, Spain
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, San Juan de Alicante, Spain
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Foley C, Litscher G. A Biophysical Model for Cardiovascular Effects of Acupuncture-Underlying Mechanisms Based on First Principles. Med Acupunct 2022; 34:353-370. [PMID: 36644426 PMCID: PMC9805889 DOI: 10.1089/acu.2022.0050] [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: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
According to recent translations by medical professionals of the foundational texts of Chinese Medicine, the acupuncture channel system can be reconciled with the neurovasculature. From there, the underlying mechanisms of the effects of acupuncture can be drawn from established physiology and known physical laws. A large body of research has been carried out using cardiovascular markers to measure the effects of acupuncture. Three of these parameters are re-viewed and explored anew in detail. The focus is on changes in microcirculation, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. The physiological mechanisms accounting for the observed changes are proposed to be ascending vasodilatation, resetting of the baroreceptor reflex, and re-organization of heart beating patterns around intrinsically assigned attractor sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Foley
- Biophysicist and Licensed Acupuncturist (MSc. Biophysics, NP, Ac. Lic.), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gerhard Litscher
- Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Yasuda A, Sasajima S, Kosaka T, Kubo K. Changes in tendon blood circulation and heart rate variability after intermittent compression to patellar and Achilles tendons. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2022; 97:105690. [PMID: 35696827 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2022.105690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare changes in tendon blood circulation and heart rate variability after intermittent compression to the patellar and Achilles tendons. METHODS Before the intermittent compression to tendons (3 min) and the recovery period (40 min), the blood volume and oxygen saturation of the patellar and Achilles tendons were measured using red laser lights. In addition, heart rate and ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability were measured. FINDINGS Blood volume and oxygen saturation of patellar and Achilles tendons significantly increased after intermittent compression stimulation (both p ≤ 0.001). There were no differences in increases of blood volume (p = 0.575) and oxygen saturation (p = 0.055) between patellar and Achilles tendons. For both tendons treatments, heart rate (p = 0.698) and ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability (p = 0.518) did not change during the experimental period. In addition, the change in blood volume for Achilles tendon was significantly correlated with that in heart rate but not ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability, whereas the change in blood volume for patellar tendon was not significantly correlated with that in the heart rate or ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability,. INTERPRETATION These results suggest that intermittent compression-induced changes in blood circulation were similar between patellar and Achilles tendons. In addition, the increase in blood volume after intermittent compression stimulation in the Achilles tendon would be related to the increased metabolism of the tendon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Yasuda
- Department of Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Sasajima
- Department of Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiro Kosaka
- Department of Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keitaro Kubo
- Department of Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
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Lázaro-Navas I, Lorenzo-Sánchez-Aguilera C, Pecos-Martín D, Jiménez-Rejano JJ, Navarro-Santana MJ, Fernández-Carnero J, Gallego-Izquierdo T. Immediate Effects of Dry Needling on the Autonomic Nervous System and Mechanical Hyperalgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18116018. [PMID: 34205103 PMCID: PMC8199958 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18116018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dry needling (DN) is often used for the treatment of muscle pain among physiotherapists. However, little is known about the mechanisms of action by which its effects are generated. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if the use of DN in healthy subjects activates the sympathetic nervous system, thus resulting in a decrease in pain caused by stress. METHODS Sixty-five healthy volunteer subjects were recruited from the University of Alcala, Madrid, Spain, with an age of 27.78 (SD = 8.41) years. The participants were randomly assigned to participate in a group with deep DN in the adductor pollicis muscle or a placebo needling group. The autonomic nervous system was evaluated, in addition to local and remote mechanical hyperalgesia. RESULTS In a comparison of the moment at which the needling intervention was carried out with the baseline, the heart rate of the dry needling group significantly increased by 20.60% (SE = 2.88), whereas that of the placebo group increased by 5.33% (SE = 2.32) (p = 0.001, d = 1.02). The pressure pain threshold showed significant differences between both groups, being significantly higher in the needling group (adductor muscle p = 0.001; d = 0.85; anterior tibialis muscle p = 0.022, d = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS This work appears to indicate that dry needling produces an immediate activation in the sympathetic nervous system, improving local and distant mechanical hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Lázaro-Navas
- Department of Physical Therapy, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- University of Alcalá, Instituto de Fisioterapia y Dolor, 28805 Madrid, Spain; (C.L.-S.-A.); (D.P.-M.); (T.G.-I.)
| | | | - Daniel Pecos-Martín
- University of Alcalá, Instituto de Fisioterapia y Dolor, 28805 Madrid, Spain; (C.L.-S.-A.); (D.P.-M.); (T.G.-I.)
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Jose Jesús Jiménez-Rejano
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podology, University of Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain;
| | | | - Josué Fernández-Carnero
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo Multidisciplinar de Investigación y Tratamiento del Dolor, Grupo de Excelencia Investigadora URJC-Banco de Santander, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28032 Madrid, Spain
- Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-914-888-949
| | - Tomás Gallego-Izquierdo
- University of Alcalá, Instituto de Fisioterapia y Dolor, 28805 Madrid, Spain; (C.L.-S.-A.); (D.P.-M.); (T.G.-I.)
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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Alraek T. Pain and acupuncture: What is it in me that hurts? Integr Med Res 2020; 10:100712. [PMID: 33665086 PMCID: PMC7903346 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2020.100712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Terje Alraek
- School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
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