Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 278 in total

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  1. Fulltext Prevalence of overactive bladder syndrome (OABS) among women with gynaecological problems and its risk factors in a tertiary hospital, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia: Implication for primary healthcare providers
    Ahmad SM, Aznal SS, Tham SW
    Malays Fam Physician, 2015;10(2):2-8.
    PMID: 27099656 MyJurnal
    The objective of this paper was to determine the prevalence of overactive bladder syndrome (OABS) and its risk factors among patients with other gynaecological problems.
  2. Fulltext α-Thalassemia with Haemoglobin Adana mutation: prenatal diagnosis
    Zainal NZ, Alauddin H, Ahmad S, Hussin NH
    Malays J Pathol, 2014 Dec;36(3):207-11.
    PMID: 25500521
    Thalassaemia carriers are common in the Asian region including Malaysia. Asymptomatic patients can be undiagnosed until they present for their antenatal visits. Devastating obstetric outcome may further complicate the pregnancy if both parents are thalassaemia carriers leading to hydrophic fetus due to haemoglobin Bart's disease. However in certain cases where unexplained hydrops fetalis occur in parents with heterozygous thalassaemia carrier,mutated α genes should be suspected. We report a twenty-nine year old woman in her third pregnancy with two previous pregnancies complicated by early neonatal death at 21 and 28 weeks of gestation due to hydrops fetalis. DNA analysis revealed the patient to have heterozygous (--SEA) α-gene deletion, while her husband has a compound heterozygosity for α(3.7) deletion and codon 59 (GGC → GAC) mutation of the α-gene. This mutation, also known as hemoglobin Adana, can explain hydrops fetalis resulting from two alpha gene deletions from the patient (mother) and a single alpha gene deletion with mutation from the father. The third pregnancy resulted in a grossly normal baby boy with 3 α-gene deletions (HbH disease). We postulate that, in view of heterogenisity of the α-thalassaemia in this patient with severely unstable haemoglobin Adana chains from her husband, there will be a 25% possibility of fetal hydrops in every pregnancy.
  3. The influence of intraoperative factors and postoperative rehabilitation compliance on the integrity of the rotator cuff after arthroscopic repair
    Ahmad S, Haber M, Bokor DJ
    J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 2015 Feb;24(2):229-35.
    PMID: 25240808 DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2014.06.050
    The purpose of this study was to determine when cuff re-tear commonly occurs in the postoperative period and to investigate the clinical factors that might predispose to an early cuff re-tear.
  4. Fulltext Unsteady magnetohydrodynamic free convection flow of a second grade fluid in a porous medium with ramped wall temperature
    Samiulhaq, Ahmad S, Vieru D, Khan I, Shafie S
    PLoS One, 2014;9(5):e88766.
    PMID: 24785147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088766
    Magnetic field influence on unsteady free convection flow of a second grade fluid near an infinite vertical flat plate with ramped wall temperature embedded in a porous medium is studied. It has been observed that magnitude of velocity as well as skin friction in case of ramped temperature is quite less than the isothermal temperature. Some special cases namely: (i) second grade fluid in the absence of magnetic field and porous medium and (ii) Newtonian fluid in the presence of magnetic field and porous medium, performing the same motion are obtained. Finally, the influence of various parameters is graphically shown.
  5. Fulltext Psidium guajava and Piper betle leaf extracts prolong vase life of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers
    Rahman MM, Ahmad SH, Lgu KS
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:102805.
    PMID: 22619568 DOI: 10.1100/2012/102805
    The effect of leaf extracts of Psidium guajava and Piper betle on prolonging vase life of cut carnation flowers was studied. "Carola" and "Pallas Orange" carnation flowers, at bud stage, were pulsed 24 hours with a floral preservative. Then, flowers were placed in a vase solution containing sprite and a "germicide" (leaf extracts of P. guajava and P. betle, 8-HQC, or a copper coin). Flowers treated with 8-HQC, copper coin, and leaf extracts had longer vase life, larger flower diameter, and higher rate of water uptake compared to control (tap water). The leaf extracts of P. guajava and P. betle showed highest antibacterial and antifungal activities compared to the other treatments. Both showed similar effects on flower quality as the synthetic germicide, 8-HQC. Therefore, these extracts are likely natural germicides to prolong vase life of cut flowers.
  6. Fulltext Neuropsychiatric manifestation after a stroke: newly developed symptoms or side-effect of drug?
    Tan EC, Aziz NA, Ahmad S
    BMJ Case Rep, 2012;2012.
    PMID: 22907854 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006518
    A 55-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of left-sided body weakness and numbness, which was diagnosed as multifocal cerebral infarct with right thalamic bleed. She had concurrent hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. She suffered from central poststroke pain and reactive depression as poststroke complications, for which amitriptyline was prescribed. Unfortunately, she developed symptoms suggestive of mania and psychosis upon initiation of medications, which resolved upon withdrawal of amitriptyline. Amitriptyline is effective for treatment of poststroke pain and particularly useful in concomitant depression. Unexpectedly, this patient developed new psychopathologies after initiation of this medication. This case highlights the development of new psychopathologies that could be due to the antidepressant, underlying bipolar disorder or a complication of the stroke itself. Primary care providers need to actively enquire regarding neuropsychiatric symptoms because they can adversely affect the patient's quality of life as well as impede rehabilitation efforts.
  7. Fulltext Phorbol esters isolated from Jatropha meal induced apoptosis-mediated inhibition in proliferation of chang and Vero cell lines
    Oskoueian E, Abdullah N, Ahmad S
    Int J Mol Sci, 2012;13(11):13816-29.
    PMID: 23203036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms131113816
    The direct feeding of Jatropha meal containing phorbol esters (PEs) indicated mild to severe toxicity symptoms in various organs of different animals. However, limited information is available on cellular and molecular mechanism of toxicity caused by PEs present in Jatropha meal. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine the cytotoxic and mode of action of PEs isolated from Jatropha meal using human hepatocyte (Chang) and African green monkey kidney (Vero) cell lines. The results showed that isolated PEs inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines with the CC(50) of 125.9 and 110.3 μg/mL, respectively. These values were compatible to that of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) values as positive control i.e., 124.5 and 106.3 μg/mL respectively. Microscopic examination, flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation results confirmed cell death due to apoptosis upon treatment with PEs and PMA at CC(50) concentration for 24 h in both cell lines. The Western blot analysis revealed the overexpression of PKC-δ and activation of caspase-3 proteins which could be involved in the mechanism of action of PEs and PMA. Consequently, the PEs isolated form Jatropha meal caused toxicity and induced apoptosis-mediated proliferation inhibition toward Chang and Vero cell lines involving over-expression of PKC-δ and caspase-3 as their mode of actions.
  8. Fulltext Antifungal, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activities of three varieties of labisia pumila benth: from microwave obtained extracts
    Karimi E, Jaafar HZ, Ahmad S
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2013;13:20.
    PMID: 23347830 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-20
    Labisia pumila, locally known as Kacip Fatimah, is a forest-floor plant that has tremendous potential in the herbal industry. It is one of the five herbal plants identified by the government as one of the national key economic areas to be developed for commercial purposes. There are three varieties of L. pumila namely, L. pumila var. pumila, L. pumila var. alata and L. pumila var. lanceolata and each has its own use.
  9. Fulltext Antioxidant Potential in Different Parts and Callus of Gynura procumbens and Different Parts of Gynura bicolor
    Krishnan V, Ahmad S, Mahmood M
    Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:147909.
    PMID: 26491654 DOI: 10.1155/2015/147909
    Plants from Gynura family was used in this study, namely, Gynura procumbens and Gynura bicolor. Gynura procumbens is well known for its various medicinal properties such as antihyperglycaemic, antihyperlipidaemic, and antiulcerogenic; meanwhile, G. bicolor remains unexploited. Several nonenzymatic antioxidants methods were utilized to study the antioxidant capacity, which include ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, and ascorbic acid content determination. DPPH assay reveals G. procumbens shoot as the lowest (66.885%) and G. procumbens root as the highest (93.499%) DPPH radical inhibitor. In FRAP assay, reducing power was not detected in G. procumbens leaf callus (0.000 TEAC mg/g FW) whereby G. procumbens root exhibits the highest (1.103 TEAC mg/g FW) ferric reducing power. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content exhibited similar trend for both the intact plants analysed. In all antioxidant assays, G. procumbens callus culture exhibits very low antioxidant activity. However, G. procumbens root exhibited highest phenolic content, flavonoid content, and ascorbic acid content with 4.957 TEAC mg/g FW, 543.529 QE µg/g FW, and 54.723 µg/g FW, respectively. This study reveals that G. procumbens root extract is a good source of natural antioxidant.
  10. Fulltext Maternal filicide among women admitted to forensic psychiatric institutions in Malaysia: case series
    Razali S, Salleh RM, Yahya B, Ahmad SH
    East Asian Arch Psychiatry, 2015 Jun;25(2):79-87.
    PMID: 26118747
    Objectives: To examine the characteristics of maternal filicide and describe the adverse life events experienced by women who have committed filicide and been hospitalised in forensic psychiatric institutions in Malaysia.
    Methods: Registration records from 2000 through 2012 of female patients from 2 main forensic psychiatric institutions in Malaysia were reviewed. The medical records of patients who had committed maternal filicide were selected and descriptively evaluated.
    Results: A total of 18 cases of maternal filicide were identified. Family dysfunction that presented with marital discord, domestic violence, or husband with substance abuse was the main stress experienced by the women. Three social circumstances, including an adolescent who became a victim of date rape; immigrants who experienced sexual abuse; and filicide-suicide precipitated by financial difficulties were highlighted.
    Conclusion: Women who committed filicide had experienced various difficulties in their life. The presence of such life events might alert mental health professionals to investigate the possibility of filicide among their patients.
    Key words: Depressive disorder; Domestic violence; Infanticide; Maternal behavior
  11. Lipase-catalyzed esterification of palm-based 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid and 1-octanol in hexane--a kinetic study
    Awang R, Basri M, Ahmad S, Salleh AB
    Biotechnol Lett, 2004 Jan;26(1):11-4.
    PMID: 15005144
    The esterification of palm-based 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid (DHSA) and 1-octanol in hexane as catalyzed by lipase from Rhizomucor meihei (Lipozyme IM) followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The esterification reaction follows a Ping-Pong, Bi-Bi mechanism. The maximum rate was estimated to be 1 micromol min(-1) mg(-1) catalyst in hexane at 50 degrees C, and the Michaelis-Menten constants for DHSA and 1-octanol were 1.3 M and 0.7 M, respectively.
  12. Fulltext Cholinesterase-based biosensor for preliminary detection of toxic heavy metals in the environment and agricultural-based products
    Sabullah, M. K., Khalidi, S. A. M., Abdullah, R., Sani, S. A., Gansau, J. A., Ahmad, S. A., et al.
    International Food Research Journal, 2020;27(4):597-609.
    MyJurnal
    Heavy metals with high chemical activity from sludge and waste release, agriculture, and
    mining activity are a major concern. They should be carefully managed before reaching the
    main water bodies. Excessive exposure to heavy metal may cause toxic effect to any types of
    organism from the biomolecular to the physiological level, and ultimately cause death. Monitoring is the best technique to ensure the safety of our environment before a rehabilitation is
    needed. Nowadays, enzyme-based biosensors are utilised in biomonitoring programmes as
    this technique allows for a real-time detection and rapid result. It is also inexpensive and easy
    to handle. Enzyme-based biosensors are an alternative for the preliminary screening of
    contamination before a secondary screening is performed using high-performance technology.
    This review highlights the current knowledge on enzyme-based biosensors, focusing on
    cholinesterase for toxic metal detection in the environment.
  13. Primary care barriers to cataract surgery in the eastern zone of Peninsular Malaysia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
    Nurulain MZ, Ahmad S, Asma H, Abdul M
    Med J Malaysia, 2018 04;73(2):67-72.
    PMID: 29703868
    OBJECTIVE: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in Malaysia. There is an alarming backlog of cataract extraction surgery as the majority believes they did not require surgery. This study aimed to explore the barriers at the primary care level to cataract surgery from the perspective of patients with severe cataract blindness.

    METHODS: Eleven participants were involved in this qualitative research which utilised the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach more renowned in health psychology research. All interviews conducted at their home. The interviews were recorded, typed verbatim, and the transcripts were analysed using NVivo software version 8.0.

    RESULTS: The main barriers identified at the primary care level were 1) nondisclosure of their visual problems originated from their belated needs for better sight, delayed awareness of their visual status and social stigma and 2) patient-provider-related issues namely miscommunication and delayed referral. The first main theme explains their belief for not requiring surgery. This has led to their delayed awareness and impeded disclosure of their visual problems to family members or primary care providers. The second main theme reflects the provider-patient-related issues which retarded cataract detection and referral process required for earlier cataract extraction surgery.

    CONCLUSION: Thus, the appropriate approach targeting these specific barriers at primary care level will be able to detect, motivate and assist patients for early uptake of cataract extraction surgery to improve their vision and prevent severe blindness.

  14. CD133: beyond a cancer stem cell biomarker
    Barzegar Behrooz A, Syahir A, Ahmad S
    J Drug Target, 2019 03;27(3):257-269.
    PMID: 29911902 DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2018.1479756
    CD133 (prominin-1), a pentaspan membrane glycoprotein, is one of the most well-characterized biomarkers used for the isolation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The presence of CSCs is one of the main causes of tumour reversal and resilience. Accumulating evidence has shown that CD133 might be responsible for CSCs tumourigenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. It is now understood that CD133 interacts with the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways. Moreover, CD133 can upregulate the expression of the FLICE-like inhibitory protein (FLIP) in CD133-positive cells, inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, CD133 can increase angiogenesis by activating the Wnt signalling pathway and increasing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and interleukin-8. Therefore, CD133 could be considered to be an 'Achilles' heel' for CSCs, because by inhibiting this protein, the signalling pathways that are involved in cell proliferation will also be inhibited. By understanding the molecular biology of CD133, we can not only isolate stem cells but can also utilise it as a therapeutic strategy. In this review, we summarise new insights into the fundamental cell biology of CD133 and discuss the involvement of CD133 in metastasis, metabolism, tumourigenesis, drug-resistance, apoptosis and autophagy.
  15. Fulltext Influence of forced-air precooling time on the changes in quality attributes and consumer acceptance of Musa AAA Berangan
    Kuan, C.H., Ahmad, S. H., Son, R., Yap, E. S. P., Zamri, M. Z., Shukor, N. I. A., et al.
    International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(5):1864-1869.
    MyJurnal
    A good temperature management, such as precooling and cold storage, can delay deterioration of fresh produce. In this study, different forced-air precooling times were applied on Musa AAA Berangan to investigate the influence of forced-air precooling time on the changes of quality attributes and consumer acceptance. The banana was subjected to forced-air precooling treatment (5 ± 1°C) for 0, 14, 50, and 120 min and then stored in a cold room (13 ± 1°C) for 2 weeks. Then, all the fruits were transferred to a ripening room (25 ± 2°C) and initiated to ripen with ethylene gas. Quality attributes analyses and sensory evaluations were conducted when the fruits reached maturity index 5. Quality parameters, such as soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, pulp firmness, and peel colour, showed no significant differences when fruits were precooled at different times. Blackening of peel as a result of chilling injury occurred in fruits treated with forced-air precooling for 50 and 120 min. This blackening significantly influenced consumer acceptance, although it did not affect the pulp colour and taste.
  16. Fulltext Report - Assessment of total phenolic compounds and in vitro free radical scavenging potentials of water extracts of ten selected species of Zingiberaceae rhizomes use in folkloric medicine
    Adekoya AA, Ahmad S, Maziah M
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2016 May;29(3):979-84.
    PMID: 27166542
    The use of herbal medicine and traditional healing practices for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness and ailment continue to have more awareness among the scientific community due to their safety and also as a source of alternatives to synthetic products. This research assessed the total phenolic compounds and in vitro total antioxidant potentials of water extracts in selected species of Zingiberaceae rhizomes use as spice, drinks and medicine. DPPH and FRAP were used to determine the antioxidant capacity, total flavonoid, phenolic acids and polyphenol contents assays to evaluate the quality of the antioxidant activity and the control was ascorbic acid. The results showed that all extracts contain significant antioxidant activity with Zingiber officinale having the highest activity in all assays. DPPH (222.30mg/TE/g DW), FRAP (98.04mg/TE/g DW), Flavonoid (38.58mg/NGN/g DW) phenolic acid (10.78mg/GAE/g DW) and polyphenols (22.84mg/GAE/g DW). Significant and positive linear correlation were found in DPPH, FRAP and total flavonoid, phenolic acids and polyphenol contents. This study reveals some phytochemicals present in Zingiberaceae species, which might be responsible for their biological activities and reason for it use in folkloric medicine in Southeast Asia.
  17. Targeting immunosuppressor cells with nanoparticles in autoimmunity: How far have we come to?
    Ahmad S, Al-Hatamleh MAI, Mohamud R
    Cell Immunol, 2021 10;368:104412.
    PMID: 34340162 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104412
    Autoimmunity is the assault of immune response towards self-antigens, resulting to inflammation and tissue injury. It is staged into three phases and caused by malfunction of immune tolerance. In our body, immune tolerance is synchronized by several immunosuppressor cells such as regulatory T cells and B cells as well as myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which are prominently dysregulated in autoimmunity. Hence, targeting these cell populations serve as a significant potential in the therapy of autoimmunity. Nanotechnology with its advantageous properties is shown to be a remarkable tool as drug delivery system in this field. This review focused on the development of therapeutics in autoimmune diseases utilizing various nanoparticles formulation based on two targeting approaches in autoimmunity, passive and active targeting. Lastly, this review outlined the approved present nanomedicines as well as in clinical evaluations and issues regarding the lack of translation of these nanomedicines into the market, despite the abundant of positive experimental observations.
  18. Cryopreservation versus fresh frozen meniscal allograft: A biomechanical comparative analysis
    Ahmad S, Singh VA, Hussein SI
    J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2017 8 29;25(3):2309499017727946.
    PMID: 28844199 DOI: 10.1177/2309499017727946
    Meniscal allograft transplantation may be a better alternative for the treatment of irreparable meniscal injury compared to other forms of treatment. However, it remains to be seen whether the use fresh frozen allograft is better than cryopreserved allograft in treating this type of injury. We hypothesized that cryopreserved meniscal allograft would work better in maintaining the original biomechanical properties compared to fresh frozen ones, due to the lower amount of damage it incurs during the storage process. We examined young and healthy human menisci obtained from orthopedic oncology patients who underwent resection surgeries around the knee. The menisci obtained were preserved via cryopreservation and deep-freezing process. Traction tests were carried out on the menisci after 6 weeks of preservation. Twelve pairs ( N = 24) of menisci were divided equally into two groups, cryopreservation and deep frozen. There were six males and six female menisci donors for this study. The age range was between 15 and 35 years old (24.9 ± 8.6 years). Cryopreserved specimens had a higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS; 8.2 ± 1.3 Mpa vs. 13.3 ± 1.7 Mpa: p < 0.05) and elastic modulus (61.7 ± 27.6 Mpa vs. 87.0 ± 44.10 Mpa: p < 0.05) compared to the fresh frozen specimens. There was a significant difference in UTS ( p < 0.05) between the two groups but no significant difference in their elastic modulus ( p > 0.05). The elastic modulus of the preserved meniscus was similar to fresh normal menisci taken from other studies (60-120 Mpa; cryopreserved (87.0 ± 44.1) and fresh frozen (61.7 ± 27.5)). Cryopreserved menisci had a higher elastic modulus and point of rupture (UTS) compared to fresh frozen menisci. Cryopreservation proved to be a significantly better method of preservation, among the two methods of preservation in this study.
  19. Status of sustainable manufacturing practices: literature review and trends of triple bottom-line-based sustainability assessment methodologies
    Ahmad S, Wong KY, Butt SI
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Mar;30(15):43068-43095.
    PMID: 35904736 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22172-z
    Due to significant requirement of energy, water, material, and other resources, the manufacturing industries significantly impact environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability (triple bottom-line). In response, today's research is focused on finding solution towards sustainable manufacturing. In this regard, sustainability assessment is an essential strategy. In the past, a variety of tools was developed to evaluate the environmental dimension. Because of this fact, previous review studies were grounded mostly on tools for green manufacturing. Unlike previous review articles, this study was aimed to review and analyze the emerging sustainability assessment methodologies (published from 2010 to 2020) for manufacturing while considering the triple bottom-line concept of sustainability. In this way, the paper presents a decade review on this topic, starting from 2010 as the guidelines for the social dimension became available in 2009. This paper has analyzed various methods and explored recent progress patterns. First, this study critically reviewed the methods and then analyzed their different integrating tools, sustainability dimensions, nature of indicators, difficulty levels, assessment boundaries, etc. The review showed that life cycle assessment and analytic hierarchy process-based approaches were most commonly used as integrating tools. Comparatively, still, environmental dimension was more commonly considered than economic and social dimensions by most of the reviewed methods. From indicators' viewpoint, most of the studied tools were based on limited number of indicators, having no relative weights and validation from the experts. To overcome these challenges, future research directions were outlined to make these methods more inclusive and reliable. Along with putting more focus on economic and social dimensions, there is a need to employ weighted, validated, and applicable indicators in sustainability assessment methods for manufacturing.
  20. Fulltext Phorbol esters from Jatropha meal triggered apoptosis, activated PKC-δ, caspase-3 proteins and down-regulated the proto-oncogenes in MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines
    Oskoueian E, Abdullah N, Ahmad S
    Molecules, 2012 Sep 10;17(9):10816-30.
    PMID: 22964499 DOI: 10.3390/molecules170910816
    Jatropha meal produced from the kernel of Jatropha curcas Linn. grown in Malaysia contains phorbol esters (PEs). The potential benefits of PEs present in the meal as anticancer agent are still not well understood. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic effects and mode of actions of PEs isolated from Jatropha meal against breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. Isolated PEs inhibited cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner of both MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines with the IC₅₀ of 128.6 ± 2.51 and 133.0 ± 1.96 µg PMA equivalents/mL respectively, while the values for the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) as positive control were 114.7 ± 1.73 and 119.6 ± 3.73 µg/mL, respectively. Microscopic examination showed significant morphological changes that resemble apoptosis in both cell lines when treated with PEs and PMA at IC₅₀ concentration after 24 h. Flow cytometry analysis and DNA fragmentation results confirmed the apoptosis induction of PEs and PMA in both cell lines. The PEs isolated from Jatropha meal activated the PKC-δ and down-regulated the proto-oncogenes (c-Myc, c-Fos and c-Jun). These changes probably led to the activation of Caspase-3 protein and apoptosis cell death occurred in MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines upon 24 h treatment with PEs and PMA. Phorbol esters of Jatropha meal were found to be promising as an alternative to replace the chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer therapy.
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