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Gómez-Mercado CA, Escobar N, González MC, Lince M, Vásquez MC, Arango-Alzate CM, Segura-Cardona AM, Mejía-Sandobal G, Barraza-Villareal A. Exposición intrauterina a disruptores endocrinos (ftalatos): fuentes de exposición y cuantificación de metabolitos urinarios. Univ Salud 2022. [DOI: 10.22267/rus.222403.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducción: Los ftalatos son disruptores endocrinos usados en la fabricación de múltiples productos de la industria, principalmente plásticos. El periodo fetal representa la principal ventana de vulnerabilidad, y la exposición a ftalatos en esta etapa de vida genera efectos adversos fetales y postnatales. El biomarcador más fiable para medición de ftalatos es la orina. Objetivo: Caracterizar las diferentes fuentes de exposición a disruptores endocrinos y cuantificar la concentración urinaria de Ftalatos en gestantes. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional y descriptivo que incluye 400 gestantes que asistieron a control prenatal en las instituciones de salud Génesis y Metrosalud (Medellín-Colombia). Se caracterizaron fuentes de exposición, se recolectó muestras de orina de todas las gestantes, y cuantificó la concentración de ftalatos de 38 mujeres. Resultados: Las medias geométricas de Ftalato Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP), Mono-n-butyl phthalate(MnBP), Mono-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl phthalate(MEHHP) y Mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate(MEOHP) fueron 162,72µg/L, 58,5 µg/L, 33,93µg/L y 31,63µg/L respectivamente. Conclusiones: La mayoría de las gestantes evaluadas han estado expuestas a lo largo de su vida a fuentes potenciales de disruptores endocrinos, presentes en químicos domésticos, tabaco y uso frecuente de cosméticos faciales y corporales. Las concentraciones de MnBP, MEHHP y MEOHP en orina de las participantes, fueron superiores a los hallazgos a nivel mundial.
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Escobar N, Bautista I, Peña N, Fenollosa ML, Osca JM, Sanjuán N. Life Cycle Thinking for the environmental and financial assessment of rice management systems in the Senegal River Valley. J Environ Manage 2022; 310:114722. [PMID: 35217446 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114722] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Rice is a staple food in Senegal, which however imports more than 70% of the rice consumed annually to meet its domestic demand. Despite governmental efforts to increase rice self-sufficiency, both rice supply and yields remain low. Senegalese farmers face challenges related to irrigation infrastructure and fertiliser access, besides those derived from climate change. This study applies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) combined with financial Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to evaluate alternative scenarios for rice management in the Senegal River Valley and identify sustainability hotspots and potential improvements. Specifically, rice cultivation in Ross Béthio (Saint Louis, Senegal) is assessed based on the observed agricultural practices during the dry seasons of 2016 and 2017. Two scenarios capturing conventional (CONV) and intensive (INT) practices are compared to two reference scenarios (SAED scenarios) according to the recommendations of the official agricultural advisory service. The INT scenario generates the lowest impacts per kg of paddy rice in seven out of thirteen impact categories, including climate change, freshwater and marine eutrophication, ozone depletion and water scarcity. This is due to the higher yields (7.4 t ha-1) relative to CONV (4.8 t ha-1) and the two reference SAED scenarios (6.0 t ha-1). The two latter scenarios show the lowest values in the remaining categories, although they also generate slightly lower profits than INT (138 € t-1 vs. 149 € t-1) due to increased labour costs for additional fertilisation treatments. The results from both LCA and LCC underline the importance of increasing yields to decrease environmental impacts and production costs of rice when estimated per kg of product. Well-designed fertiliser application doses and timing and increased mechanisation can deliver further environmental benefits. Additional improvements (e.g. in irrigation, crop rotations, straw management) could be considered to promote the long-term sustainability and profitability of rice production in Senegal. LCA in combination with financial LCC is identified as a decision-support tool for evaluating the sustainability of alternative crop management practices. Life Cycle Thinking can still benefit from experiential learning based on information exchange between farmers, researchers and extension agents to contribute to a sustainable agriculture and ultimately to food security in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Escobar
- Integrated Biosphere Futures (IBF) Research Group, Biodiversity and Natural Resources (BNR) Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, 2361, Laxenburg, Austria.
| | - I Bautista
- Research Group in Forest Science and Technology (Re-ForeST), Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, Spain
| | - N Peña
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, C. de Roda 70, 08500, Vic, Spain
| | - M L Fenollosa
- Departament d'Economia y Ciències Socials, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, Spain
| | - J M Osca
- Department de Producció Vegetal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, Spain
| | - N Sanjuán
- Research Group in Analysis and Simulation of Food Processes (ASPA), Departament de Tecnologia d'Aliments, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, Spain
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Romero N, Areche C, Cubides-Cárdenas J, Escobar N, García-Beltrán O, Simirgiotis MJ, Céspedes Á. In Vitro Anthelmintic Evaluation of Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, and Pithecellobium dulce: Fingerprint Analysis of Extracts by UHPLC-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25133002. [PMID: 32630065 PMCID: PMC7412154 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25133002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present work, the anthelmintic activity (AA) of ethanolic extracts obtained from Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, and Pithecellobium dulce was evaluated using the third-stage-larval (L3) exsheathment inhibition test (LEIT) and egg hatch test (EHT) on Haemonchus contortus. Extracts were tested at concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.5, 5.0, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL. The larval exsheathment inhibition (LEI) results showed that G. sepium achieved the highest average inhibition of 91.2%, compared with 44.6% for P. dulce and 41.0% for L. leucocephala at a concentration of 40 mg/mL; the corresponding IC50 values were 22.4, 41.7, and 43.3 mg/mL, respectively. The rates of egg hatching inhibition (EHI) at a concentration of 5 mg/mL were 99.5% for G. sepium, 64.2% for P. dulce, and 54% for L. leucocephala; the corresponding IC50 values were 1.9 mg/mL for G. sepium, 3.9 mg/mL for P. dulce, and 4.3 mg/mL for L. leucocephala. The species extracts studied here were also analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap/MS/MS), resulting in the compounds' identification associated with AA. Glycosylated flavonoids and methoxyphenols were observed in all three species: fatty acids in G. sepium and P. dulce; phenylpropanoids, anthraquinone glycosides, amino acids and glycosylated phenolic acids in G. sepium; and flavonoids in L. leucocephala. Comparatively, G. sepium presented a greater diversity of compounds potentially active against the control of gastrointestinal nematodes, which was associated with the results obtained in the applied tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor Romero
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué 730001, Colombia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Carlos Areche
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425, Nuñoa, Santiago 7800024, Chile;
| | - Jaime Cubides-Cárdenas
- Grupo de Investigación e Innovación en Salud y Bienestar Animal, Laboratorio de Salud Animal, Centro de Investigación Tibaitatá, Agrosavia, Mosquera 250047, Colombia;
| | - Natalia Escobar
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cundinamarca, Fusagasugá 252212, Colombia;
| | - Olimpo García-Beltrán
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad de Ibagué, Carrera 22 Calle 67, Ibagué 730002, Colombia;
| | | | - Ángel Céspedes
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué 730001, Colombia;
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Balinotti JE, Chang DV, Lubovich S, Rodríguez V, Zaragoza S, Escobar N, Kofman C, Pérez GL, Ardiles V, Teper A. Course of lung function in children with cystic fibrosis in their first 3 years of life. ARCH ARGENT PEDIATR 2019; 117:323-329. [PMID: 31560488 DOI: 10.5546/aap.2019.eng.323] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The early prevention of respiratory complications in children with cystic fibrosis is determining for a longer survival. The implementation of lung function tests in the first months of life allows to detect respiratory involvement, even in asymptomatic children. OBJECTIVE To assess the course of lung function in children with cystic fibrosis in their first 3 years of life and identify the factors affecting it. POPULATION AND METHODS Observational, retrospective, analytical study. Children younger than 36 months with at least 2 lung function tests were included. RESULTS Between 2008 and 2016, 48 patients were included; 85 % of them had been diagnosed by newborn screening. The first lung function test was done at 5 months old. The median Z-score of maximal flow at functional residual capacity was -0.05 (interquartile range: -1.09 to 1.08). The median change in the maximal flow Z-score between tests was -0.32 (interquartile range: -1.11 to 0.25), p = 0.045. Patients with Staphylococcus aureus respiratory infections, especially methicillin-resistant SA, evidenced a greater deterioration of lung function compared to those without infection. Neither sex nor the type of genetic mutation were associated with the course of lung function. Nutritional recovery throughout the study was really good. CONCLUSION Lung function in children with cystic fibrosis worsens progressively during their first 3 years of life. These findings are associated with Staphylococcus aureus respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan E Balinotti
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
| | - Daniel V Chang
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Silvina Lubovich
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Viviana Rodríguez
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Silvina Zaragoza
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Natalia Escobar
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Carlos Kofman
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Gabriela L Pérez
- Área de Investigación no patrocinada, Departamento de Investigación, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Victoria Ardiles
- Área de Investigación no patrocinada, Departamento de Investigación, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Alejandro Teper
- Centro Respiratorio "Dr. Alberto R. Álvarez", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
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Jan Vonk P, Escobar N, Wösten HAB, Lugones LG, Ohm RA. High-throughput targeted gene deletion in the model mushroom Schizophyllum commune using pre-assembled Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7632. [PMID: 31113995 PMCID: PMC6529522 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44133-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient gene deletion methods are essential for the high-throughput study of gene function. Compared to most ascomycete model systems, gene deletion is more laborious in mushroom-forming basidiomycetes due to the relatively low incidence of homologous recombination (HR) and relatively high incidence of non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). Here, we describe the use of pre-assembled Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) to efficiently delete the homeodomain transcription factor gene hom2 in the mushroom-forming basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune by replacing it with a selectable marker. All components (Cas9 protein, sgRNA, and repair template with selectable marker) were supplied to wild type protoplasts by PEG-mediated transformation, abolishing the need to optimize the expression of cas9 and sgRNAs. A Δku80 background further increased the efficiency of gene deletion. A repair template with homology arms of 250 bp was sufficient to efficiently induce homologous recombination. This is the first report of the use of pre-assembled Cas9 RNPs in a mushroom-forming basidiomycete and this approach may also improve the genetic accessibility of non-model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Jan Vonk
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Natalia Escobar
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Han A B Wösten
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Luis G Lugones
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robin A Ohm
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Valdes ID, van den Berg J, Haagsman A, Escobar N, Meis JF, Hagen F, Haas PJ, Houbraken J, Wösten HAB, de Cock H. Comparative genotyping and phenotyping of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates from humans, dogs and the environment. BMC Microbiol 2018; 18:118. [PMID: 30223790 PMCID: PMC6142626 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-018-1244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous saprotrophic fungus and an opportunistic pathogen of humans and animals. Humans and animals can inhale hundreds of A. fumigatus spores daily. Normally this is harmless for humans, but in case of immunodeficiency, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) can develop with a high mortality rate. A. fumigatus also causes non-invasive mycoses like sino-nasal aspergillosis (SNA) in dogs. Results In this study we compared A. fumigatus isolates from humans with suspected IPA, dogs with SNA, and a set of environmental isolates. Phylogenetic inference based on calmodulin (CaM) and beta-tubulin (benA) sequences did not reveal A. fumigatus sub-groups linked to the origin of the isolates. Genotyping and microsatellite analysis showed that each dog was infected by one A. fumigatus genotype, whereas human patients had mixed infections. Azole resistance was determined by antifungal susceptibility testing and sequencing of the cyp51A gene. A total of 12 out of 29 human isolates and 1 out of 27 environmental isolates were azole resistant. Of the azole resistant strains, 11 human isolates showed TR34/L98H (n = 6) or TR46/Y121F/T289A (n = 5). Phenotypically, isolates from dogs were more variable in growth speed and morphology when compared to those isolated from human and the environment. Conclusions A. fumigatus from dogs with SNA are phenotypically very diverse in contrast to their environmental and human counterparts. Phenotypic variability can be induced during the chronic infection process in the sinus of the dogs. The basis of this heterogeneity might be due to genomic differences and/or epigenetic variations. Differences in dogs is a could be a result of within-host adaption and might be triggered by environmental factors in the sinus, however this hypothesis still needs to be tested.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-018-1244-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan D Valdes
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Joris van den Berg
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annika Haagsman
- Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Natalia Escobar
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Han A B Wösten
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans de Cock
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Escobar N, Valdes ID, Keizer EM, Ordonez SR, Ohm RA, Wösten HAB, de Cock H. Expression profile analysis reveals that Aspergillus fumigatus but not Aspergillus niger makes type II epithelial lung cells less immunological alert. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:534. [PMID: 30005605 PMCID: PMC6044037 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4895-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aspergillus fumigatus is the main causative agent of aspergillosis. Infections rarely occur in immunocompetent individuals, indicating efficient clearance of conidia by pulmonary defense mechanisms. Other aspergilli like Aspergillus niger also cause infections but to a much lesser extent. Our previous studies showed that A. fumigatus and A. niger have different behavior in the presence of type II alveolar A549 epithelial cells. A. fumigatus conidia are more efficiently internalized by these cells and germination is delayed when compared to A. niger. In addition, hyphae that have escaped the epithelial cells grow parallel to the epithelium, while A. niger grows away from this cell layer. Results Here it is shown that global gene expression of A. fumigatus and A. niger is markedly different upon contact with A549 cells. A total of 545 and 473 genes of A. fumigatus and A. niger, respectively, were differentially expressed when compared to growth in the absence of A549 cells. Notably, only 53 genes (approximately 10%) were shared in these gene sets. The different response was also illustrated by the fact that only 4 out of 75 GO terms were shared that were enriched in the differentially expressed gene sets. The orthologues of A. fumigatus genes involved in hypoxia regulation and heat shock were also up-regulated in A. niger, whereas thioredoxin reductase and allergen genes were found up-regulated in A. fumigatus but down-regulated in A. niger. Infection with A. fumigatus resulted in only 62 up and 47 down-regulated genes in A549. These numbers were 17 and 34 in the case of A. niger. GO terms related with immune response were down-regulated upon exposure to A. fumigatus but not in the case of A. niger. This indicates that A. fumigatus reprograms A549 to be less immunologically alert. Conclusions Our dual transcriptomic analysis supports earlier observations of a marked difference in life style between A. fumigatus and A. niger when grown in the presence of type II epithelial cells. The results indicate important differences in gene expression, amongst others down regulation of immune response genes in lung epithelial cells by A. fumigatus but not by A niger. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4895-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Escobar
- Microbiology & Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ivan D Valdes
- Microbiology & Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther M Keizer
- Microbiology & Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Soledad R Ordonez
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division Molecular Host Defence, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robin A Ohm
- Microbiology & Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Han A B Wösten
- Microbiology & Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans de Cock
- Microbiology & Institute of Biomembranes, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Gerritsen MG, Brinkman P, Escobar N, Bos LD, de Heer K, Meijer M, Janssen HG, de Cock H, Wösten HAB, Visser CE, van Oers MHJ, Sterk PJ. Profiling of volatile organic compounds produced by clinical Aspergillus isolates using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Med Mycol 2017; 56:253-256. [DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Escobar N, Ordonez SR, Wösten HAB, Haas PJA, de Cock H, Haagsman HP. Hide, Keep Quiet, and Keep Low: Properties That Make Aspergillus fumigatus a Successful Lung Pathogen. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:438. [PMID: 27092115 PMCID: PMC4821987 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Representatives of the genus Aspergillus are opportunistic fungal pathogens. Their conidia can reach the alveoli by inhalation and can give rise to infections in immunocompromised individuals. Aspergillus fumigatus is the causal agent of invasive aspergillosis in nearly 90% of the cases. It is not yet well-established what makes this fungus more pathogenic than other aspergilli such as A. niger. Here, we show that A. fumigatus and A. niger conidia adhere with similar efficiency to lung epithelial A549 cells but A. fumigatus conidia internalized 17% more efficiently. Conidia of both aspergilli were taken up in phagolysosomes 8 h after the challenge. These organelles only acidified in the case of A. niger, which is probably due to the type of melanin coating of the conidia. Viability of both types of conidia was not affected after uptake in the phagolysosomes. Germination of A. fumigatus and A. niger conidia in the presence of epithelial cells was delayed when compared to conidia in the medium. However, germination of A. niger conidia was still higher than that of A. fumigatus 10 h after exposure to A549 cells. Remarkably, A. fumigatus hyphae grew mainly parallel to the epithelium, while growth direction of A. niger hyphae was predominantly perpendicular to the plane of the cells. Neutrophils reduced germination and hyphal growth of A. niger, but not of A fumigatus, in presence of epithelial cells. Taken together, efficient internalization, delayed germination, and hyphal growth parallel to the epithelium gives a new insight into what could be the causes for the success of A. fumigatus compared to A. niger as an opportunistic pathogen in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Escobar
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Soledad R. Ordonez
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division Molecular Host Defence, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Han A. B. Wösten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Pieter-Jan A. Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hans de Cock
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Henk P. Haagsman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division Molecular Host Defence, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
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Carranza C, Menendez I, Herrera M, Castellanos P, Amado C, Maldonado F, Rosales L, Escobar N, Guerra M, Alvarez D, Foster J, Guo S, Blanton SH, Bademci G, Tekin M. A Mayan founder mutation is a common cause of deafness in Guatemala. Clin Genet 2015; 89:461-465. [PMID: 26346709 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Over 5% of the world's population has varying degrees of hearing loss. Mutations in GJB2 are the most common cause of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNHL) in many populations. The frequency and type of mutations are influenced by ethnicity. Guatemala is a multi-ethnic country with four major populations: Maya, Ladino, Xinca, and Garifuna. To determine the mutation profile of GJB2 in a ARNHL population from Guatemala, we sequenced both exons of GJB2 in 133 unrelated families. A total of six pathogenic variants were detected. The most frequent pathogenic variant is c.131G>A (p.Trp44*) detected in 21 of 266 alleles. We show that c.131G>A is associated with a conserved haplotype in Guatemala suggesting a single founder. The majority of Mayan population lives in the west region of the country from where all c.131G>A carriers originated. Further analysis of genome-wide variation of individuals carrying the c.131G>A mutation compared with those of Native American, European, and African populations shows a close match with the Mayan population.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Carranza
- Institute for Research on Genetic and Metabolic Diseases, INVEGEM, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - I Menendez
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - M Herrera
- Institute for Research on Genetic and Metabolic Diseases, INVEGEM, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - P Castellanos
- Center for Hearing and Phonetic Training, CEDAF, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - C Amado
- Institute for Research on Genetic and Metabolic Diseases, INVEGEM, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - F Maldonado
- Therapeutic Center for Hearing and Language, CEAL, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - L Rosales
- Institute for Research on Genetic and Metabolic Diseases, INVEGEM, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - N Escobar
- Institute for Research on Genetic and Metabolic Diseases, INVEGEM, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - M Guerra
- Institute for Research on Genetic and Metabolic Diseases, INVEGEM, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - D Alvarez
- Institute for Research on Genetic and Metabolic Diseases, INVEGEM, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - J Foster
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - S Guo
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - S H Blanton
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - G Bademci
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - M Tekin
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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11
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Romero-Sandoval N, Escobar N, Utzet M, Feijoo-Cid M, Martin M. Sylvatic rabies and the perception of vampire bat activity in communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2014; 30:669-74. [DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00070413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An outbreak of sylvatic rabies was reported in indigenous communities located in the Ecuadorian Amazon in November 2011. The objective of this study was to analyze family dwelling characteristics and other sociodemographic factors associated with the perception of an increase in hematophagous bat bites in humans and domestic animals to assist the implementation of intervention policies in the region. A total of 381 households from communities covered by the outbreak response activities were surveyed. Despite being associated with poorer dwelling conditions, the possession of domestic animals is associated with the perception of an increase in bat bites among animals. Better dwelling conditions, use of protective measures, access to electricity, and no domestic animals are variables associated with the perception of a rise in attacks on humans. The analysis of perceptions of bite frequency is fundamental to improve the effectiveness of vaccination programs and strategies to promote the adoption of preventive measures against rabies among the population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mireia Utzet
- Red GRAAL, Ecuador; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, España
| | | | - Miguel Martin
- Red GRAAL, Ecuador; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, España; Universidad Yachay, Ecuador
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12
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Arenbeck H, Bornemann C, Escobar N, Bollue K, Eble M, Abel D. PD-0226: New robotic phantom: Evaluation of performance in radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(15)32532-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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13
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Vaca P, Cordoba L, Rosero R, Gómez-Benito J, Escobar N, Lucas-Carrasco R. Creencias y prácticas de mujeres con discapacidad frente al ejercicio de sus derechos. Estudios de Psicología 2011. [DOI: 10.1174/021093911795978153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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14
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Dove CA, Vezzetti D, Escobar N. Metoprolol for action tremor following intracerebral hemorrhage. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1994; 75:1011-4. [PMID: 8085922] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Tremor has been rarely described as a manifestation of stroke. A 21-year-old left-handed man developed severe action tremor of his distal left upper extremity and hand following a right parieto-occipital intracerebral hemorrhage. Strength of the left upper extremity improved gradually during a 3-month period but a severe action tremor developed. The patient was treated with the cardioselective beta-blocking agent, metoprolol, initially for elevated blood pressure and tachycardia at 25 mg twice daily for approximately 2 months. Metoprolol was then increased at weekly intervals by 25mg twice daily to a total of 100mg twice daily. Tremor intensity decreased clinically and graphically as monitored by a trace test by having the patient attempt to trace a horizontal and vertical axis and scoring the errors. The scores declined weekly from the first week (4,347), second week (3,786), third week (1,088), to the fourth week (484). No adverse cognitive or cardiopulmonary effects were noted. Action tremor should be considered as one of the movement disorders caused by hemorrhagic cerebral infarction. This case responded well to treatment with metoprolol.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Dove
- Loyola University Medical Center/Hines VA/Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center, Maywood, IL
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15
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de la Colina F, Rodriguez H, Viramontes F, Vielma J, Escobar N, Lud C. Changes in body mass, hepatic and muscular cellular composition and serum thyroid hormones in early weaned goat kids. Small Rumin Res 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/0921-4488(93)90116-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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16
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Cheng CY, Bardin CW, Nagendranath N, Escobar N, Han AC, Musto NA, Gunsalus GL. Purification of testosterone-oestradiol-binding globulins from mammalian sera by anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography. Int J Androl 1985; 8:1-12. [PMID: 3997267 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.1985.tb00812.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone-oestradiol-binding globulin (TeBG) has been isolated from serum or plasma of several species using procedures that yielded highly purified protein, but which required multiple and tedious chromatographic steps. In this report we describe a procedure for the isolation of TeBG which involves two chromatographic steps: androgen affinity chromatography followed by anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (anion-exchange HPLC). The purity of the final product was confirmed by silver staining following fractionation on sodium dodecyl sulphate-containing polyacrylamide gels. The size heterogeneity and specific binding activity of TeBGs purified from human, rabbit, or bull serum (or plasma) by this technique was indistinguishable from preparations obtained by conventional chromatography. The present technique shortened the entire purification procedure to about 5 working days and yielded milligram quantities of highly purified protein. Bases on our experience with serum or plasma from the human, rabbit, and bull, this approach should be suitable for isolation of TeBG from a wide range of species.
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17
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Larrea F, Escobar N, Garza Flores J, Moctezuma O, Martínez-Campos A, Pérez-Palacios G. Nuclear translocation of estradiol receptors by the in vivo administration of norethisterone: an alternate mechanism for gonadotropin inhibition. J Steroid Biochem 1983; 19:1747-52. [PMID: 6672457 DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(83)90353-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In order to investigate the anti-gonadotropic effect of norethisterone (NET) in long-term ovariectomized rats, we studied the interaction of this synthetic progestin with intracellular steroid receptors in the anterior pituitary by a nuclear exchange assay. The results demonstrated that the administration of NET to long-term ovariectomized rats resulted in nuclear translocation of estradiol cytosol receptors in the pituitary and uterus with a rate of accumulation and nuclear retention being similar in both tissues. Accumulation of nuclear estradiol receptors in the pituitary was in agreement with the rate of LH inhibition in NET-treated rats. The results presented in this communication may explain the anti-gonadotropic activity of NET in long-term ovariectomized rats in addition to its well known progestational activity.
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18
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Pérez-Palacios G, Chávez B, Vilchis F, Escobar N, Larrea F, Pérez AE. Interaction of medroxyprogesterone acetate with cytosol androgen receptors in the rat hypothalamus and pituitary. J Steroid Biochem 1983; 19:1729-35. [PMID: 6231415 DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(83)90350-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The binding of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) with cytosol androgen receptors from rat pituitary and hypothalamus was studied. The pituitary and hypothalamic cytosol androgen receptors from adult castrated female rats were in vitro labeled using 3H natural (testosterone (T) and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT] and [3H]synthetic (methyltrienolone) androgens as radioligands. The [3H]androgen-receptor complexes sedimented with a coefficient of 8S in linear sucrose gradients. When incubated with an excess of radioinert MPA, specific binding was abolished indicating interaction of MPA with androgen receptors. Furthermore specific [3H]MPA-androgen cytosol receptor complexes could be identified in these neuroendocrine tissues when a post-gradient receptor labeling technique was used in the absence or presence of radioinert MPA, DHT, and triamcinolone acetonide. A study of binding kinetics disclosed that the equilibrium dissociation constant and saturation binding capacity for the MPA binder, were similar to those exhibited by DHT binding to androgen receptors in both studied tissues under identical experimental conditions. The overall results were interpreted as demonstrating that MPA interacts with cytosol steroid receptors other than those of progesterone in the rat hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. The data are consistent with MPA binding to androgen receptors.
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Pérez-Palacios G, Chávez B, Escobar N, Vilchis F, Larrea F, Lince M, Pérez AE. Mechanism of action of contraceptive synthetic progestins. J Steroid Biochem 1981; 15:125-30. [PMID: 6461799 DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(81)90266-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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20
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Kofman S, Pérez-Palacios G, Medina M, Escobar N, García M, Ruz L, Mutchinick O, Lisker R. Clinical and endocrine spectrum in patients with the 45,X/46,XY karyotype. Hum Genet 1981; 58:373-6. [PMID: 6799384 DOI: 10.1007/bf00282818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cytogenetic and endocrine studies were performed in five unrelated 45,X/46,XY individuals in an attempt to correlate them with their clinical expression and gonadal morphology. A lack of a consistent pattern between cytogenetic findings and phenotype was observed. Endocrine studies revealed a wide spectrum of hypothalamic, pituitary, and gonadal hormone production as assessed by the base line levels of LH, FSH, T, and delta 4-A and their responses to appropriate exogenous stimulation (LH-RH and HCG). An adequate correlation between endocrine findings with gonadal morphology and phenotype could be established; thus demonstrating that patients with this particular chromosome complement have a functional integrity of the gonadotropin hypothalamic pituitary activity modulated accordingly with the gonadal function of each particular case.
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21
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Pérez-Palacios G, Carnevale A, Escobar N, Villareal G, Fernandez C, Medina M. Induction of ovulation in a true hermaphrodite with male phenotype. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1981; 52:1257-9. [PMID: 6785300 DOI: 10.1210/jcem-52-6-1257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Ovulation was induced in a 16-yr-old 46 XX/47 XXY true hermaphrodite with a male phenotype. The presence of testicular tissue was assessed by a normal androgen response to hCG. Administration of FSH and LH for 8 consecutive days, followed by a single dose of hCG, induced a biphasic serum profile of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone similar to that observed in normal menstrual cycles. In addition, a significant rise in serum testosterone was noticed during the luteal phase. Laparotomy revealed the presence of a uterus, with evidence of endometrial bleeding and absence of a vagina. These results demonstrated that gonadotropins were able to induce follicular maturation, ovulation, and endometrial bleeding in a true hermaphrodite resembling a normal ovulatory cycle. Gonadotropin administration can be used as a diagnostic tool for establishing the presence of ovarian tissue in this gonadal development abnormality.
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22
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Doetsch GS, Escobar N, Normal HL. Population response characteristics of neurons in anterior motorsensory cerebral cortex (field 6) of the domestic cat. Brain Res 1977; 137:277-89. [PMID: 589455 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(77)90339-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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23
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Paniagua JL, Escobar N. [Nontraumatic cerebral hemorrhage]. Rev Clin Esp 1966; 102:81-8. [PMID: 5992364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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