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Varzi V, Fratini E, Falconieri M, Giovannini D, Cemmi A, Scifo J, Di Sarcina I, Aprà P, Sturari S, Mino L, Tomagra G, Infusino E, Landoni V, Marino C, Mancuso M, Picollo F, Pazzaglia S. Nanodiamond Effects on Cancer Cell Radiosensitivity: The Interplay between Their Chemical/Physical Characteristics and the Irradiation Energy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16622. [PMID: 38068942 PMCID: PMC10706717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticles are being increasingly studied to enhance radiation effects. Among them, nanodiamonds (NDs) are taken into great consideration due to their low toxicity, inertness, chemical stability, and the possibility of surface functionalization. The objective of this study is to explore the influence of the chemical/physical properties of NDs on cellular radiosensitivity to combined treatments with radiation beams of different energies. DAOY, a human radioresistant medulloblastoma cell line was treated with NDs-differing for surface modifications [hydrogenated (H-NDs) and oxidized (OX-NDs)], size, and concentration-and analysed for (i) ND internalization and intracellular localization, (ii) clonogenic survival after combined treatment with different radiation beam energies and (iii) DNA damage and apoptosis, to explore the nature of ND-radiation biological interactions. Results show that chemical/physical characteristics of NDs are crucial in determining cell toxicity, with hydrogenated NDs (H-NDs) decreasing either cellular viability when administered alone, or cell survival when combined with radiation, depending on ND size and concentration, while OX-NDs do not. Also, irradiation at high energy (γ-rays at 1.25 MeV), in combination with H-NDs, is more efficient in eliciting radiosensitisation when compared to irradiation at lower energy (X-rays at 250 kVp). Finally, the molecular mechanisms of ND radiosensitisation was addressed, demonstrating that cell killing is mediated by the induction of Caspase-3-dependent apoptosis that is independent to DNA damage. Identifying the optimal combination of ND characteristics and radiation energy has the potential to offer a promising therapeutic strategy for tackling radioresistant cancers using H-NDs in conjunction with high-energy radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Varzi
- Physics Department, National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Section of Turin, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125 Turin, Italy; (V.V.); (P.A.); (S.S.)
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (D.G.); (C.M.); (M.M.)
- Nanomaterials for Industry and Sustainability (NIS) Inter-Departmental Centre, University of Turin, Via Quarello 15/A, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Emiliano Fratini
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (D.G.); (C.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Mauro Falconieri
- Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy;
| | - Daniela Giovannini
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (D.G.); (C.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Alessia Cemmi
- Innovative Nuclear Systems Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (J.S.); (I.D.S.)
| | - Jessica Scifo
- Innovative Nuclear Systems Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (J.S.); (I.D.S.)
| | - Ilaria Di Sarcina
- Innovative Nuclear Systems Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (J.S.); (I.D.S.)
| | - Pietro Aprà
- Physics Department, National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Section of Turin, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125 Turin, Italy; (V.V.); (P.A.); (S.S.)
- Nanomaterials for Industry and Sustainability (NIS) Inter-Departmental Centre, University of Turin, Via Quarello 15/A, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Sofia Sturari
- Physics Department, National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Section of Turin, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125 Turin, Italy; (V.V.); (P.A.); (S.S.)
- Nanomaterials for Industry and Sustainability (NIS) Inter-Departmental Centre, University of Turin, Via Quarello 15/A, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Mino
- Nanomaterials for Industry and Sustainability (NIS) Inter-Departmental Centre, University of Turin, Via Quarello 15/A, 10125 Turin, Italy;
- Chemistry Department, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Tomagra
- Drug Science and Technology Department, University of Turin, Corso Raffaello 30, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Erminia Infusino
- Medical Physics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (E.I.); (V.L.)
| | - Valeria Landoni
- Medical Physics Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy; (E.I.); (V.L.)
| | - Carmela Marino
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (D.G.); (C.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Mariateresa Mancuso
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (D.G.); (C.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Federico Picollo
- Physics Department, National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Section of Turin, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 1, 10125 Turin, Italy; (V.V.); (P.A.); (S.S.)
- Nanomaterials for Industry and Sustainability (NIS) Inter-Departmental Centre, University of Turin, Via Quarello 15/A, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Simonetta Pazzaglia
- Laboratory of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy; (E.F.); (D.G.); (C.M.); (M.M.)
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Pozio A, Di Carli M, Aurora A, Falconieri M, Della Seta L, Prosini PP. Hard Carbons for Use as Electrodes in Li-S and Li-ion Batteries. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2022; 12:nano12081349. [PMID: 35458062 PMCID: PMC9027466 DOI: 10.3390/nano12081349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Activated hard carbons, obtained from the pyrolysis of various waste biomasses, were prepared and characterized for use as the active material for the fabrication of battery electrodes. The preparation consisted of a pyrolysis process, followed by an activation with KOH and a further high-temperature thermal process. TG and DTA were used to discriminate the steps of the activation process, while SEM, XRD, and Raman characterization were employed to evaluate the effects of activation. The activated carbons were tested as electrodes in lithium-sulfur and lithium-ion batteries. The carbonaceous materials coming from cherry stones and walnut shells have proved to be particularly suitable as electrode components. When used as anodes in lithium-ion batteries, both carbons exhibited a high first cycle discharge capacity, which was not restored during the next charge. After the first two cycles, in which there was a marked loss of capacity, both electrodes showed good reversibility. When used as cathodes in lithium-sulfur batteries, both carbons exhibited good catalytic activity against the redox reaction involving sulfur species with good cycle stability and satisfactory Coulombic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Pozio
- TERIN-PSU-ABI, ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, S. Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (M.D.C.); (A.A.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Mariasole Di Carli
- TERIN-PSU-ABI, ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, S. Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (M.D.C.); (A.A.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Annalisa Aurora
- TERIN-PSU-ABI, ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, S. Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (M.D.C.); (A.A.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Mauro Falconieri
- FSN-TECFIS, ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, S. Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome, Italy;
| | - Livia Della Seta
- TERIN-PSU-ABI, ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, S. Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (M.D.C.); (A.A.); (L.D.S.)
| | - Pier Paolo Prosini
- TERIN-PSU-ABI, ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, S. Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (M.D.C.); (A.A.); (L.D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-3048-6768
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Iannilli V, Di Gennaro A, Lecce F, Sighicelli M, Falconieri M, Pietrelli L, Poeta G, Battisti C. Microplastics in Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda): new evidence of ingestion from natural contexts. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2018; 25:28725-28729. [PMID: 30109688 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2932-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurements and comparing the spectrum peaks (range 4000-600 cm-1) with reference spectra database and instrument libraries, we observed new evidence of the ingestion of microplastic particles analyzing the digestive tracts of Talitrus saltator. Specimens, sampled in central Italy, probably ingested the particles with natural detritus. Since worldwide many species of invertebrates and vertebrates (e.g., birds) feed on Amphipoda along coastal ecosystems, we hypothesized that microplastic in these crustaceans can be accumulated along the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francesca Lecce
- ENEA C.R. Casaccia, via Anguillarese, 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Loris Pietrelli
- ENEA C.R. Casaccia, via Anguillarese, 301, 00123, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Poeta
- Department of Sciences, University of Rome III, viale Marconi, 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Battisti
- 'Torre Flavia' LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Protected Areas - Regional Parks Service, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, via Tiburtina, 691, 00159, Rome, Italy
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Sighicelli M, Pietrelli L, Lecce F, Iannilli V, Falconieri M, Coscia L, Di Vito S, Nuglio S, Zampetti G. Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Italian Subalpine Lakes. Environ Pollut 2018; 236:645-651. [PMID: 29433105 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris incidence in marine environment was already highlighted in the early 1970s. Over the last decade, microplastic pollution in the environment has received increasing attention and is now an emerging research area. Many studies have focused on quantifying microplastic abundance in the marine environment, while there are relatively few data on microplastic occurrence in freshwater environment. Recent studies have reported high concentrations of microplastics in lakes and rivers, although the understanding of several factors influencing source, transport and fate is still limited. This study compares different lakes and the common factors, which could influence the occurrence and distribution of microplastics. The three subalpine lakes monitored include Lake Maggiore, Iseo and Garda. The selected sampling transects reflect the hydrologic conditions, the morphometric characteristics of these lakes, and other factors influencing the release of plastics debris in lakes. Particles of microplastics (<5 mm) were found in all sampled surfaces. The particles collected were classified depending on their number, shape and composition. The shape distribution showed the dominating occurrence of fragments (73.7%). The chemical composition of all examined samples clearly shows dominating presence of polyethylene (45%), polystyrene (18%) and polypropylene (15%). The results provide significant relations among the different contribution of direct and diffuse sources to the quantity of microplastics, highlighting the importance of understanding the spatial distribution dynamics of microplastics within a lake system that acts as a sink and source of plastic particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sighicelli
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Loris Pietrelli
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Lecce
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Iannilli
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Falconieri
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy
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Gagliardi S, Falconieri M. Experimental determination of the light-trapping-induced absorption enhancement factor in DSSC photoanodes. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2015; 6:886-892. [PMID: 25977859 PMCID: PMC4419673 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.6.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
For dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), the fundamental process that determines the maximum short-circuit current is the absorption of light. In such devices, this is produced by the concurrent phenomena of light absorption by dye molecules and light trapping in the mesoporous, titania photoanode structure. The decoupling of these two phenomena is important for device characterization and the design of novel photoelectrode geometries with increased optical performance. In this paper, this task is addressed by introducing a spectral absorption enhancement factor as a parameter to quantify the light trapping effect. The experimental value of this parameter was obtained by comparing the experimentally determined fraction of absorbed light by a dye-sensitized photoanode with the light absorbed by the dye without the mesoporous titania structure. In order to gain more insight from this result, the fraction of light absorbed in the photoanode (on the basis of the dye loading capacity of the titania nanospheres) was also calculated by an optical model for the two extreme cases of the absence of light trapping and maximum light trapping. Accordingly, the photocurrent was calculated under the assumption of solar irradiation, which defined two useful boundaries. Using the experimentally derived values of the spectral absorption enhancement factor in the photoanode optical model, the DSSC short-circuit current can be calculated with good agreement with the value measured in practical devices based on the same photoanode structures. Therefore, our approach provides a realistic description of a practical device and can be exploited as an useful tool to assess the optical functionality of novel photoanode structures.
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Sharma G, Bagga R, Cemmi A, Falconieri M, Baccaro S. Spectroscopic investigations on γ-irradiated Eu3+ and Dy3+ doped oxyfluoride glasses. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2014.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Zanoni R, Ioannidu C, Mazzola L, Politi L, Misiano C, Longo G, Falconieri M, Scandurra R. Graphitic carbon in a nanostructured titanium oxycarbide thin film to improve implant osseointegration. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2015; 46:409-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2014.10.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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D'Amato R, Venditti I, Russo MV, Falconieri M. Growth control and long-range self-assembly of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanospheres. J Appl Polym Sci 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/app.24823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Liu L, Rannels SR, Falconieri M, Phillips KS, Wolpert EB, Weaver TE. The testis isoform of the phosphorylase kinase catalytic subunit (PhK-gammaT) plays a critical role in regulation of glycogen mobilization in developing lung. J Biol Chem 1996; 271:11761-6. [PMID: 8662648 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.271.20.11761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to identify the form of phosphorylase kinase catalytic subunit expressed in developing lung, degenerate polymerase chain reaction primers were designed based on conserved domains of the two known catalytic subunits, expressed primarily in muscle and testis. Amplification of cDNA from day 19 fetal rat lung followed by cloning and sequence analyses indicated that only the testis isoform of phosphorylase kinase (PhK-gammaT) was detectable in fetal lung. In situ hybridization analyses indicated that expression of PhK-gammaT RNA in developing lung tissue was widespread and not restricted to Type II epithelial cells; PhK-gammaT protein expression was temporally and spatially correlated with expression of PhK-gammaT RNA. PhK-gammaT RNA and protein expression was also characterized in the PhK-deficient glycogen storage disease (gsd) rat. PhK-gammaT RNA levels were similar in Type II cells isolated from wild type and gsd/gsd fetuses; in contrast, PhK-gammaT protein was virtually undetectable in gsd/ gsd Type II cells and enzyme activity was very low. These results suggest that PhK-gammaT plays a critical role in mobilization of glycogen during fetal lung development and that failure to catabolize glycogen in the gsd/gsd rat is related to an untranslatable PhK-gammaT RNA or unstable protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Liu
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA
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Falconieri M, Salvetti G. Effects of co-dopant concentrations and excitation conditions on the 2 ?m fluorescence dynamics in Tm, Ho:YLF crystals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1994. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00348228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Giaccari S, Tronci S, Falconieri M, Ferrieri A. Long-term treatment with rifaximin and lactobacilli in post-diverticulitic stenoses of the colon. Riv Eur Sci Med Farmacol 1993; 15:29-34. [PMID: 8159832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The authors report their endoscopic experience in the treatment of intestinal inflammatory complications and their prevention with cyclic antibiotic treatment (rifaximin 400 mg b.i.d. for 7 days/month), followed by recolonizing treatment with lactobacilli (2 capsules in the morning for 7 days/month), for an overall period of 12 months. In all 79 cases (45 males and 34 females, mean age 63 years, range 55-75 years), the treatment proved capable of controlling the symptoms and averting the onset of the complications which follow attacks of acute diverticulitis. These complications include uncontrollable sepsis, free perforation of a hollow viscus, evolutive fistulation, intestinal occlusion, abscesses not drained percutaneously, all factors which necessitate urgent elective surgery. Rifaximin, together with lactobacillus treatment, proved to be effective, well-tolerated and safe, and can thus be considered an indispensable aid in the treatment of diverticular disease and in the prevention of its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giaccari
- Divisione di Gastroenterologia, O.C. Galatina, Istituto Wassermann, Alfa Wasserman S.p.A
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