Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 86 in total

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  1. Tan, W. L., Azlan, A., Noh, M.F.M.
    MyJurnal
    The study was undertaken to determine and compare the sodium and potassium contents in
    selected salts (table salt, coarse salt, French sea salt, Himalayan pink salt and bamboo salt)
    and sauces (light soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, chili sauce, tomato sauce and mayonnaise).
    Findings of the present study showed that the sodium content of salts was highest in table salt
    (35870.0 mg/100 g) and lowest in French sea salt (31235.0 mg/100 g), whereas the potassium
    content was highest in bamboo salt (399.4 mg/100 g) and lowest in table salt (43.7 mg/100
    g). There was no significant difference between sodium amounts of the salts. Bamboo salt
    was significantly higher in potassium than other salts. The ranking of sodium and potassium
    in sauces was similar, where light soy sauce contained the highest amount (4402.0 and 395.4
    mg/100 g) and mayonnaise contained the least (231.3 and 63.6 mg/100 g). Both sodium and
    potassium contents of light soy sauce were significantly higher than other sauces. Bamboo salt
    is a better choice instead of other salts in terms of the potassium level. Among sauces, although
    light soy sauce is high in potassium; however, its high sodium has offset the beneficial effect
    of potassium.
  2. Ahmad Jelani, N. A., Azlan, A., Khoo, H. E., Razman, M. R.
    MyJurnal
    The present work was aimed to optimise the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of dabai oil
    from dabai pulp and defatted pulp using RSM in comparison with hexane extraction method.
    Fatty acid profile and antioxidant properties of the extracted dabai oil were also determined.
    Optimal RSM conditions were 36 MPa pressure, 40°C temperature and 21 min of extraction
    time. The extracted yields ranged between 14.13% and 15.42%. Supercritical carbon dioxide
    extracted oils had lower total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidative activities than the
    hexane-extracted oils. High-performance liquid chromatography results showed that only
    vanillic, protocatechuic and gallic acids were identified in both hexane and supercritical carbon
    dioxide extracted oils of defatted dabai pulp. The total saturated fatty acids were higher in
    hexane-extracted dabai oil as compared to the supercritical carbon dioxide extracted oil, and
    vice versa for the unsaturated fatty acid. Although supercritical carbon dioxide extracted dabai
    oils are inferior to the hexane-extracted oils, they are preferred as they are extracted using
    green technology.
  3. Ebadi S, Azlan A
    Int J Prev Med, 2023;14:121.
    PMID: 38264558 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_318_22
    BACKGROUND: It is well established that unrefined sugarcane products have antioxidant activity due to phytochemicals, polyphenols, and total antioxidant capacity, which may decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association of unrefined sugar consumption with inflammatory biomarkers.

    METHODS: Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases were searched up to December 2021 for studies that report the effect of unrefined sugar on inflammation according to inflammatory cytokines, chemokine, and adhesion molecules as outcome measures. Results: Thirty-six studies were evaluated. Across all research, five studies (two in vitro and three animal studies) reported the effect of unrefined sugar on levels of cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, and IFN-γ. Additionally, the quality of the studies was assessed for risk of bias.

    CONCLUSIONS: it is possible to affirm that unrefined sugarcane products, including jaggery, may have a protective effect on inflammation via regulating some of the inflammatory pathways and a favorable impact on cytokines secretion according to the results of in vitro and animal model studies. However, since the findings are still insufficient, more scientific research, especially well-designed human trials, is highly recommended to conclude the outcomes confidently. Human data may encourage industries and the public to replace purified sugar with unrefined sugarcane in sugar-based food and for further health-care policy decisions.

  4. Karim AA, Azlan A
    Molecules, 2012 Oct 10;17(10):11931-46.
    PMID: 23052712 DOI: 10.3390/molecules171011931
    Fruit pods contain various beneficial compounds that have biological activities and can be used as a source of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. Although pods or pericarps are usually discarded when consuming the edible parts of fruits, they contain some compounds that exhibit biological activities after extraction. Most fruit pods included in this review contain polyphenolic components that can promote antioxidant effects on human health. Additionally, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and chemopreventive effects are associated with these fruit pod extracts. Besides polyphenolics, other compounds such as xanthones, carotenoids and saponins also exhibit health effects and can be potential sources of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical components. In this review, information on fruit pods or pericarp of Garcinia mangostana, Ceratonia siliqua, Moringa oleifera, Acacia nilotica, Sapindus rarak and Prosopis cineraria is presented and discussed with regard to their biological activity of the major compounds existing in them. The fruit pods of other ethno- botanical plants have also been reviewed. It can be concluded that although fruit pods are considered as being of no practical use and are often being thrown away, they nevertheless contain compounds that might be useful sources of nutraceutical and other pharmaceutical components.
  5. Uyub AM, Azlan AA
    PMID: 11414414
    A total of 52 clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori were characterized on the basis of preformed enzyme production with API ZYM kits. Using the biotyping schemes as defined by Reina and Alomar (1989), Kung et al (1989) and Matsumoto et al (1996), 15.3% (8/52), 13.5% (7/52) and 11.5% (6/52) of the isolates were not biotypable, respectively. Two enzymes, valine arylamidase and cystine arylamidase could be additionally used to differentiate between isolates. Our isolates were either negative or positive for both the enzymes or positive only for cystine arylamidase. We propose the incorporation of these two enzymes into the Matsumoto et al (1996) biotyping scheme to biotype strains into additional enzyme biotypes.
  6. Hassan FA, Ismail A, Abdulhamid A, Azlan A
    J Agric Food Chem, 2011 Sep 14;59(17):9102-11.
    PMID: 21800901 DOI: 10.1021/jf201270n
    Phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of acidified methanolic extract prepared from fully ripe bambangan (Mangifera pajang K.) peel cultivated in Sarawak, Malaysia, were analyzed. The total phenolic content (98.3 mg GAE/g) of bambangan peel powder (BPP) was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. BPP showed a strong potency of antioxidant activity and was consistent with that of BHT and vitamin C as confirmed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power) assays. Gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, protocatechuic acid, and mangiferin were the major compounds among the 16 phenolics that have been identified and quantified in M. pajang peels with 20.9, 12.7, 7.3, 5.4, and 4.8 mg/g BPP, respectively. Peak identities were confirmed by comparing their retention times, UV-vis absorption spectra, and mass spectra with authentic standards. The 16 phenolic compounds identified in M. pajang K. using HPLC-DAD and TSQ-ESI-MS are reported here for the first time.
  7. Sasidharan S, Uyub AM, Azlan AA
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2008 Dec;102(12):1226-32.
    PMID: 18586289 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.05.006
    HeIicobacter pylori infection rate was determined in 697 consecutive patients with ulcer, gastritis, duodenitis and non-ulcer dyspepsia by endoscopy at a Malaysian hospital in 1999-2002. Biopsies of the gastric antrum and body were subjected to the urease test, Gram staining of impression smears and culture examination. Infection was defined as a positive result in at least one test. The infection rates were 32.1, 10.4, 20.0 and 16.2% in ulcer, gastritis, duodenitis and non-ulcer dyspepsia patients, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 14.6%, with the rate among the Indian (21.7%), Chinese (19.2%) and Bangladeshi foreign worker (23.1%) groups significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the Malays (5.8%). Generally, the prevalence rate among males (18.9%) was significantly higher (P<0.001) than that among females (9.0%), but for a particular ethnic group, such trend and significant differences (P<0.05) were observed only among the Malays. In terms of gender, the prevalence rates of Malay males and females were also significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of Chinese and Indians. In conclusion, there is a significant difference in H. pylori infection prevalence rates among ethnic groups (highest in Indians, then Chinese and unusually low in Malays) and gender groups (highest in males) in Malaysia.
  8. Azlan AM, Mohammad AR, Ariffin AK
    Med J Malaysia, 2005 Jul;60 Suppl C:30-4.
    PMID: 16381280 MyJurnal
    This finite element analysis is aimed at comparing relative stiffness of three different posterior instrumentation constructs: the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Spinal Instrumentation System (HUKM-SIS), the Cotrell-Dubousset Instrumentation (CDI) and Harrington Instrumentation System (HIS), used in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The constructs were tested under various loads using MSC Patran 2001 r2a. Under increasing flexion loads, there was a linearly corresponding increase in deflection magnitudes for all constructs on the load-deflection curve. The CDI was the stiffest construct under axial, forward flexion and extension loads, followed by the HUKM-SIS and HIS. Under lateral bending loads, the HUKM-SIS construct was the stiffest followed by CDI and HIS. The HUKM-SIS construct was stiffer than HIS under torsional loads. We conclude that multiple pedicle screws increase the stiffness of posterior instrumentation constructs under all loads and inter-segmental spinous processes wiring increase the stiffness against lateral bending.
  9. Azlan A, Halim MA, Azzam G
    Genomics, 2020 03;112(2):1273-1281.
    PMID: 31381967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.07.016
    The free-living flatworm Macrostoma lignano (M. lignano) is an emerging model organism for aging and regeneration research. Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) have important roles in many biological processes such as aging, stem cell maintenance and differentiation. However, to date, there is no systematic identification of lincRNAs in M. lignano. By using public RNA-seq data, we identified a total of 2547 lincRNA transcripts in M. lignano genome. We discovered that M. lignano lincRNAs shared many characteristics with other species such as shorter in length, lower GC content, and lower in expression compared to protein-coding genes. Unlike protein-coding genes, M. lignano lincRNAs showed higher tendency to be expressed in temporal and region-specific fashion. Additionally, co-expression network analysis and functional enrichment suggest that M. lignano lincRNAs have potential roles in regeneration. This study will provide important resources and pave the way for investigations on non-coding genes involved in aging and regeneration.
  10. Dzaki N, Wahab W, Azlan A, Azzam G
    Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2018 10 20;505(1):106-112.
    PMID: 30241946 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.09.074
    CTP Synthase (CTPS) is a metabolic enzyme that is recognized as a catalyst for nucleotide, phospholipid and sialoglycoprotein production. Though the structural characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of CTPS are well-understood, little is known regarding the extent of its involvement during the early developmental stages of vertebrates. Zebrafish carries two CTPS genes, annotated as ctps1a and ctps1b. Phylogenetic analyses show that both genes had diverged from homologues in the ancestral Actinopterygii, Oreochromis niloticus. Conservation of common CTPS-catalytic regions further establishes that both proteins are likely to be functionally similar to hsaCTPS. Here, we show that ctps1a is more critical throughout the initial period of embryonic development than ctps1b. The effects of concurrent partial knockdown are dependent on ctps1a vs ctps1b dosage ratios. When these are equally attenuated, abnormal phenotypes acquired prior to the pharyngula period disappear in hatchlings (48hpf); however, if either gene is more attenuated than the other, these only become more pronounced in advanced stages. Generally, disruption to normal ctps1a or ctps1b expression levels by morpholinos culminates in the distortion of the early spinal column as well as multiple-tissue oedema. Other effects include slower growth rates, increased mortality rates and impaired structural formation of the young fish's extremities. Embryos grown in DON, a glutamine-analogue drug and CTPS antagonist, also exhibit similar characteristics, thus strengthening the validity of the morpholino-induced phenotypes observed. Together, our results demonstrate the importance of CTPS for the development of zebrafish embryos, as well as a disparity in activity and overall importance amongst isozymes.
  11. Azlan A, Dzaki N, Azzam G
    J Genet Genomics, 2016 08 20;43(8):481-94.
    PMID: 27569398 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2016.06.002
    The discovery of small non-coding RNAs - microRNA (miRNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA) and PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) - represents one of the most exciting frontiers in biology specifically on the mechanism of gene regulation. In order to execute their functions, these small RNAs require physical interactions with their protein partners, the Argonaute (AGO) family proteins. Over the years, numerous studies have made tremendous progress on understanding the roles of AGO in gene silencing in various organisms. In this review, we summarize recent progress of AGO-mediated gene silencing and other cellular processes in which AGO proteins have been implicated with a particular focus on progress made in flies, humans and other model organisms as compliment.
  12. Azlan A, Sultana S, Mahmod II
    Molecules, 2023 May 28;28(11).
    PMID: 37298880 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28114403
    The health benefits of sugar cane products are attributed to certain antioxidant compounds in plant materials. The presence of antioxidants in plant materials depends on the extraction method in terms of yield and the number of phenolic compounds identified. This study was carried out to evaluate the performance of the three extraction methods, which were selected from previous studies to show the effect of the extraction method on the content of antioxidant compounds in different types of sugar. This study also evaluates the potential of different sugar extracts in anti-diabetic activity based on in vitro assays (α-glucosidase and α-amylase). The results showed that sugar cane extracted with acidified ethanol (1.6 M HCl in 60% ethanol) was the best condition to extract a high yield of phenolic acids compared to other methods. Among the three types of sugar, less refined sugar (LRS) showed the highest yield of phenolic compounds, 57.72 µg/g, compared to brown sugar (BS) and refined sugar (RS) sugar, which were at 42.19 µg/g and 22.06 µg/g, respectively. Whereas, among the sugar cane derivatives, LRS showed minor and BS moderate inhibition towards α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity compared to white sugar (RS). Thus, it is suggested that sugar cane extracted with acidified ethanol (1.6 M HCl in 60% ethanol) is the optimum experimental condition for antioxidant content determination and provides a basis for further exploitation of the health-beneficial resources of the sugarcane products.
  13. Chiang WL, Azlan A, Yusof BM
    Curr Diabetes Rev, 2023;19(1):e240322202560.
    PMID: 35331117 DOI: 10.2174/1573399818666220324095435
    BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of noncommunicable diseases has risen rapidly over the past decade. Research has focused on dietary management, particularly dietary sugar, to prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases.

    OBJECTIVE: This study undertakes a scoping review of research on the impacts of dietary sugar on cardiometabolic related health outcomes.

    METHODS: Ovid Medline, Scopus and Web of Science Core collection databases were used to identify papers published from January 1, 2010 onwards. The included studies had to be cross-sectional or cohort studies, peered review, published in English and in adults, aged 18 years old and above. Articles had to determine the impacts of sugar intake on cardiometabolic related health outcomes. Study quality was measured using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional Studies. In addition, a narrative synthesis of extracted information was conducted.

    RESULTS: Thirty-one articles were included in this review. All studies had a large sample size, and the exposure measure was clearly defined, valid and applied consistently across all study participants. Exposure was measured using validated questionnaires. All data were statistically analysed and adjusted for critical potential confounding variables. Results showed that dietary sugar intake was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and body weight.

    CONCLUSION: Dietary sugar intake significantly increased cardiometabolic risks through mechanisms dependent and independent of weight gain. It is essential to create public awareness on the topics of cardiometabolic risk management and dietary sugars intake.

  14. Sang SY, Jamharee F, Prasad KN, Azlan A, Maliki N
    J Food Sci Technol, 2014 May;51(5):988-93.
    PMID: 24803709 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-011-0596-5
    This study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant capacities of four common forage legume leaves namely, Arachis pintoi (Pintoi), Calapogonium mucunoides (Calapo), Centrosema pubescens (Centro), and Stylosanthes guanensis (Stylo). Two different drying methods (oven-drying and freeze-drying) were employed and antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and β-carotene bleaching assays. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Freeze-dried extract showed the highest antioxidant activities by DPPH (EC50 values 1.17-2.13 mg/ml), FRAP (147.08-246.42 μM of Fe(2+)/g), and β-carotene bleaching (57.11-78.60%) compared to oven drying. Hence, freeze drying treatment could be considered useful in retention of antioxidant activity and phenolic content.
  15. Khoo HE, Azlan A, Ismail A, Abas F, Hamid M
    PLoS One, 2014;9(1):e81447.
    PMID: 24416130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081447
    Canarium odontophyllum, also known as CO, is a highly nutritious fruit. Defatted parts of CO fruit are potent sources of nutraceutical. This study aimed to determine oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation effects of defatted CO pericarp and peel extracts using in vitro bioassays. Cell cytotoxic effect of the CO pericarp and peel extracts were also evaluated using HUVEC and Chang liver cell lines. The crude extracts of defatted CO peel and pericarp showed cytoprotective effects in t-BHP and 40% methanol-induced cell death. The crude extracts also showed no toxic effect to Chang liver cell line. Using CD36 ELISA, NAD(+) and LDL inhibition assays, inhibition of oxidative stress were found higher in the crude extract of defatted CO peel compared to the pericarp extract. Hemoglobin and LDL oxidation assays revealed both crude extracts had significantly reduced lipid peroxidation as compared to control. TBARS values among defatted CO pericarp, peel, and cyanidin-3-glucoside showed no significant differences for hemoglobin and LDL oxidation assays. The protective effects of defatted CO parts, especially its peel is related to the presence of high anthocyanin that potentially offers as a pharmaceutical ingredient for cardioprotection.
  16. Mohd Esa N, Abdul Kadir KK, Amom Z, Azlan A
    Food Chem, 2013 Nov 15;141(2):1306-12.
    PMID: 23790918 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.03.086
    Antioxidant activity of different rice extract and the effect on the levels of antioxidant enzyme activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), vitamin E, lipid peroxidation and liver enzymes in hyperlipidaemia rabbits were investigated. Germinated brown rice (GBR) has the highest antioxidant activity compared to white rice (WR) and brown rice (BR). All rice grains increased the activity of SOD and GPx. However, vitamin E levels increased only in the groups that received the BR and GBR diets. The reduction of lipid peroxidation levels and activity of hepatic enzymes (alanine transferase, ALT and aspartate transaminase, AST) were only significantly observed in the GBR group. In conclusion, GBR supplementation has the greatest impact on increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and vitamin E level and on reducing lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolaemia rabbit, thereby preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, GBR diet can also reduce the level of hepatic enzymes.
  17. Khoo HE, Azlan A, Ismail A, Abas F
    Molecules, 2012 Aug 14;17(8):9754-73.
    PMID: 22893021 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17089754
    Solid phase extraction (SPE) using Sep-Pak® cartridges is one of the techniques used for fractionation of antioxidant compounds in waste of dabai oil extraction (defatted dabai parts). The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in crude extracts and several SPE fractions from methanolic extract of defatted dabai pulp and peel. Based on SPE, Sep-Pak® cyanopropyl and C₁₈ cartridges were used to fractionate the antioxidant-rich crude extracts into water and methanolic fractions. Analyzed using LC-MS, flavonoids, anthocyanins, saponin derivatives and other unknown antioxidative compounds were detected in the defatted dabai crude extracts and their SPE fractions. Anthocyanins were the major phenolic compounds identified in the defatted dabai peel and detected in most of the SPE fractions. Methanolic fractions of defatted dabai parts embraced higher total phenolics and antioxidant capacity than water fractions. This finding also revealed the crude extracts of defatted dabai peel have the most significant antioxidant properties compared to the methanolic and water fractions studied. The crude extract of defatted dabai parts remain as the most potent antioxidant as it contains mixture of flavonoids, anthocyanins and other potential antioxidants.
  18. Shakirin FH, Azlan A, Ismail A, Amom Z, Yuon LC
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2012;2012:840973.
    PMID: 22685623 DOI: 10.1155/2012/840973
    The aim of this paper was to compare the effects of pulp and kernel oils of Canarium odontophyllum Miq. (CO) on lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress of healthy rabbits. The oils are rich in SFAs and MUFAs (mainly palmitic and oleic acids). The pulp oil is rich in polyphenols. Male New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits were fed for 4 weeks on a normal diet containing pulp (NP) or kernel oil (NK) of CO while corn oil was used as control (NC). Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-c and triglycerides (TG) levels were measured in this paper. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidise), thiobarbiturate reactive substances (TBARSs), and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) were also evaluated. Supplementation of CO pulp oil resulted in favorable changes in blood lipid and lipid peroxidation (increased HDL-C, reduced LDL-C, TG, TBARS levels) with enhancement of SOD, GPx, and plasma TAS levels. Meanwhile, supplementation of kernel oil caused lowering of plasma TC and LDL-C as well as enhancement of SOD and TAS levels. These changes showed that oils of CO could be beneficial in improving lipid profile and antioxidant status as when using part of normal diet. The oils can be used as alternative to present vegetable oil.
  19. Azlan A, Khoo HE, Idris MA, Ismail A, Razman MR
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:403574.
    PMID: 22649292 DOI: 10.1100/2012/403574
    The drinking and mineral water samples obtained from different geographical locations had concentrations of the selected minerals lower than the standard limits, except for manganese, arsenic, and fluoride. The concentrations of manganese and arsenic in two mineral water samples were slightly higher than the standard international recommended limits. One mineral water sample had a fluoride concentration higher than the standard limits, whereas manganese was not detected in nine drinking and mineral water samples. Most of the selected minerals found in the tap water samples were below the international standard limits, except for iron and manganese. The concentrations of iron and manganese in the tap water samples were higher than the standard limits, which were obtained from one and three of the studied locations, respectively. The potable water obtained from various manufacturers and locations in Peninsular Malaysia is safe for consumption, as the minerals concentrations were below the standard limits prescribed by the Malaysian Food Regulations of 1985. The data obtained may also provide important information related to daily intake of these minerals from drinking water.
  20. Mohd Esa N, Abdul Kadir KK, Amom Z, Azlan A
    J Agric Food Chem, 2011 Jul 27;59(14):7985-91.
    PMID: 21682316 DOI: 10.1021/jf201323x
    It is imperative that there be a diet designed specifically to improve lipid profile in order to impede the progress of atherosclerosis. Because rice is a staple food in Asia, it will be chosen as the diet of interest. This study sets out to discover whether consumption of different processed rice diets may result in a change of the lipid profile. The experiment was done on male New Zealand white rabbits after 10 weeks of treatment with diet containing 0.5% cholesterol. The experimental diets include white rice (WR), brown rice (BR), and germinated brown rice (GBR). Among them, rabbits fed a GBR diet demonstrated significantly lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), LDL/HDL, and atherogenic index (AI) and a higher level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Results from atherosclerotic plaque assessment further support the findings. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), which acts as an indicator for oxidative stress, was also reduced by GBR diet. The positive change in lipid profile in the rabbits fed GBR appeared to correspond with the higher amounts of γ-oryzanol, tocopherol, and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content.
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