Ice krill () play a key role in the Antarctic coastal ecosystem, yet its spatial growth variability remains poorly understood. This study examined 5298 krill individuals from 52 stations across the Amundsen Sea, transitional waters, and the Ross Sea, collected between 2020 and 2024. Length-weight relationships (LWR) were constructed to derive the condition factor and the allometric growth exponent , followed by regional comparisons and environmental response analyses using boxplots, redundancy analysis (RDA), and generalized additive models (GAM). Boxplots revealed that was significantly higher in the Amundsen Sea and transitional zone than in the Ross Sea, while was highest and most variable in the Amundsen Sea. RDA indicated that was primarily associated with depth, latitude, mean temperature, and mean salinity, whereas was influenced by sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-, sea ice concentration, and longitude. GAM further showed nonlinear responses of to mean temperature, mean salinity, and depth, with peaks near -0.5 °C, 34.2 PSU, and 3500 m, respectively. These results suggest that krill in deep, cold, and less-productive transitional zone allocate more energy to body condition (high value ), while those in warmer, moderately productive regions like the Amundsen Sea invest more in structural growth (high value ). This study provides new insights into the environmentally driven growth strategies of ice krill and contributes to understanding its ecological adaptability under changing climatic and oceanographic conditions.

Oxidative stress compromises follicle survival during in vitro culture. Natural antioxidants may reduce cellular damage and preserve tissue integrity. This study evaluated the ethanolic extract from L. (EE-PG) on bovine ovarian tissue cultured in vitro. Bovine ovarian ( = 24) fragments were cultured for 6 days in αMEM medium with or without EE-PG at 10, 50, or 100 µg/mL. At the end of the in vitro culture, the medium was used to evaluate antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS assays), while the fragments were collected for morphological and biochemical analyses. HPLC-UV-Vis confirmed the presence of α-punicalagin in the pure EE-PG. At 100 µg/mL, EE-PG showed the strongest effects: it had higher antioxidant capacity, preserved follicle morphology and ultrastructure, and promoted follicle activation. At 50 and 100 µg/mL, the extract also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased thiol levels, indicating protection against lipid peroxidation. In contrast, 10 µg/mL had little effect. Follicle and oocyte diameters were not significantly altered, but the collagen I/III ratio increased at higher concentrations, suggesting extracellular matrix remodeling. Together, these findings demonstrate that EE-PG protects bovine preantral follicles from oxidative stress, maintains redox balance, and preserves tissue integrity. These results reinforce the potential of L. extract as a natural antioxidant in reproductive biotechnologies and fertility preservation.

Lighting intensity (LI) affects broilers' behavior, circadian rhythms, physiology, and welfare, making it essential in commercial broiler management. This study evaluated the effects of three LIs (50, 20, and 5 lux) on Ross 708 and Cobb 700 broilers from day 8 to 56 in separate trials conducted under identical conditions. Growth performance (body weight (BW), feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR)) and welfare indicators (gait, feather condition, temperature, and footpad dermatitis were assessed biweekly. Ross broilers at 50 lux showed reduced BW on day 42 ( = 0.03), with no BW differences observed on day 56 ( = 0.14). FCR was unaffected by LI for Ross broilers. For Cobb broilers, BW was not affected by LI, though birds under 5 lux exhibited approximately 2.6% lower FCR on day 28 ( = 0.04) and 7.8% lower FCR on day 42 ( = 0.01). LI of 50 lux was associated with increased back temperatures, while bird at 5 lux showed better feather coverage and lower belly temperature ( < 0.01). Ross under 20 lux showed poorer feather cleanliness ( < 0.01), while those under 50 lux had better gait scores on day 56 ( < 0.01). These results demonstrate that production and welfare responded differently to LI, and that these responses also varied between strains. These findings contribute to sustainable poultry production by balancing welfare, efficiency, and growth.

This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of two probiotic strains, TRM58163 and TRM59525-originally isolated from human infant feces (aged 0-6 months)-on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, liver function, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota in 100-day-old Baicheng You chickens fed a low-protein diet. Ten strains isolated from infant feces were initially screened, and eight were assessed in vitro for safety, gastrointestinal tolerance, and antimicrobial activity. TRM58163 and TRM59525 showed the best probiotic potential. A total of 240 Baicheng You chickens (100 days old) were randomly assigned to two groups: The control group was fed a low-protein diet (CLD), while the experimental group had TRM58163 and TRM59525 added to the low-protein diet (LLD, ≥1 × 10 CFU/g feed). Each treatment included four replicates of 30 chickens over 42 days. Probiotic supplementation significantly improved average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) ( < 0.05). It also enhanced antioxidant status, with increased plasma superoxide dismutase activity and reduced malondialdehyde levels. Lower total bilirubin levels indicated improved liver function. The LLD group showed increased ileal villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed greater microbial diversity, increased beneficial genera (e.g., , ), and decreased harmful taxa (e.g., ). These microbial shifts were associated with improved growth and metabolic profiles. In conclusion, TRM58163 and TRM59525 supplementation improved performance, gut health, and microbial composition, supporting their use as functional probiotics in low-protein poultry diets.

This study tests a theoretical model explaining reactions to animal abuse in terms of attitudes, norms, and moral obligation, based on research concerning pro-environmental and anti-ecological behavior, as offenses against animals have been considered environmental crimes in legal terms. The sample consisted of 624 people from the general population, aged 18 to 93 (64.1% female), randomly assigned one of three versions of the same scenario of abuse, differing in the category of animal (protected/pet/farm). Participants were requested to complete a questionnaire that included items about the observed variables (descriptive social norm) and latent variables (injunctive social norm, personal norm, moral obligation, attitude toward animals, speciesism, and reaction to animal abuse). The resulting model obtained appropriate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.054; CFI = 0.917) and a high percentage of explained variance of reaction (77%) and confirmed the expectation that moral obligation is the strongest predictor of reactions to animal abuse and activates the personal norm. Personal norm is predicted by attitudes toward animals and the injunctive social norm, which depends on the descriptive social norm. Speciesism was excluded from the model due to its negative covariance with attitudes toward animals and to provide a better-fitting model. The results are discussed in terms of how the human-animal relationship is mediated by the role played in animal categorization, not only by their characteristics, but also by the instrumentality attributed to them socially and culturally.

Uterus masculinus is a rare disorder of sexual development in males, characterized by the presence of tubular female genitalia. Diagnostic imaging reports of infected uterus masculinus are limited. We describe the ultrasonographic and computed tomographic findings in three dogs, all presenting with abdominal distension, pain, and systemic infection. Imaging consistently revealed a fluid-filled, bicornuate structure arising from the prostate. In two dogs, the horns extended through the inguinal rings to the scrotal testes; in the third, with a prior left orchiectomy, both horns were intra-abdominal, the right ending in a peritoneal mass. Surgery and histopathology confirmed infected uterus masculinus, with isolated from urine in all dogs and from the structure in two. Two dogs had Leydig cell tumors, one with concurrent uterine neoplasia; the third had an ovarian or ovotesticular granulosa cell tumor. Although rare, infected uterus masculinus is potentially life-threatening and should be considered in male dogs with abdominal pain, distension, or systemic infection. This is the first case series describing combined ultrasonographic and tomographic features of infected uterus masculinus, including novel findings such as cervix-like mural narrowing and fluid-fluid levels. It is also the first imaging description of an ovarian or ovotesticular tumor in a dog with uterus masculinus.

Standardized fishing gear represents a common fisheries management intervention, yet its effectiveness in multi-species freshwater ecosystems remains insufficiently assessed. This study presents the first application of the Length-Based Bayesian Biomass (LBB) method to systematically evaluate the stock status of eight major commercial fish species in Xingkai Lake (located within China). Length-frequency data collected in 2019 (marking the policy initiation) and 2024 (after five years of implementation) were used to estimate key population parameters and exploitation indicators. The results revealed that the four species (, , , and ) recovered to healthy status ( ≥ 1.0), demonstrating the policy's effectiveness for small-bodied, fast-growing species. In contrast, three species (, , and ) remained grossly overfished ( < 0.5), while experienced increased fishing pressure, indicating limited efficacy for larger, slow-growing species with collapsed initial stocks. Although the mesh size increase facilitated recovery of specific populations, fisheries resources in Xingkai Lake continue to face overfishing pressure. Management strategies lacking an ecosystem perspective may not only fail to achieve conservation objectives but could also trigger ecological risks. This study underscores that ecosystem-based management is essential for sustainable management of multi-species fisheries.

The Huainan yellow-feathered chicken is a prized local breed known for its high-quality meat. However, excessive abdominal fat deposition adversely affects feed efficiency and carcass quality. This study aimed to identify genetic markers and candidate genes associated with fat traits to facilitate marker-assisted selection (MAS) using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A total of 220 chickens were phenotyped for abdominal fat weight (AFW), abdominal fat percentage (AFP), intramuscular fat of pectoral muscle (IFPM), and intramuscular fat of leg muscle (IFLM). GWAS based on whole-genome resequencing revealed significant SNPs for AFW and AFP on chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 10, 13, and 35, annotating genes including , , , and . For IFPM and IFLM, significant loci were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 23, 25, 26, and 28, highlighting genes such as , , and . Functional enrichment analysis showed involvement of steroid hormone biosynthesis, retinol metabolism, and cytochrome P450 pathways in abdominal fat deposition, while Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways regulated intramuscular fat. These findings provide molecular targets for genetic selection to improve fat traits in Huainan chickens.

This work sought to test the positive effect of red LED light on frozen bovine sperm resistance to thawing in suboptimal conditions. Moreover, a preliminary study explores whether this improvement could have any repercussions on in vivo fertilizing ability. Thus, frozen bull semen straws (n = 16) were thawed (a) with irradiation for 5 min at 20 °C (2 min light, 1 min darkness, 2 min light; PHOTO); (b) without irradiation for 5 min at 20 °C (ET); or (c) through immersion into a water bath at 38 °C for 40 s as standard control (CONTROL). Sperm quality and preliminary, purely descriptive AI trials were performed. The PHOTO samples demonstrated significantly ( < 0.05) improved percentages of intact acrosomes, progressive motility, DNA condensation and fragmentation, and viable sperm with high ROS/superoxides. The viability of PHOTO samples decreased significantly ( < 0.05) when compared with the ET ones. Overall results of both the PHOTO and ET samples were poorer than those of the CONTROL. Otherwise, the PHOTO straws yielded greater pregnancy rates (64.0% vs. 49.4% in CONTROL) when evaluated at two different farms. The results suggest that irradiating cryopreserved bovine sperm during thawing in suboptimal conditions could improve AI pregnancy rates, although more in vivo studies are needed to support this conclusion.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous blood product concentrated with platelets and their associated growth factors, has been the subject of increasing investigation in veterinary medicine. Although it is widely used in domestic species, its use in wildlife is less well-explored, despite its potential to address complicated clinical scenarios such as traumatic injuries, chronic wounds, and orthopaedic conditions, which are frequently encountered in wild animals under human care. Expanding the evidence base for PRP in non-domestic species could therefore significantly advance clinical outcomes in rehabilitation, zoo medicine, and conservation initiatives. The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe the existing evidence on the clinical use of PRP in wildlife. This included details on protocols, outcomes, species-specific considerations, and knowledge that is still missing. A literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to August 2025. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported on the preparation, application, or clinical outcomes of PRP in non-domestic animal species. This included case reports, research articles, and reviews. A total of 65 studies were finally included. The data were classified by species group (e.g., reptiles, birds, mammals) and clinical application (e.g., wound healing, orthopaedics, chronic disease management). The search identified a limited but growing body of evidence, primarily consisting of case reports and small-scale experimental studies. The application of PRP was found to have beneficial effects on wound closure, inflammation reduction, and enhanced tissue regeneration across multiple taxa. However, substantial variation existed across protocols in platelet concentration, activation methods, and application routes across protocols. Species-specific challenges, such as limited blood volume and logistical constraints in wildlife settings, were frequently noted. Current evidence suggests that PRP is a promising therapeutic tool in wildlife medicine; however, the development of standardised methodologies and the implementation of controlled clinical trials remain urgently needed. Widening its use could not only enhance animal welfare but also reinforce conservation initiatives and advance One Health strategies by generating insights with direct relevance to human medicine.

The efficiency of the laparoscopic ovum pick-up and in vitro embryo production (LOPU-IVEP) system in sheep is governed by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. This study comprehensively evaluated the effects of breed, season, and their interaction on oocyte retrieval, embryonic development, and pregnancy outcomes in a commercial setting. A 20-month longitudinal analysis of a large commercial cohort revealed that breed was the dominant factor determining oocyte quantity, whereas season exerted a stronger influence on developmental competence. Specifically, autumn and winter provided optimal conditions, resulting in significantly higher cleavage rate and blastocyst rate ( < 0.05). A significant breed-by-season interaction further identified synergistic combinations, such as Black-headed Suffolk in autumn or winter, which achieved superior embryo production outcomes. Importantly, correlation analysis revealed that oocyte quantity was not predictive of developmental potential or pregnancy success. These findings underscore the necessity of a precision management strategy that aligns LOPU schedules with breed-specific seasonal advantages to maximize annual embryo production efficiency.

Feline ascites has been reported to have a poor prognosis, with a median survival time of 21 days (considering all etiologies). However, previous studies included relatively small populations (<100 cases) and there is no literature evaluating the prognosis of all causes of feline ascites within the last 20 years. This study aimed to assess the survival times of a large population of cats presenting with ascites and assess the effect of the effusion cause, signalment, clinicopathological and imaging findings on survival. Data was acquired from the medical record system of a referral hospital (including both referrals and first-opinion emergency cases). Four hundred and ninety-eight cats met the inclusion criteria and 55% of all cases survived to discharge. Median survival time post-discharge was 30.5 days. The cause of the effusion was significantly associated with survival to discharge ( = 0.002). Common etiologies of ascites included neoplasia, septic peritonitis, sterile inflammatory disease, uroperitoneum, hemoperitoneum and cardiac disease. Uroperitoneum cases had the highest rate of survival to discharge (77%), while hemoperitoneum cases had the lowest percentage surviving to discharge (40%). Subjectively assessed effusion volume on imaging was significantly associated with survival to discharge ( = 0.012). Subjective assessment of the effusion volume and effusion assessment via abdominocentesis to help obtain a diagnosis can help guide prognosis and are diagnostics that do not require advanced techniques or specialist equipment, which can provide important prognostic information for cats presenting with ascites.

EHP causes hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis in shrimp, leading to growth retardation without notable mortality. To examine potential environmental carriers, farmed bivalves were collected near shrimp ponds in Korea and screened for EHP using nested PCR targeting the spore-wall-protein gene. DNA of EHP was mainly detected in gill and digestive tissues of oysters, scallops, mussels, and clams. Histopathology after 24 h immersion exposure confirmed spores within the intestinal epithelium of clams, indicating short-term invasion potential. These results suggest that bivalves can retain and mechanically transfer EHP spores through shared seawater between shrimp farms and surrounding areas. Considering the environmental persistence of EHP, continuous surveillance of local invertebrates is recommended to reduce the risk of EHP introduction and further spread in aquaculture systems.

The temperature-humidity index (THI) remains one of the most widely used tools for assessing heat stress in dairy farming; however, its application is often limited by methodological inconsistencies and insufficient integration with welfare indicators. This study proposes a unified analytical framework for evaluating thermal load at the herd level by combining daily THI values with productivity, feed intake, and clinical indicators such as mastitis and lameness. The analysis was based on two years of herd-level data from a commercial dairy farm with naturally ventilated barns. General linear models (GLM) were applied to assess both direct and delayed effects of heat stress and to compare model reproducibility across years. The results confirmed that maximum daily THI had the strongest association with milk composition and dry matter intake, while cumulative heat load and elevated night-time THI contributed to increased mastitis and lameness incidence. The inclusion of welfare indicators substantially improved the explanatory power of THI-based models, providing a more biologically relevant assessment of heat stress. The proposed framework enhances the accuracy of herd-level monitoring and supports the development of predictive models for welfare-oriented management in dairy systems.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a naturally occurring contaminant pervasively found in agricultural produce, exhibiting extremely high carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and immunotoxicity, thereby constituting a substantial menace to worldwide food security and public health. Consequently, developing green and efficient degradation strategies for AFB1 is highly important. The intestinal tract of black soldier fly () larvae (BSFL) contains complex, functionally diverse microbial communities that function as microbial reactors to degrade emerging environmental pollutants such as pesticides, microplastics, mycotoxins, and antibiotics. This functional characteristic offers a novel approach for mitigating AFB1 contamination. In this review, we systematically summarize the currently reported AFB1 degradation methods, focusing on the biological mode of action of the intestinal microbiota of BSFL. We elaborate on the efficacy of BSFL in AFB1 detoxification in terms of the host-microorganism co-degradation mechanism and discuss the core intestinal microbiota of BSFL and the main microbial degradation pathways involved in AFB1 metabolism during degradation. Given the low cost, high efficiency, safety, and sustainability of using the BSFL as living microbial reactors in which the core gut microbiota and the larval host detoxifying enzyme system synergistically degrade AFB1, this study provides a scientific reference for managing AFB1 pollution to overcome food security issues.

Hypoglycin A is a plant-derived protoxin that causes atypical myopathy in equids. In atypical myopathy-affected horses, metabolomic and microbiome studies have reported alterations in metabolic markers and faecal microbiota composition, pointing to a potential disruption of microbial homeostasis. However, in vivo observations are strongly confounded by host-related factors, underscoring the need for controlled in vitro approaches. To address this, we used an in vitro static batch fermentation model simulating the equine colon to investigate the direct effects of hypoglycin A on microbiota composition and activity. Faecal inocula from healthy horses were incubated in control and hypoglycin A-treated fermenters for 48 h, with serial analyses of hypoglycin A concentration, short-chain fatty acids, and 16S rRNA gene profiles. Hypoglycin A remained stable in the nutritive medium in the absence of microbiota, confirming that its degradation in inoculated fermenters was microbiota-dependent. The results showed significant microbial-associated hypoglycin A degradation without evidence of toxic metabolite formation. The analysis of α- and β-diversity revealed both an effect of incubation time, reflecting the natural temporal dynamics of microbial communities under batch fermentation, and a specific impact of hypoglycin A exposure, with certain taxa such as being affected. This study provides the first in vitro evidence that the equine microbiota contributes to hypoglycin A degradation.

Silver pomfret () is an economically valuable marine species with growing potential for large-scale aquaculture in China. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in artificial breeding, nutritional research, and disease management; however, the industry's development remains constrained by technological and operational challenges. This review provides an overview of the biological characteristics of and systematically summarizes the research progress and technological applications in artificial breeding, nutritional physiology, disease management, and aquaculture systems. It also analyzes the key constraints hindering the development of its aquaculture industry. Based on current research progress and industry needs, five strategic measures are proposed to accelerate industry development: (1) establishing a comprehensive germplasm repository; (2) breeding high-performance new varieties; (3) developing species-specific compound feeds; (4) enhancing disease prevention and biosecurity systems; and (5) standardizing operational protocols for different aquaculture systems. The implementation of these measures will provide a theoretical reference and technical support for the high-quality development of the aquaculture industry in China.

The European wildcat () is a mesocarnivore widely distributed across Europe, with populations in the Iberian Peninsula experiencing decline due to habitat fragmentation, hybridization with domestic cats, and anthropogenic factors. Among the parasites commonly found in wildcats are cestodes of the genus , which includes cryptic species within the complex. This study aimed to identify species within this complex infecting wildcats in central Spain using both morphological and molecular methods. A total of 26 road-killed wildcats were collected between 2021 and 2023 from Castilla and León and Castilla-La Mancha. Cestodes were recovered from 73% of individuals, yielding a total of 240 specimens. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene and a newly developed multiplex PCR targeting cox1, cytb and nad4 genes enabled differentiation between and European sp., confirming their presence in definitive hosts in Spain for the first time. Mixed infections were detected in 60% of infected wildcats. The high prevalence and parasite load observed highlight the role of rodents in the transmission cycle. This study expands the known distribution of the complex species in Europe and provides a reliable molecular tool for their identification, essential for further epidemiological investigations.

Tumbling pigeons are prone to oxidative stress and disruption of gut microbiota balance during long-term exercise training and competitions. Considering that (), as a natural plant feed additive, has natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut function improvement effects. This study investigates the effects of adding into health care sand on nutrient digestion and metabolism, serum parameters, and excreta microbiota metabolism in tumbler pigeons. Ninety 12-month-old tumbler pigeons were randomly assigned to three groups, with ten cages with three birds each. The CON Group received a basal diet added with 4 g of health care sand; Group TRT1 received a basal diet added with 4 g of health care sand containing 0.75% ; and Group TRT2 received a basal diet added with 4 g of health care sand containing 1.00% . The adaptation period lasted for 7 days, followed by a formal testing phase of 45 days. All tumbler pigeons received 1 h of flight training daily. The CON and TRT2 groups showed significantly increased dry matter (DM) apparent digestibility by 11.68% ( < 0.01) and 8.50% ( < 0.05), respectively, compared to the TRT1 group. The TRT2 group also demonstrated higher organic matter (OM) apparent digestibility (increase of 4.25%, < 0.05) and markedly improved crude protein (CP) digestibility (16.72% higher than CON, < 0.05; 27.12% higher than TRT1, < 0.01). Both gross energy (GE) and metabolizable energy (ME) digestibility were significantly elevated in CON and TRT2 groups compared to TRT1 ( < 0.01). Compared to the CON group, the TRT2 group showed a 19.86% decrease in lactate (LAC) level ( < 0.05) alongside a 38.91% increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity ( < 0.05). Serum uric acid (UA) levels increased by 33.65-36.14% in both treatment groups ( < 0.05). Antioxidant capacity markedly improved, with malondialdehyde (MDA) decreasing by up to 27.75% ( < 0.01) and key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) showing dose-dependent enhancements of up to 25.23% ( < 0.01). Other serum biochemical parameters showed no significant differences ( > 0.05). Microbial analysis demonstrated that Actinobacteriota, Acidothermaceae, and Nitrosotaleaceae were enriched in the TRT1 and TRT2 groups, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chitinophagaceae decreased ( > 0.05). Metabolomic analysis revealed a significant increase in beneficial metabolites, including agmatine, pyropheophorbide-a, and -acetylmuramate ( < 0.01). In conclusion, the addition of 1.00% in health care sand effectively enhanced apparent nutrient digestibility, improved antioxidant capacity, and modulated the intestinal microbiota and metabolic profile of tumbler.

Bovine mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, is recognized as the most prevalent disease in dairy cattle, leading to significant economic losses due to the reduction in quality and yield of milk. While antibiotic treatment remains to be the primary control method but their use of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and possesses potential health risks to consumers. Enhancement of host immune responses represents a promising alternative strategy for combating pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of metabolites derived from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells infected with , a causative agent of bovine mastitis. Notably, LAB-derived metabolites demonstrated significant, strain-specific immunostimulatory activity. A comparative metabolomic analysis confirmed that each strain possessed a unique metabolic profile, providing a chemical basis for these various responses. The most pronounced effects were observed with metabolites from the isolated strain , which markedly increased NO production. Furthermore, these metabolites upregulated the expression of key inflammatory genes, e.g., , , , and and enhanced the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2. These findings suggest that LAB metabolites, particularly those from , may offer a novel therapeutic approach for enhancing immune defenses against mastitis-causing pathogens.

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