United States

Background

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a rapid decrease in hearing ability, typically occurring in one ear. Treatments for ISSNHL are difficult to study as patients can recover hearing spontaneously, making it difficult to separate treatment effects from the natural course of the disease. Current first-line therapies are oral and intratympanic corticosteroids, yet the mechanisms underlying their benefit remain poorly understood. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has also emerged as a potential ISSNHL treatment, yet it is not clear if it offers benefits beyond steroids. This study assessed the effect of HBOT, in combination with corticosteroids, on hearing improvement following ISSNHL.

Methods

We analyzed data from the HBOT Registry, a global, multicenter collaboration that tracks outcomes of ISSNHL patients treated with HBOT across 33 institutions. In addition, we conducted a retrospective case series of selected ISSNHL patients at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, who received HBOT following corticosteroid therapy, to determine if there were cases that showed a benefit beyond steroids.

Results

HBOT Registry data showed that HBOT was associated with overall improvement in measured hearing thresholds (i.e., pure tone average across frequencies 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, and 4000Hz) among ISSNHL patients (n=256). Specifically, 41.02% of patients were found to have achieved clinically significant hearing recovery, defined as a ≥15 dB improvement in pure tone

average. The mean improvement in pure tone average following HBOT was 14.4 dB. Since most patients typically receive steroids prior to HBOT, this suggests an additional benefit from HBOT. In a retrospective case series conducted at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, we highlight 10 patients with complete audiometric data in which HBOT was associated with additional hearing recovery beyond that achieved with steroid treatment alone. This recovery was particularly apparent amongst low frequencies (i.e., 500-1000 Hz). This is a limited case series and additional study on the interaction between corticosteroid therapy and HBOT is warranted.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest HBOT improves hearing beyond what is achieved with corticosteroids in some individuals. Further controlled studies are needed to delineate the effects of spontaneous recovery, corticosteroids, and HBOT in ISSNHL.

AMA Research Challenge 2025 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

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Background
Hyper IgE Syndrome (HIES) is a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by elevated IgE levels, recurrent infections, and eczema. Diagnostic delays are common due to phenotypic variability and overlap with other inflammatory conditions. This case report aims to highlight diagnostic challenges in atypical HIES presentations and explore potential connections with hidradenitis suppurativa.

Case Presentation
We report a 30-year-old Caucasian female with Type I HIES who experienced a 12-year diagnostic delay from symptom onset to definitive diagnosis. Her clinical presentation began in infancy with oral thrush, chronic diarrhea, and severe eczema, progressing to recurrent skin abscesses during adolescence. She required multiple hospitalizations for incision and drainage of abscesses predominantly affecting bilateral breasts and right lower extremity. Significant complications included pneumonia with osteomyelitis (2020), ocular candidiasis with choroidal
involvement (2022), and a recent Candida glabrata lower extremity abscess (February 2025). The patient also experienced chronic perioral and periorbital dermatitis and approximately 30 episodes of otitis media throughout childhood. Initially misattributed to recurrent cellulitis (2008- 2018), the patient was later evaluated for hidradenitis suppurativa due to the anatomical distribution of abscesses in apocrine gland-rich areas. Immunological evaluation was finally initiated in 2020 following pneumonia with osteomyelitis. Laboratory investigations revealed
markedly elevated IgE levels (4,200 IU/mL; normal <100 IU/mL), while other immunoglobulin levels remained within normal limits. Genetic testing confirmed a heterozygous pathogenic STAT3 mutation (c.1144C>T, p.Arg382Trp), consistent with autosomal dominant HIES.

Discussion
Recent research suggests that some patients diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa may have underlying primary immunodeficiencies. This case provides evidence for this emerging connection through shared characteristics including anatomical predilection for apocrine gland- rich areas, chronic inflammatory processes with bacterial colonization, predominance of Staphylococcus aureus infections, and frequent treatment resistance. However, distinguishing
features include onset timing (HIES typically begins in infancy vs. HS post-puberty), systemic involvement (multisystem in HIES vs. primarily cutaneous in HS), and laboratory findings (markedly elevated IgE in HIES vs. normal in typical HS). The patient's STAT3 mutation affects the DNA-binding domain, resulting in dominant-negative effects on STAT3 function. This leads to impaired T-helper 17 cell differentiation, reduced IL-17 production, defective neutrophil
chemotaxis, and increased susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections. The immune dysfunction involves multiple pathways including defective Th17 responses, impaired neutrophil function, regulatory T-cell abnormalities, and defective antimicrobial peptide production. This case demonstrates that HIES presentations can be highly variable, and the absence of classical features should not preclude diagnosis.

Hyper IgE Syndrome with Atypical Presentation: Diagnostic Challenges and
Potential Links to Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Background: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) mimics acute coronary syndrome but typically occurs without obstructive coronary disease. Rare complications, such as acute ventricular septal defect (VSD), carry a poor prognosis.
Case Summary: An 83-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities presented with chest pain and dyspnea. Suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) led to coronary angiography, which confirmed TTC with acute VSD. Echocardiography revealed VSD and reduced ejection fraction (30–35%). An Impella CP device was placed within 2 hours, and urgent surgical VSD repair was performed within 32 hours. Postoperatively, Bi-Pella support optimized biventricular unloading.
Discussion: Acute VSD in TTC is rare and often fatal. Early mechanical circulatory support can stabilize patients and improve surgical outcomes. This case highlights the importance of prompt intervention in TTC-related VSD.
Take-Home Message: Early mechanical support and timely surgical intervention in TTC with VSD can be life-saving and improve outcomes.

Rescue of Acute VSD in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Bi-Pella Support's Role in High-Risk Recovery

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is a rare, benign hormonally-sensitive breast condition caused by an overgrowth of stromal myofibroblasts. These cells form slit-like spaces that mimic blood vessels but lack a true endothelial lining. While PASH is frequently an incidental histologic finding in breast biopsies, tumor-forming PASH is far less common, and involvement of the axilla is exceedingly rare. Fewer than a dozen cases of axillary PASH have been documented in the literature thus far.

We report the case of a woman in her 20’s who presented to our clinic with a progressively enlarging, slightly tender mass in the lower right axilla that had been present for over a year. She denied a history of hormonal therapy, oral contraceptive use, or family history of breast cancer. Physical examination revealed a firm, mobile, protuberant mass without overlying skin changes or palpable lymphadenopathy. Breast ultrasound demonstrated a well-circumscribed, hypoechoic mass without internal vascularity. Core needle biopsy revealed a benign stromal proliferation composed of bland spindle cells forming slit-like spaces, and the patient subsequently underwent surgical excision due to continued tumor growth and discomfort.

Histopathologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of PASH, showing dense collagenous stroma and characteristic pseudoangiomatous channels without cytologic atypia. Immunohistochemical staining for CD4, vimentin, and smooth muscle actin supported the diagnosis. At six-month follow-up, the patient has shown no evidence of recurrence.

This case highlights a rare presentation of PASH in the axillary tail of the breast, where it clinically mimicked a protuberant lipoma. Although rare, PASH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of axillary soft tissue masses in hormonally active women. Accurate diagnosis relies on correlating imaging findings with histologic and immunohistochemical features, to help distinguish PASH from low-grade angiosarcoma. Given its benign behavior, surgical excision is typically reserved for symptomatic or enlarging lesions. Awareness of this entity is essential for clinicians and pathologists to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary aggressive treatment.

Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia Presenting as a Protuberant Axillary Tumor

Abstract Title

Paraneoplastic Hypercalcemia as the Initial Presentation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient with Alcoholic Cirrhosis
Authors :
Isha Gupta , MD Muhammad Usman , MD
Mayur Ravjibhai Kaklotar , MBBS Suriya Shan , MD

Background

Hypercalcemia is a serious metabolic disturbance that can serve as a paraneoplastic manifestation of malignancy. While commonly associated with squamous cell, renal, and breast cancers, hypercalcemia in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare but clinically important. One key mechanism is PTH-related peptide (PTHrP)-mediated hypercalcemia, where tumor cells secrete PTHrP, mimicking parathyroid hormone and causing increased bone resorption and renal calcium retention.

In patients with cirrhosis or other chronic liver diseases, symptoms such as fatigue or weakness are often nonspecific and attributed to hepatic dysfunction. However, the presence of unexplained hypercalcemia, especially without bone metastases or supplement use, should prompt evaluation for an underlying malignancy. Though uncommon, PTHrP-producing HCC can be the initial presentation of liver cancer.
Recognizing this paraneoplastic syndrome is essential for timely diagnosis and management, particularly in patients with known risk factors such as alcohol-related cirrhosis.


Case Presentation

A 55-year-old male with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and a history of heavy alcohol use (abstinent for three years) presented with progressive weakness over two weeks. Initial labs showed marked hypercalcemia (15.6 mg/dL) without supplement use. He was treated with intravenous fluids and calcitonin, reducing calcium to 10.3 mg/dL. Additional labs revealed elevated AST and ALP, hypoalbuminemia (2.5 g/dL), and mild anemia. Viral hepatitis markers were negative. A pan-CT showed no evidence of metastases. MRI abdomen revealed cirrhosis with multiple LIRADS-5 lesions showing arterial enhancement with washout, suggestive of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bone scan was negative for metastases. PTH-related peptide

was elevated (6.0 pmol/L) with a non-elevated intact PTH, consistent with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. The final diagnosis was PTHrP-mediated paraneoplastic hypercalcemia secondary to HCC in the setting of cirrhosis. The patient was discharged after stabilisation and advised to follow up with oncology for further evaluation and management.


Discussion

Hypercalcemia is rare in compensated cirrhosis, but when present without a clear cause, it may indicate an underlying malignancy such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In fewer than 5% of HCC cases, paraneoplastic hypercalcemia occurs due to PTHrP secretion. Routine calcium monitoring in patients with heavy alcohol use may aid in early detection of serious complications like HCC.

References : 
1. Hu MI, Glezerman IG, Leboulleux S, Insogna K, Gucalp R, Misiorowski W. Advanced therapies for hypercalcemia of malignancy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1039490. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1039490
2. Alameri HF, Abdel-Rahman ME, Guturu P. Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy as a presenting manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and literature review. HPB (Oxford). 2024;26(9):1321-1324. doi:10.1016/j.hpb.2024.06.009
3. Chen S, Li J, Zhang J, et al. Paraneoplastic syndromes in hepatocellular carcinoma: recent advances and clinical implications. World J Clin Cases. 2024;12(5):856-867. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v12.i5.856
4. Rahman M, Alqahtani S, Farghaly M, et al. Paraneoplastic hypercalcemia due to hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature. Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23978. doi:10.7759/cureus.23978
5. Mirrakhimov AE. Hypercalcemia of malignancy: an update on pathogenesis and management. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(5):2024-2034. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-100


Paraneoplastic Hypercalcemia as the Initial Presentation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma ina Patient with Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Background: Efforts to expand patient portal use across the country, while well-intentioned, may inadvertently widen health inequities by failing to address the distinct challenges faced by marginalized populations. Safety-net clinics, which serve those most at risk for health disparities, continue to report low portal adoption, suggesting that drivers of engagement differ fundamentally from national trends. This mixed-methods study wants to moves beyond documenting disparities and instead identify context-specific patient profiles that explain barriers to portal adoption. We aimed to (1) identify distinct patient subgroups influenced by local barriers using clustering analysis, (2) use qualitative data to characterize these profiles, and (3) evaluate whether national models adequately predict portal use in this context. 
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study at a student-run free clinic that primarily serves Spanish-speaking, uninsured Latine patients. A total of 112 patients completed surveys assessing portal use and confidence in managing health information, and 42 providers shared perspectives on implementation. Patient profiles were identified using K-means clustering, and 11 semi-structured interviews added nuance and context from patient voices. To assess generalizability, findings were compared with national data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS6; n=6,252).
Results: Portal adoption in our clinic was 22.3%, less than half the national rate of 58%. Our primary analysis identified four distinct patient profiles: “Healthcare Engaged” (high confidence, high use), “Digitally Disengaged” (low confidence, low use), “Information Access Challenged” (engaged but struggling with usability), and “System Navigators” (moderately engaged). Qualitative interviews highlighted that engagement patterns were shaped primarily by usability challenges and trust, not by deficits in health literacy. A predictive model based on local behavioral data performed no better than chance (Area Under the Curve [AUC] = 0.47). In contrast, the same model applied to national HINTS6 data was highly predictive (AUC = 0.93), underscoring that drivers of portal use locally are fundamentally different.
Conclusion: Patient portal adoption in safety-net settings is shaped by local barriers, especially those related to usability and trust, that are not captured by national datasets. Our findings illustrate how models built on national predictors, though effective at the population level, may fail to account for the specific challenges faced by underserved communities. By identifying distinct patient subgroups through mixed-methods analysis, we provide a practical framework that healthcare organizations can use to design more equitable and targeted digital health strategies.

Patient Portal Adoption in Underserved Communities: A Mixed-Methods Study

Background
The American Society of Hematology, through the Choosing Wisely campaign, advises against inpatient thrombophilia testing for adult patients with acute thrombotic events. In this setting, hypercoagulable panels frequently yield false-positive results and rarely influence immediate management. An exception can be made for patients with high clinical suspicion for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), such as those with recurrent pregnancy loss or underlying autoimmune disease, where test results may change anticoagulation decisions to the use of warfarin. Despite these guidelines, inappropriate testing remains common. This study examines the utilization of inpatient thrombophilia testing and associated financial costs in a quaternary care hospital.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective review of adult inpatients admitted between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2024, with one of the following ICD-10 codes: I81 (portal vein thrombosis), I82 (other venous embolism and thrombosis), I26 (pulmonary embolism), I74 (arterial embolism and thrombosis), and I63 (cerebral infarction). Patients with arterial thrombosis secondary to myocardial infarction were excluded. Demographic variables included age, sex, smoking status, contraceptive use, and active cancer diagnosis. Antiphospholipid antibody testing included beta-2 glycoprotein antibodies, cardiolipin antibodies, dilute Russell’s viper venom time, hexagonal phase phospholipid antibody, and phosphatidylserine antibodies. Inherited thrombophilia testing included antithrombin antigen and activity, protein C and S activity, Factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutation and activated protein C resistance. Additional testing included JAK2 mutation analysis, calreticulin mutation analysis, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria flow cytometry. Cost analysis was performed using MATLAB.

Results
Among 2,287 hospitalizations meeting inclusion criteria, 271 patient encounters involved thrombophilia testing. Of those tested, 137 were female and 134 were male. Fifty-three patients were active smokers, 18 had an active cancer diagnosis, and 10 were receiving estrogen therapy. Fifty-one patient encounters met accepted criteria for testing in the setting of arterial thrombosis in patients under age 50. In contrast, 78 patients underwent testing that did not meet these criteria. Other patients meeting criteria include seven patients with thrombosis in unusual locations (portal vein or cerebral venous sinuses), and five with recurrent venous thromboembolism. The estimated cost of appropriately indicated testing was $9,416, while inappropriate testing accounted for $92,090.

Conclusion
These findings highlight significant overuse of inpatient thrombophilia testing, resulting in unnecessary healthcare costs. As a quality improvement initiative, our institution plans to restrict ordering of inpatient inherited thrombophilia testing to providers affiliated with the hematology department. This targeted intervention supports efforts to increase high-value care and promote guideline-concordant practice.


Retrospective Review of Inpatient Thrombophilia Testing in a Tertiary Hospital, 2022–2024

Impact of an Anatomy Lab-based Workshop on Preclinical Medical Student Interest
Background

There is a significant global shortage of neurologists. With an aging population and increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, the consequences of this shortage are expected to worsen, including reduced access to care and increased physician workload. Medical students are not always required to complete a neurology clerkship prior to applying for residency, so early preclinical exposure is critical to promoting interest in neurology. Since preclinical students are often given minimal interactive experience with neurology, students rely on extracurricular interest group-led activities to generate and gauge interest. Educational workshops focused on neurological procedures can provide preclinical students with hands-on exposure to neurology and facilitate early interest in the specialty to help address the physician shortage in the long-term.

Methods
Thirty preclinical students at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine took part in an anatomical donor-based workshop organized by the Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN) and Neurosurgery Interest Group (NSIG). The workshop consisted of a ventriculostomy simulation followed by group-led teaching of different neurological pathologies using post-mortem brain specimens. Surveys quantifying preclinical students’ interest in applying to neurology residency on a 5-point Likert scale were completed before and after the workshop. Changes in interest were analyzed using a two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired samples. Students also completed survey questions assessing how much they believe extracurricular opportunities shape their interest and knowledge of different specialty choices.

Results
Among the 30 preclinical students surveyed, the average interest in neurology on a five- point Likert scale showed a significant increase from 2.9 pre-workshop to 3.6 post- workshop (W=131.0, p = 0.0009). In a qualitative exit survey, students identified extracurricular activities as important in shaping their interest (3.8 ± 1.0) and knowledge (3.7 ± 1.2) of medical specialties.

Conclusion
We observed a significant increase in neurology interest among preclinical students after this anatomical donor-based workshop. Moreover, preclinical students reported that workshops like these are useful for learning about medical specialties in practice. Preclinical activities like this workshop could therefore help to address a worsening shortage of neurologists by promoting earlier exposure and interest in the field.

Impact of an Anatomy Lab-Based Workshop on Preclinical Medical Student Interest in Neurology


OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the subjective efficacy of a cadaveric nephrostomy access model for improving training and increasing educational opportunities for radiology residents interested in Interventional Radiology. 
DESIGN: A cadaveric torso was dissected and prepared in advance for the session, ensuring a realistic and effective learning environment. Residents interested in interventional radiology were recruited to participate in the simulation. Each resident was allotted 20 minutes to perform the nephrostomy tube access under ultrasound and fluoroscopy with the supervision of a certified interventional radiologist with 10 years of experience. The study included pre- and post-simulation surveys to evaluate the training's impact on various subjective outcomes. Participants rated their responses using a defined 1-5 scale in all surveys.
RESULTS: A total of seven residents participated, and the pre- and post- survey response rate was 100%. PGY 2-7 residents participated in the simulation. Regarding content validity, participants rated all aspects of the simulation as either a 4 or 5 on the 5-point scale. Respondents held a positive view of cadaver sessions and believed them to be useful for learning anatomy (mean = 5) and found that the experience boosted their confidence in ability to do the procedure (mean = 5). Furthermore, it was thought that the training session significantly improved skills (mean = 4.86), gave transferable skills for the IR suite (mean = 5), and was feasible to incorporate into further training programs (mean = 5). 
CONCLUSIONS: This study on cadaveric simulation training demonstrated content validity. It also showed feasibility, acceptability, a high value for educational influence and cost-effectiveness for cadaveric simulation. 


Simulation Based Education in IR: A Cadaveric Model for Nephrostomy Tube Insertion

Abstract Title
Addressing North Lawndale’s HIV Disparities: An Inequality-Based Public Health Disaster
Background
Major discrepancies still exist in historically marginalized areas despite national progress in HIV prevention and treatment. A primarily Black neighborhood on Chicago's West Side, North Lawndale has one of the highest rates of new infection with HIV and prevalence in the city. This study investigates how HIV disparities in North Lawndale are impacted by systemic racism, social variables of health, and systematic policy neglect. It looks at how barriers to prevention and treatment, such as the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and linkage to antiretroviral medicine, are shaped by uneasy housing, economic hardship, and healthcare inaccessibility.
Methods
Using a multidisciplinary public health framework, this research integrates
epidemiological data, policy analysis, and community health profiles to assess how historical disinvestment and stigma exacerbate HIV outcomes.
Results
Findings reveal that North Lawndale's HIV prevalence (842.1 per 100,000) and new
diagnoses (74.7 per 100,000) far exceed city averages, underscoring the urgency for
equity-centered intervention. Additionally, the neighborhood reports higher rates of mental distress and lower levels of educational attainment and economic opportunity—factors that directly influence health-seeking behavior and treatment adherence.
Conclusion
The research suggests a three-pronged public health strategy to tackle these disparities: boosting spending on anti-stigma education and policy advocacy; enhancing community-led HIV testing and care linkage initiatives; and increasing access to PrEP through pharmacy-based strategies. The recommended therapies place an emphasis on providing care that is culturally appropriate and fostering confidence in the community, and they are patterned after scientific methods from places like New York and San Francisco. 
This study comes to the conclusion that a strategic policy change from individual-focused care to systemic transformation is necessary to lower the prevalence of HIV in North Lawndale. The results highlight the necessity of broad approaches that take eliminated people' social reality into account. Future public health policies on HIV prevention in impoverished urban areas can be influenced by the execution of such focused policies, which can promote equitable health outcomes.

Addressing North Lawndale’s HIV Disparities: An Inequality-Based Public Health Disaster

Introduction 
As the USMLE Step 1 exam transitioned to pass/fail, narrative assessments have become an increasingly important factor in differentiating residency candidates. Studies have consistently shown that narrative assessments often contain bias that disproportionately affect students from underrepresented backgrounds. These narrative assessments may impact competitiveness for residency positions and limit career opportunities. Few faculty development resources exist to help recognize and mitigate bias. This project aims to implement a faculty development workshop on improving the quality of narrative evaluations. A secondary objective will evaluate if differences in faculty characteristics affect perceived confidence gains after training.

Methodology 
This AMA ChangeMedEd grant project utilized a faculty development session in April 2025 led by curricular leaders in the Office of Medical Student Education. There were 78 participants which included clerkship directors and clinical preceptors with previous experience in writing student evaluations.

Major components of the workshop included review of data regarding biased language in narrative evaluations, introduction of a structured framework, and interactive application exercises. A retrospective pre-post survey was offered after the session with confidence categories rated by a 5-point Likert scale. The survey remained active for ~ 1 week to allow asynchronous completion. An in-house evaluation consultancy utilized descriptive statistics to analyze average change in self-reported confidence before and after the training by role, rank, and years of experience. 


Results 
Of 78 participants, 41 began the survey (53% initiation rate), and 13 completed it (17% completion rate). The Dean role had the highest average years of experience in their position (10 years) and in medical education (30+ years). The Clinical course director role had the lowest average years of experience for position (4 years) and medical education (4 years). Highest confidence gains were reported in Assistant professors (+0.50), Department medical directors (+0.47), and Phase leaders (+0.46), while Deans and Associate professors had the smallest confidence change (+0.08).

Conclusion/Significance 
Our results suggest that some faculty with less experience may be less anchored in routine and more open to change their evaluation writing style. Faculty with more years in medical education and position had smaller shifts, which may represent familiarity or less perceived need to change. Future directions should explore options for tailoring workshops based on participant years of experience. Identifying these strategies may help streamline workflow for busy clinicians while also maximizing competency-based narrative assessments that showcase students’ strengths.



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Hyper IgE Syndrome with Atypical Presentation: Diagnostic Challenges and Potential Links to Hidradenitis Suppurativa

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