scholarly journals Biophysical Insights into Cancer Transformation and Treatment

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Pokorný ◽  
Alberto Foletti ◽  
Jitka Kobilková ◽  
Anna Jandová ◽  
Jan Vrba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Energy Transduction ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Frequency Spectra ◽  
Proton Charge ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Electrodynamic Interaction ◽  
Reverse Warburg Effect

Biological systems are hierarchically self-organized complex structures characterized by nonlinear interactions. Biochemical energy is transformed into work of physical forces required for various biological functions. We postulate that energy transduction depends on endogenous electrodynamic fields generated by microtubules. Microtubules and mitochondria colocalize in cells with microtubules providing tracks for mitochondrial movement. Besides energy transformation, mitochondria form a spatially distributed proton charge layer and a resultant strong static electric field, which causes water ordering in the surrounding cytosol. These effects create conditions for generation of coherent electrodynamic field. The metabolic energy transduction pathways are strongly affected in cancers. Mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells (Warburg effect) or in fibroblasts associated with cancer cells (reverse Warburg effect) results in decreased or increased power of the generated electromagnetic field, respectively, and shifted and rebuilt frequency spectra. Disturbed electrodynamic interaction forces between cancer and healthy cells may favor local invasion and metastasis. A therapeutic strategy of targeting dysfunctional mitochondria for restoration of their physiological functions makes it possible to switch on the natural apoptotic pathway blocked in cancer transformed cells. Experience with dichloroacetate in cancer treatment and reestablishment of the healthy state may help in the development of novel effective drugs aimed at the mitochondrial function.

scholarly journals Targeting Mitochondria for Cancer Treatment – Two Types of Mitochondrial Dysfunction

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 104-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Pokorný ◽  
Jan Pokorný ◽  
Jitka Kobilková ◽  
Anna Jandová ◽  
Jan Vrba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Oxidative Metabolism ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Water Layer ◽  
Frequency Spectra ◽  
Reverse Warburg Effect ◽  
Ordered Water

Two basic types of cancers were identified – those with the mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells (the Warburg effect) or in fibroblasts supplying energy rich metabolites to a cancer cell with functional mitochondria (the reverse Warburg effect). Inner membrane potential of the functional and dysfunctional mitochondria measured by fluorescent dyes (e.g. by Rhodamine 123) displays low and high values (apparent potential), respectively, which is in contrast to the level of oxidative metabolism. Mitochondrial dysfunction (full function) results in reduced (high) oxidative metabolism, low (high) real membrane potential, a simple layer (two layers) of transported protons around mitochondria, and high (low) damping of microtubule electric polar vibrations. Crucial modifications are caused by ordered water layer (exclusion zone). For the high oxidative metabolism one proton layer is at the mitochondrial membrane and the other at the outer rim of the ordered water layer. High and low damping of electric polar vibrations results in decreased and increased electromagnetic activity in cancer cells with the normal and the reverse Warburg effect, respectively. Due to nonlinear properties the electromagnetic frequency spectra of cancer cells and transformed fibroblasts are shifted in directions corresponding to their power deviations resulting in disturbances of interactions and escape from tissue control. The cancer cells and fibroblasts of the reverse Warburg effect tumors display frequency shifts in mutually opposite directions resulting in early generalization. High oxidative metabolism conditions high aggressiveness. Mitochondrial dysfunction, a gate to malignancy along the cancer transformation pathway, forms a narrow neck which could be convenient for cancer treatment.

CANCER — PATHOLOGICAL BREAKDOWN OF COHERENT ENERGY STATES

2014 ◽  
Vol 09 (01) ◽  
pp. 115-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIŘÍ POKORNÝ ◽  
JAN POKORNÝ ◽  
JITKA KOBILKOVÁ ◽  
ANNA JANDOVÁ ◽  
JAN VRBA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coherent State ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Thermodynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Fundamental Property ◽  
Special Problem ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Reverse Warburg Effect ◽  
The Warburg Effect

The fundamental property of biological systems is a coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium excited and sustained by energy supply. Mitochondria in eukaryotic cells produce energy and form conditions for excitation of oscillations in microtubules. Microtubule polar oscillations generate a coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium which makes possible cooperation of cells in the tissue. Mitochondrial dysfunction (the Warburg effect) in cancer development breaks down energy of the coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium and excludes the afflicted cell from the ordered multicellular tissue system. Cancer lowering of energy and coherence of the state far from thermodynamic equilibrium is the biggest difference from the healthy cells. Cancer treatment should target mitochondrial dysfunction to restore the coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium, apoptotic pathway, and subordination of the cell in the tissue. A vast variety of genetic changes and other disturbances in different cancers can result in several triggers of mitochondrial dysfunction. In cancers with the Warburg effect, mitochondrial dysfunction can be treated by inhibition of four isoforms of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases. Treatment of the reverse Warburg effect cancers would be more complicated. Disturbances of cellular electromagnetic activity by conducting and asbestos fibers present a special problem of treatment.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial Metabolism – Neglected Link of Cancer Transformation and Treatment

2012 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Pokorný ◽  
A. Jandová ◽  
M. Nedbalová ◽  
F. Jelínek ◽  
M. Cifra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Interaction Forces ◽  
Transformation Pathway ◽  
Electrodynamic Interaction ◽  
Metastatic Process ◽  
Physical Forces ◽  
Electrodynamic Forces ◽  
Effective Drugs

Physical processes in living cells were not taken into consideration among the essentials of biological activity, regardless of the fact that they establish a state far from thermodynamic equilibrium. In biological system chemical energy is transformed into the work of physical forces for various biological functions. The energy transformation pathway is very likely connected with generation of the endogenous electrodynamic field as suggested by experimentally proved electrodynamic activity of biological systems connected with mitochondrial and microtubule functions. Besides production of ATP and GTP (adenosine and guanosine triphosphate) mitochondria form a proton space charge layer, strong static electric field, and water ordering around them in cytosol – that are necessary conditions for generation of coherent electrodynamic field by microtubules. Electrodynamic forces are of a long-range nature in comparison with bond and cohesive forces. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to disturbances of the electromagnetic field; its power and coherence may be diminished, and frequency spectrum altered. Consequently, defective electrodynamic interaction forces between cancer and healthy cells may result in local invasion of cancer cells. Further deformation of interaction forces connected with experimentally disclosed spatial disarrangement of the cytoskeleton and disordered electrodynamic field condition metastatic process. Cancer therapeutic strategy targeting mitochondria may restore normal physiological functions of mitochondria and open the apoptotic pathway. Apoptosis of too much damaged cancer cells was observed. Considerable experience with DCA (dichloroacetate) cancer treatment in humans was accumulated. Clinical trials should assess DCA therapeutic potential and collect data for development of novel more effective drugs for mitochondrial restoration of various cancers.

scholarly journals The extracellular lactate-to-pyruvate ratio modulates the sensitivity to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via the cytosolic NADH/NAD+ redox state

APOPTOSIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simei Go ◽  
Thorquil T. Kramer ◽  
Arthur J. Verhoeven ◽  
Ronald P. J. Oude Elferink ◽  
Jung-Chin Chang
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Redox State ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Extracellular Lactate ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Pyruvate Ratio ◽  
The Warburg Effect

AbstractThe advantages of the Warburg effect on tumor growth and progression are well recognized. However, the relevance of the Warburg effect for the inherent resistance to apoptosis of cancer cells has received much less attention. Here, we show here that the Warburg effect modulates the extracellular lactate-to-pyruvate ratio, which profoundly regulates the sensitivity towards apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in several cell lines. To induce oxidative stress, we used the rapid apoptosis inducer Raptinal. We observed that medium conditioned by HepG2 cells has a high lactate-to-pyruvate ratio and confers resistance to Raptinal-induced apoptosis. In addition, imposing a high extracellular lactate-to-pyruvate ratio in media reduces the cytosolic NADH/NAD+ redox state and protects against Raptinal-induced apoptosis. Conversely, a low extracellular lactate-to-pyruvate ratio oxidizes the cytosolic NADH/NAD+ redox state and sensitizes HepG2 cells to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, a high extracellular lactate-to-pyruvate ratio decreases the activation of JNK and Bax under oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Our observations demonstrate that the Warburg effect of cancer cells generates an anti-apoptotic extracellular environment by elevating the extracellular lactate-to-pyruvate ratio which desensitizes cancer cells towards apoptotic insults. Consequently, our study suggests that the Warburg effect can be targeted to reverse the lactate-to-pyruvate ratios in the tumor microenvironment and thereby re-sensitize cancer cells to oxidative stress-inducing therapies.

scholarly journals The Reverse Warburg Effect Is Associated with Fbp2-Dependent Hif1α Regulation in Cancer Cells Stimulated by Fibroblasts

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Przemysław Duda ◽  
Jakub Janczara ◽  
James A. McCubrey ◽  
Agnieszka Gizak ◽  
Dariusz Rakus
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Lung Cancer Cells ◽  
Metabolic Coupling ◽  
Metabolic Conditions ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Lactate And Pyruvate ◽  
Reverse Warburg Effect

Fibroblasts are important contributors to cancer development. They create a tumor microenvironment and modulate our metabolism and treatment resistance. In the present paper, we demonstrate that healthy fibroblasts induce metabolic coupling with non-small cell lung cancer cells by down-regulating the expression of glycolytic enzymes in cancer cells and increasing the fibroblasts’ ability to release lactate and thus support cancer cells with energy-rich glucose-derived metabolites, such as lactate and pyruvate—a process known as the reverse Warburg effect. We demonstrate that these changes result from a fibroblasts-stimulated increase in the expression of fructose bisphosphatase (Fbp) in cancer cells and the consequent modulation of Hif1α function. We show that, in contrast to current beliefs, in lung cancer cells, the predominant and strong interaction with the Hif1α form of Fbp is not the liver (Fbp1) but in the muscle (Fbp2) isoform. Since Fbp2 oligomerization state and thus, its role is regulated by AMP and NAD+—crucial indicators of cellular metabolic conditions—we hypothesize that the Hif1α-dependent regulation of the metabolism in cancer is modulated through Fbp2, a sensor of the energy and redox state of a cell.

scholarly journals A tumour suppressive relationship between mineralocorticoid and retinoic acid receptors activates a transcriptional program consistent with a reverse Warburg effect in breast cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tram B. Doan ◽  
Vanessa Cheung ◽  
Colin D. Clyne ◽  
Heidi N. Hilton ◽  
Natalie Eriksson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Reverse Warburg Effect

Abstract Background The role of nuclear receptors in both the aetiology and treatment of breast cancer is exemplified by the use of the oestrogen receptor (ER) as a prognostic marker and treatment target. Treatments targeting the oestrogen signalling pathway are initially highly effective for most patients. However, for the breast cancers that fail to respond, or become resistant, to current endocrine treatments, the long-term outlook is poor. ER is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, comprising 48 members in the human, many of which are expressed in the breast and could be used as alternative targets in cases where current treatments are ineffective. Methods We used sparse canonical correlation analysis to interrogate potential novel nuclear receptor expression relationships in normal breast and breast cancer. These were further explored using whole transcriptome profiling in breast cancer cells after combinations of ligand treatments. Results Using this approach, we discovered a tumour suppressive relationship between the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and retinoic acid receptors (RAR), in particular RARβ. Expression profiling of MR expressing breast cancer cells revealed that mineralocorticoid and retinoid co-treatment activated an expression program consistent with a reverse Warburg effect and growth inhibition, which was not observed with either ligand alone. Moreover, high expression of both MR and RARB was associated with improved breast cancer-specific survival. Conclusion Our study reveals a previously unknown relationship between MR and RAR in the breast, which is dependent on menopausal state and altered in malignancy. This finding identifies potential new targets for the treatment of breast cancers that are refractory to existing therapeutic options.

In vitro and in vivo investigations of novel 1,4-napthoquinone sulphomethylene carbohydrate conjugates in prostate cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 104-104
Author(s):  
Tobias Busenbender ◽  
Sergey Dyshlovoy ◽  
Moritz Kaune ◽  
Lukas Boeckelmann ◽  
Tobias Lange ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Er Stress ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Human Prostate ◽  
Human Prostate Cancer ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
The Warburg Effect

104 Background: The Warburg effect describes the ability of cancer cells to consume larger amounts of glucose in comparison to normal tissue, due to the overexpression of insulin-independent glucose transporters (e.g. GLUT1). This effect can be used to enhance the selectivity and reduce side effects of cytotoxic anticancer molecules by its conjugation to sugar residues, thus, generating cytotoxic agents showing higher selectivity to cancer cells. In continuation of our research on anticancer natural 1,4-naphthoquinones we have investigated a large series of novel semi-synthetic molecules containing 1,4-naphthoquinones element conjugated with glucose molecule via -S-CH2- bond. Methods: We performed screening examinations for 35 novel synthetic molecules in human prostate cancer in vitro. The selected most active compounds were tested in several human prostate cancer cell lines harboring different levels of drug resistance, as well as in non-malignant cells to specify their selectivity. Compounds with the highest cytotoxicity and selectivity were further investigated. The mode of action was assessed including effects on apoptosis induction, oxidative stress, mitochondria, AR-signaling as well as glucose uptake and ER stress were assessed. In vivo dose finding and efficacy analyses were performed. Results: We identified two promising derivatives, showing IC50s at low micro- and nanomolar concentrations. Glucose depletion from the culture media led to increased cytotoxicity and cotreatment with a GLUT1-inhibitor showed an antagonistic effect, suggesting a concurrent uptake and therefore a Warburg effect targeting. The selected compounds exhibited most pronounced cytotoxic activity in DU145 cells as well as 22Rv1 cells. Non-malignant cells were generally less affected. The mode of action involves a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, a release of cytochrome c and AIF into the cytosol and an upregulation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, as well as downregulation of Bcl-2 and Survivin, indicating that mitochondria are a major target, leading to the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Early events in treated cells are ROS production and calcium release into the cytosol, a marker of ER-stress. Furthermore, downregulation of the AR and its signaling was observed on mRNA- and protein-level. In vivo experiments revealed antitumor activity in a 22Rv1-xenograft mouse model without severe side effects. Conclusions: In conclusion, we were able to identify two glucose-conjugated 1,4-naphthoquinones exhibiting potent in vitro and in vivoactivity and selectivity in human prostate cancer cells due to the Warburg effect targeting. Cytotoxic activity was exerted via initial ROS production and ER stress leading to mitochondrial damage and the induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

scholarly journals A Scaffold-Free 3-D Co-Culture Mimics the Major Features of the Reverse Warburg Effect In Vitro

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1900
Author(s):  
Florian Keller ◽  
Roman Bruch ◽  
Richard Schneider ◽  
Julia Meier-Hubberten ◽  
Mathias Hafner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Aerobic Glycolysis ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Mitochondrial Potential ◽  
Hexokinase 2 ◽  
Reverse Warburg Effect ◽  
Ht 29

Most tumors consume large amounts of glucose. Concepts to explain the mechanisms that mediate the achievement of this metabolic need have proposed a switch of the tumor mass to aerobic glycolysis. Depending on whether primarily tumor or stroma cells undergo such a commutation, the terms ‘Warburg effect’ or ‘reverse Warburg effect’ were coined to describe the underlying biological phenomena. However, current in vitro systems relying on 2-D culture, single cell-type spheroids, or basal-membrane extract (BME/Matrigel)-containing 3-D structures do not thoroughly reflect these processes. Here, we aimed to establish a BME/Matrigel-free 3-D microarray cancer model to recapitulate the metabolic interplay between cancer and stromal cells that allows mechanistic analyses and drug testing. Human HT-29 colon cancer and CCD-1137Sk fibroblast cells were used in mono- and co-cultures as 2-D monolayers, spheroids, and in a cell-chip format. Metabolic patterns were studied with immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. In chip-based co-cultures, HT-29 cells showed facilitated 3-D growth and increased levels of hexokinase-2, TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR), lactate dehydrogenase, and: translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), when compared with HT-29 mono-cultures. Fibroblasts co-cultured with HT-29 cells expressed higher levels of mono-carboxylate transporter 4, hexokinase-2, microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3, and ubiquitin-binding protein p62 than in fibroblast mono-cultures, in both 2-D cultures and chips. Tetramethylrhodamin-methylester (TMRM) live-cell imaging of chip co-cultures revealed a higher mitochondrial potential in cancer cells than in fibroblasts. The findings demonstrate a crosstalk between cancer cells and fibroblasts that affects cellular growth and metabolism. Chip-based 3-D co-cultures of cancer cells and fibroblasts mimicked features of the reverse Warburg effect.

The warburg effect and tumour cell survival in human GBMs

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Wolf ◽  
J Mukherjee ◽  
A Guha
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Expression Profile ◽  
Tumour Cell ◽  
Warburg Effect ◽  
Glycolytic Enzymes ◽  
Cytochrome C Release ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
The Warburg Effect

Introduction: GBMs are resistant to apoptosis induced by the hypoxic microenvironment and standard therapies including radiation and chemotherapy. We postulate that the Warburg effect, a preferential glycolytic phenotype of tumor cells even under aerobic conditions, plays a role in these aberrant pro-survival signals. In this study we quantitatively examined the expression profile of hypoxia-related glycolytic genes within pathologically- and MRI-defined “centre” and “periphery” of GBMs. We hypothesize that expression of hypoxia-induced glycolytic genes, particularly hexokinase 2 (HK2), favours cell survival and modulates resistance to tumour cell apoptosis by inhibiting the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Methods: GBM patients underwent conventional T1-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI and MR spectroscopy studies on a 3.0T GE scanner, prior to stereotactic sampling (formalin and frozen) from regions which were T1-Gad enhancing (“centre”) and T2-positive, T1-Gad negative (“periphery”). Real-time qRT-PCR was performed to quantify regional gene expression of glycolytic genes including HK2. In vitro functional studies were performed in U87 and U373 GBM cell lines grown in normoxic (21% pO2) and hypoxic (< 1%pO2) conditions, transfected with HK2 siRNA followed by measurement of cell proliferation (BrdU), apoptosis (activated caspase 3/7, TUNEL, cytochrome c release) and viability (MTS assay). Results: There exists a differential expression profile of glycolytic enzymes between the hypoxic center and relatively normoxic periphery of GBMs. Under hypoxic conditions, there is increased expression of HK2 at the mitochondrial membrane in GBM cells. In vitro HK2 knockdown led to decreased cell survival and increased apoptosis via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway, as seen by increased mitochondrial release of cytochrome-C. Conclusions: Increased expression of HK2 in the centre of GBMs promotes cell survival and confers resistance to apoptosis, as confirmed by in vitro studies. In vivo intracranial xenograft studies with injection of HK2-shRNA are currently being performed. HK2 and possibly other glycolytic enzymes may provide a target for enhanced therapeutic responsiveness thereby improving prognosis of patients with GBMs.

Activation of the intrinsic-apoptotic pathway in LNCaP prostate cancer cells by genistein- topotecan combination treatments

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Hörmann ◽  
Sivanesan Dhandayuthapani ◽  
James Kumi-Diaka ◽  
Appu Rathinavelu
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Prostate Cancer Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Combination Treatments

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. The development of alternative preventative and/or treatment options utilizing a combination of phytochemicals and chemotherapeutic drugs could be an attractive alternative compared to conventional carcinoma treatments. Genistein isoflavone is the primary dietary phytochemical found in soy and has demonstrated anti-tumor activities in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Topotecan Hydrochloride (Hycamtin) is an FDA-approved chemotherapy for secondary treatment of lung, ovarian and cervical cancers. The purpose of this study was to detail the potential activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in LNCaP prostate cancer cells through genistein-topotecan combination treatments. Methods: LNCaP cells were cultured in complete RPMI medium in a monolayer (70-80% confluency) at 37ºC and 5% CO2. Treatment consisted of single and combination groups of genistein and topotecan for 24 hours. The treated cells were assayed for i) growth inhibition through trypan blue exclusion assay and microphotography, ii) classification of cellular death through acridine/ ethidium bromide fluorescent staining, and iii) activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway through Jc-1: mitochondrial membrane potential assay, cytochrome c release and Bcl-2 protein expression.Results: The overall data indicated that genistein-topotecan combination was significantly more efficacious in reducing the prostate carcinoma’s viability compared to the single treatment options. In all treatment groups, cell death occurred primarily through the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.Conclusion: The combination of topotecan and genistein has the potential to lead to treatment options with equal therapeutic efficiency as traditional chemo- and radiation therapies, but lower cell cytotoxicity and fewer side effects in patients. Key words: topotecan; genistein; intrinsic apoptotic cell death

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