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How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?

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A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 29725

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marisa P. Sárria

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Guest Editor

JRC Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy
Interests: current research lines of interest are at environmental toxicological perspective; from safety profiling of nano- and micro-scaled particles; including those plastic-sourced; understanding the impact

Dr. Dmitri Petrovykh

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Guest Editor

International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
Interests: biosensors; bioanalytics; biointerfaces; nanobiotechnology; surface analysis; nanomaterials; nanomedicine; biomaterials; nanotechnology; nanocharacterization; analytical chemistry

Dr. Andreia Gomes

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Guest Editor

1. Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Aquatic Research Network (ARNET) Associate Laboratory, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
2. Institute of Science and Innovation for Sustainability (IB-S), Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: controlled delivery system; liposomes; antioxidants; anti-inflammatory; sustainable production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Size-assorted plastic debris incidence is a clamant threat worldwide, even among the most remote biomes. In addition to their ubiquitous prevalence, a complex mixture of plastic fragments and differently sourced persistent toxicants (including those leached from plastic waste) occurs. Given their small size, these micro- and nanosized plastic particles can exert a major environmental risk, owing to the impact of their greater reactivity on the environment. Moreover, a superior surface-area-to-volume ratio makes them more susceptible to act as vectors of concomitant pollutants. A consequent unexpected environmental risk can thus arise, triggering a "Trojan Horse" effect. However, although submillimetre-sized plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) are prone to interacting with biomolecules, with the potential to cause a severe impact at the subcellular level (and thereby relevant ecological damages), available (eco)toxicological data on their associated effects on biointerfaces, either alone or combined with contaminants, are scarce. On the other hand, appropriate toxicity models and methods to assess their effects are still poorly investigated. In order to elucidate this interplay between the intrinsic characteristics of micro- and nanoplastics and their ensuing effects on different biomolecules, this Special Issue invites researchers to publish their advances in representative toxicity models and methods, which will enable the assembly of knowledge concerning environment-associated risks.

Dr. Marisa P. Sárria
Dr. Dmitri Y Petrovykh
Prof. Dr. Andreia Gomes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Micro/nanosized plastics
Environmental contaminants
Biointerfaces
Biomolecules
Ecotoxicity

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3130 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Hazard Assessment of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cells, Focusing on the Autophagic Effects

by Balasubramanyam Annangi, Aliro Villacorta, Montserrat López-Mesas, Victor Fuentes-Cebrian, Ricard Marcos and Alba Hernández

Biomolecules 2023, 13(2), 220; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom13020220 - 23 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2423

Abstract

The human health risks posed by micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs), as emerging pollutants of environmental/health concern, need to be urgently addressed as part of a needed hazard assessment. The routes of MNPL exposure in humans could mainly come from oral, inhalation, or dermal means. Among them, inhalation exposure to MNPLs is the least studied area, even though their widespread presence in the air is dramatically increasing. In this context, this study focused on the potential hazard of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPLs with sizes 50 and 500 nm) in human primary nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs), with the first line of cells acting as a physical and immune barrier in the respiratory system. Primarily, cellular internalization was evaluated by utilizing laboratory-labeled fluorescence PSNPLs with iDye, a commercial, pink-colored dye, using confocal microscopy, and found PSNPLs to be significantly internalized by HNEpCs. After, various cellular effects, such as the induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS), the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the modulation of the autophagy pathway in the form of the accumulation of autophagosomes (LC3-II) and p62 markers (a ubiquitin involved in the clearance of cell debris), were evaluated after cell exposure. The data demonstrated significant increases in iROS, a decrease in MMP, as well as a greater accumulation of LC3-II and p62 in the presence of PSNPLs. Notably, the autophagic effects did indicate the implications of PSNPLs in defective or insufficient autophagy. This is the first study showing the autophagy pathway as a possible target for PSNPL-induced adverse effects in HNEpCs. When taken together, this study proved the cellular effects of PSNPLs in HNEpCs and adds value to the existing studies as a part of the respiratory risk assessment of MNPLs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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11 pages, 1863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microplastic Effects on Thrombin–Fibrinogen Clotting Dynamics Measured via Turbidity and Thromboelastography

by Daniela Q. Tran, Nathan Stelflug, Abigail Hall, Tanmaye Nallan Chakravarthula and Nathan J. Alves

Biomolecules 2022, 12(12), 1864; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom12121864 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2027

Abstract

Micro/nanoplastics, whether manufactured or resulting from environmental degradation, can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal pathways. Previous research has found that nanoplastics with diameters of ≤100 nm can translocate into the circulatory system in a dose-dependent manner and potentially impact thrombosis and hemostasis. To investigate the direct effects of microplastics on fibrin clot formation, a simplified ex vivo human thrombin/fibrinogen clot model was utilized. The 100 nm polystyrene particles (non-functionalized [nPS] and aminated [aPS]) were preincubated (0–200 µg/mL) with either thrombin or fibrinogen, and fibrin clot formation was characterized via turbidity and thromboelastography (TEG). When the particles were preincubated with fibrinogen, little effect was observed for aPS or nPS on turbidity or TEG up through 100 µg/mL. TEG results demonstrated a significant impact on clot formation rate and strength, in the case of nPS preincubated with thrombin exhibiting a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect. In conclusion, the presence of microplastics can have inhibitory effects on fibrin clot formation that are dependent upon both particle surface charge and concentration. Negatively charged nPS exhibited the most significant impacts to clot strength, turbidity, and rate of fibrin formation when first incubated with thrombin, with its impact being greatly diminished when preincubated with fibrinogen in this simplified fibrin clot model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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11 pages, 1950 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Short-Term Exposure to Nanoplastics Does Not Affect Bisphenol A Embryotoxicity to Marine Ascidian Ciona robusta

by Emma Ferrari, Maria Concetta Eliso, Arianna Bellingeri, Ilaria Corsi and Antonietta Spagnuolo

Biomolecules 2022, 12(11), 1661; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom12111661 - 08 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1647

Abstract

Plastic pollution is recognized as a global environmental threat and concern is increasing regarding the potential interactions of the smallest fragments, nanoplastics (1 µm), with either physical and chemical entities encountered in the natural environment, including toxic pollutants. The smallest size of nanoplastics (<100 nm) rebounds to their safety associated with remarkable biological, chemical and physical reactivity that allow them to interact with cellular machinery by crossing biological barriers and causing damage to living beings. Recent findings on nanoplastic occurrence in marine coastal waters, including the Mediterranean Sea, leave open the question on their ability to act as a vector of other contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) concomitantly released by wastewater treatment plants and reaching marine coastal waters. Here, we assess for the first time the role of non-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs, 20 nm) as a proxy for nanoplastics (1 and 10 µg/mL) alone and in combination with bisphenol A (BPA) (4.5 and 10 µM) on Ciona robusta embryos (22 h post fertilization, hpf) by looking at embryotoxicity through phenotypic alterations. We confirmed the ability of BPA to impact ascidian C. robusta embryo development, by affecting sensory organs pigmentation, either alone and in combination with PS NPs. Our findings suggest that no interactions are taking place between PS NPs and BPA in filtered sea water (FSW) probably due to the high ionic strength of seawater able to trigger the sorption surface properties of PS NPs. Further studies are needed to elucidate such peculiarities and define the risk posed by combined exposure to BPA and PS NPs in marine coastal waters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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15 pages, 1454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the NLRP3 Inflammasome Activating Potential of a Large Panel of Micro- and Nanoplastics in THP-1 Cells

by Mathias Busch, Gerrit Bredeck, Friedrich Waag, Khosrow Rahimi, Haribaskar Ramachandran, Tobias Bessel, Stephan Barcikowski, Andreas Herrmann, Andrea Rossi and Roel P. F. Schins

Biomolecules 2022, 12(8), 1095; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom12081095 - 09 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2756

Abstract

Due to the ubiquity of environmental micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), inhalation and ingestion by humans is very likely, but human health effects remain largely unknown. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a key player of the innate immune system and is involved in responses towards foreign particulate matter and the development of chronic intestinal and respiratory inflammatory diseases. We established NLRP3-proficient and -deficient THP-1 cells as an alternative in vitro screening tool to assess the potential of MNPs to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. By investigating cytokine release (IL-1β and IL-8) and cytotoxicity after treatment with engineered nanomaterials, this in vitro approach was compared to earlier published ex vivo murine bone marrow-derived macrophages and in vivo data. This approach showed a strong correlation with previously published data, verifying that THP-1 cells are a suitable model to investigate NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We then investigated the proinflammatory potential of eight MNPs of different size, shape, and chemical composition. Only amine-modified polystyrene (PS-NH₂) acted as a direct NLRP3 activator. However, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and nylon (PA6) induced a significant increase in IL-8 release in NLRP3^−/− cells. Our results suggest that most MNPs are not direct activators of the NLRP3 inflammasome, but specific MNP types might still possess pro-inflammatory potential via other pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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16 pages, 2123 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Novel Analytical Approach to Assessing Sorption of Trace Organic Compounds into Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles

by Julia Reichel, Johanna Graßmann, Oliver Knoop, Thomas Letzel and Jörg E. Drewes

Biomolecules 2022, 12(7), 953; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom12070953 - 06 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2148

Abstract

Assessing the sorption of trace organic compounds (TOrCs) into micro- and nanoplastic particles has traditionally been performed using an aqueous phase analysis or solvent extractions from the particle. Using thermal extraction/desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-Pyr-GC/MS) offers a possibility to analyze the TOrCs directly from the particle without a long sample preparation. In this study, a combination of two analytical methods is demonstrated. First, the aqueous phase is quantified for TOrC concentrations using Gerstel Twister^® and TD-GC/MS. Subsequently, the TOrCs on the particles are analyzed. Different polymer types and sizes (polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), 48 µm; polyethylene (PE), 48 µm; polystyrene (PS), 41 µm; and PS, 78 nm) were analyzed for three selected TOrCs (phenanthrene, triclosan, and α-cypermethrin). The results revealed that, over a period of 48 h, the highest and fastest sorption occurred for PS 78 nm particles. This was confirmed with a theoretical calculation of the particle surface area. It was also shown for the first time that direct quantification of TOrCs from PS 78 nm nanoparticles is possible. Furthermore, in a mixed solute solution, the three selected TOrCs were sorbed onto the particles simultaneously. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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16 pages, 1428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Particle Size on Ecotoxicity of Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics, with and without Adsorbed Benzo-a-Pyrene, in Clam Scrobicularia plana

by Ana Rita Rodrigues, Nélia C. C. Mestre, Tainá Garcia da Fonseca, Paulo Z. Pedro, Camilla C. Carteny, Bettie Cormier, Steffen Keiter and Maria João Bebianno

Biomolecules 2022, 12(1), 78; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom12010078 - 05 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1754

Abstract

This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of differently sized (4–6 µm and 20–25 µm) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (MPs), with and without adsorbed benzo-a-pyrene (BaP), in clam Scrobicularia plana. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase—SOD; catalase—CAT), biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferases—GST), oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation—LPO) and neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase—AChE) were analysed in gills and digestive glands at different time intervals for a total of 14 days of exposure. In order to have a better impact perspective of these contaminants, an integrated biomarker response index (IBR) and Health Index were applied. Biomarker alterations are apparently more related to smaller sized (4–6 µm) MPs in gills and to virgin LDPE MPs in the digestive gland according to IBR results, while the digestive gland was more affected by these MPs according to the health index. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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17 pages, 3072 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Degradation of Poly(ε-caprolactone) by a Thermophilic Community and Brevibacillus thermoruber Strain 7 Isolated from Bulgarian Hot Spring

by Nikolina Atanasova, Tsvetelina Paunova-Krasteva, Stoyanka Stoitsova, Nadja Radchenkova, Ivanka Boyadzhieva, Kaloyan Petrov and Margarita Kambourova

Biomolecules 2021, 11(10), 1488; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11101488 - 09 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2145

Abstract

The continual plastic accumulation in the environment and the hazardous consequences determine the interest in thermophiles as possible effective plastic degraders, due to their unique metabolic mechanisms and change of plastic properties at elevated temperatures. PCL is one of major biodegradable plastics with promising application to replace existing non-biodegradable polymers. Metagenomic analysis of the phylogenetic diversity in plastic contaminated area of Marikostinovo hot spring, Bulgaria revealed a higher number taxonomic groups (11) in the sample enriched without plastic (Marikostinovo community, control sample, MKC-C) than in that enriched in the presence of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) (MKC-P), (7). A strong domination of the phylum Proteobacteria was observed for MKC-C, while the dominant phyla in MKC-P were Deinococcus-Thermus and Firmicutes. Among the strains isolated from MKC-P, the highest esterase activity was registered for Brevibacillus thermoruber strain 7 at 55 °C. Its co-cultivation with another isolate resulted in ~10% increase in enzyme activity. During a 28-day biodegradation process, a decrease in PCL molecular weight and weight loss were established resulting in 100% degradation by MKC-P and 63.6% by strain 7. PCL degradation intermediate profiles for MKC-P and pure strain were similar. Broken plastic pieces from PCL surface and formation of a biofilm by MKC-P were observed by SEM, while the pure strain caused significant deformation of PCL probes without biofilm formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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16 pages, 2893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells

by Josefa Domenech, Mariana de Britto, Antonia Velázquez, Susana Pastor, Alba Hernández, Ricard Marcos and Constanza Cortés

Biomolecules 2021, 11(10), 1442; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11101442 - 01 Oct 2021

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 4215

Abstract

The increasing presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) in the environment, and their consequent accumulation in trophic niches, could pose a potential health threat to humans, especially due to their chronic ingestion. In vitro studies using human cells are considered pertinent approaches to determine potential health risks to humans. Nevertheless, most of such studies have been conducted using short exposure times and high concentrations. Since human exposure to MNPLs is supposed to be chronic, there is a lack of information regarding the potential in vitro MNPLs effects under chronic exposure conditions. To this aim, we assessed the accumulation and potential outcomes of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs), as a model of MNPLs, in undifferentiated Caco-2 cells (as models of cell target in ingestion exposures) under a relevant long-term exposure scenario, consisting of eight weeks of exposure to sub-toxic PSNPs concentrations. In such exposure conditions, culture-media was changed every 2–3 days to maintain constant exposure. The different analyzed endpoints were cytotoxicity, dysregulation of stress-related genes, genotoxicity, oxidative DNA damage, and intracellular ROS levels. These are endpoints that showed to be sensitive enough in different studies. The obtained results attest that PSNPs accumulate in the cells through time, inducing changes at the ultrastructural and molecular levels. Nevertheless, minor changes in the different evaluated genotoxicity-related biomarkers were observed. This would indicate that no DNA damage or oxidative stress is observed in the human intestinal Caco-2 cells after long-term exposure to PSNPs. This is the first study dealing with the long-term effects of PSNPs on human cultured cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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18 pages, 4133 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Polystyrene Nanoplastics as Carriers of Metals. Interactions of Polystyrene Nanoparticles with Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Nitrate, and Their Effects on Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells

by Josefa Domenech, Constanza Cortés, Lourdes Vela, Ricard Marcos and Alba Hernández

Biomolecules 2021, 11(6), 859; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom11060859 - 09 Jun 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4381

Abstract

Environmental plastic wastes are continuously degraded to their micro and nanoforms. Since in the environment they coexist with other pollutants, it has been suggested that they could act as vectors transporting different toxic trace elements, such as metals. To confirm this, we have assessed the potential interactions between nanopolystyrene, as a model of nanoplastic debris, and silver compounds (silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate), as models of metal contaminant. Using TEM-EDX methodological approaches, we have been able to demonstrate metal sorption by nanopolystyrene. Furthermore, using Caco-2 cells and confocal microscopy, we have observed the co-localization of nanopolystyrene/nanosilver in different cellular compartments, including the cell nucleus. Although the internalization of these complexes showed no exacerbated cytotoxic effects, compared to the effects of each compound alone, the silver/nanopolystyrene complexes modulate the cell’s uptake of silver and slightly modify some harmful cellular effects of silver, such as the ability to induce genotoxic and oxidative DNA damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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Review

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20 pages, 1879 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plastic Interactions with Pollutants and Consequences to Aquatic Ecosystems: What We Know and What We Do Not Know

by Fernanda Cássio, Daniela Batista and Arunava Pradhan

Biomolecules 2022, 12(6), 798; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biom12060798 - 07 Jun 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4149

Abstract

Plastics are a group of synthetic materials made of organic polymers and some additives with special characteristics. Plastics have become part of our daily life due to their many applications and uses. However, inappropriately managed plastic waste has raised concern regarding their ecotoxicological and human health risks in the long term. Due to the non-biodegradable nature of plastics, their waste may take several thousands of years to partially degrade in natural environments. Plastic fragments/particles can be very minute in size and are mistaken easily for prey or food by aquatic organisms (e.g., invertebrates, fishes). The surface properties of plastic particles, including large surface area, functional groups, surface topography, point zero charge, influence the sorption of various contaminants, including heavy metals, oil spills, PAHs, PCBs and DDT. Despite the fact that the number of studies on the biological effects of plastic particles on biota and humans has been increasing in recent years, studies on mixtures of plastics and other chemical contaminants in the aquatic environment are still limited. This review aims to gather information about the main characteristics of plastic particles that allow different types of contaminants to adsorb on their surfaces, the consequences of this adsorption, and the interactions of plastic particles with aquatic biota. Additionally, some missing links and potential solutions are presented to boost more research on this topic and achieve a holistic view on the effects of micro- and nanoplastics to biological systems in aquatic environments. It is urgent to implement measures to deal with plastic pollution that include improving waste management, monitoring key plastic particles, their hotspots, and developing their assessment techniques, using alternative products, determining concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics and the contaminants in freshwater and marine food-species consumed by humans, applying clean-up and remediation strategies, and biodegradation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How Environmental Plastic Particles and Their Adsorbed Contaminants Interact with Biomolecules?)

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