Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pharmacy for November 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Three Meds Equal as Second-Line Therapy for Status Epilepticus
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Levetiracetam, fosphenytoin, and valproate are equally effective in children and adults for the treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory convulsive status epilepticus, according to a study published in the Nov. 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Continuous PPI Use May Increase Risk for Acute Gastroenteritis
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Continuous use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is associated with an increased risk for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) during winter epidemic periods with peak circulation of enteric viruses, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in JAMA Network Open.
Exposure to Psychoactive Substances Up From 2000 to 2017
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2017, the overall rate of exposure to psychoactive substances of natural origin increased, according to a study published online Nov. 25 in Clinical Toxicology.
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Diet Pill, Laxative Use in Women Tied to Later Eating Disorder Dx
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Diet pill and laxative use for weight control are associated with increased odds of subsequent first eating disorder diagnosis, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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U.S. Adults With ASCVD Report Skipping Meds Due to Costs
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 12 percent of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) report nonadherence to medications due to costs, according to a study published online Nov. 25 in Circulation.
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U.S. Life Expectancy Dropped Since 2014 for Working-Age Adults
TUESDAY, Nov. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. life expectancy increased from 1959 to 2016 but has been decreasing since 2014, according to research published in the Nov. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Dermatologists Issue Consensus Guideline for Opioid Prescribing
TUESDAY, Nov. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In an expert panel consensus, published online Nov. 12 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, opioid-prescribing guidelines are presented for common dermatologic procedures.
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Alarm Settings of CGM Systems Impact Glucose Control in T1DM
TUESDAY, Nov. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adjusting glucose thresholds for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia alarms in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can help achieve better glucose control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
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Taking Multiple Fracture-Linked Meds Ups Risk for Hip Fracture
TUESDAY, Nov. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The addition of a second and third fracture-associated drug (FAD) is associated with an increase in hip fracture risk, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in JAMA Network Open.
Polio Vaccines Causing Polio Cases
MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More children worldwide are being paralyzed by polio viruses from vaccines than from viruses in the wild, according to new data.
AP News Article
More Information: WHO
Maternal Efavirenz May Up Risk for Microcephaly Among Offspring
MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In utero exposure to efavirenz is associated with an increased risk for microcephaly among children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected, according to a study published online Nov. 15 in The Lancet HIV.
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Risk for Skin Infections, Diabetes Increase With Statin Use
MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Using statins for as short a time as three months can put patients at risk for developing diabetes and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), according to a study published in the November issue of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
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Endocrine Therapy Lowers QOL for Breast Cancer Patients
MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Endocrine therapy reduces the quality of life of breast cancer patients, especially for postmenopausal women, according to a study recently published in the Annals of Oncology.
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Testosterone Replacement May Benefit Younger Male Cancer Survivors
FRIDAY, Nov. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Testosterone replacement is associated with an improvement in body composition among younger male cancer survivors with low-normal morning total serum testosterone, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in PLOS Medicine.
CDC: PCV13 No Longer Routinely Recommended for Adults ≥65
THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is no longer recommended for routine use among adults aged ≥65 years, according to research published in the Nov. 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
New Medicare Online Drug Plan Finder Might Lead to Higher Cost
THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The newly overhauled Medicare prescription plan finder can direct unsuspecting users to coverage that is much more expensive than necessary, experts say.
Recommendations Developed for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a new clinical practice guideline, published online Nov. 15 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, recommendations are presented for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
Employee Premiums, Deductibles Eating Larger Share of Income
THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — During the last decade, health care costs have eaten up a larger share of income for millions of middle-class Americans with employer coverage, according to Trends in Employer Health Care Coverage, 2008-2018, a Nov. 21 report from The Commonwealth Fund.
Number of Pregnant Women Taking Antidepressants Down
THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There has been a significant decrease in the use of antidepressants by pregnant women in Denmark, with consumption falling by more than 33 percent since 2011, according to a study published in the November issue of Brain and Behavior.
Prenatal Antidepressant Use May Up Risk for Gestational Diabetes
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Taking certain antidepressants while pregnant can increase the risk for developing gestational diabetes, according to a study recently published in The BMJ.
~25 Percent of Adolescents, Young Adults Use Rx Opioids
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prescription opioid use among teens and young adults is higher than expected, with most obtaining the drugs from friends and family, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in PLOS Medicine.
Statin Use Not Linked to Rate of Cognitive Decline in Seniors
TUESDAY, Nov. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Statin therapy is not associated with increased decline in memory or cognition among older adults, according to a study published in the Nov. 26 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Ubrogepant Superior to Placebo for Migraine Pain Relief
TUESDAY, Nov. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Acute treatment of migraine with ubrogepant leads to significantly greater rates of pain freedom at two hours than placebo, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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AMA, AHA Support Refresher Training for Measuring Blood Pressure
TUESDAY, Nov. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Health care professionals (HCPs) should receive consistent and frequent training in measuring blood pressure (BP), according to a report prepared for the American Medical Association and the American Heart Association and released Nov. 18.
Distribution of Self-Test Kits Can Up HIV Awareness
TUESDAY, Nov. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Distribution of HIV self-tests among men who have sex with men (MSM) can increase testing and newly identified infections, according to a study published online Nov. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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VA, DoD Update Guideline for Rehabilitation After Stroke
TUESDAY, Nov. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a systematic review and clinical practice guideline, published online Nov. 19 in Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense are presented for stroke rehabilitation and nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments for motor deficits and mood disorders in adults who have had stroke.
The Management of Stroke Rehabilitation
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AAP: Emergency Contraception Should be Given to Sexually Active Teens
TUESDAY, Nov. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pediatricians should provide emergency contraception (EC) to teenagers who have had unprotected or underprotected intercourse, according to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics published online Nov. 18 in Pediatrics.
Bipartisan Bill to Curb Drug Costs Backed by White House
MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A bipartisan Senate bill that would curb prescription drug costs is being backed by the Trump administration as a new poll shows that many Americans think the White House has done little to tackle the issue.
White House Wants Hospitals, Insurers to Provide Actual Costs of Care
MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — New rules requiring hospitals and insurers to disclose the actual prices for common tests and procedures before they are performed have been proposed by the Trump Administration.
Studies Confirm Safety of 9-Valent HPV Vaccination
MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The safety of the 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine (9vHPV) has been confirmed, according to two studies published online Nov. 18 in Pediatrics.
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Common TB Vaccine Associated With Lower Lung Cancer Rates
MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Childhood vaccination with the bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in JAMA Network Open.
FDA Panel: Expand Use of Fish Oil Drug Vascepa
FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Approved use of the prescription-strength fish oil drug Vascepa should be widened to include more patients at risk for heart attack and stroke, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended Thursday.
FDA Sends Warning Letter About OTC Drugs to Dollar Tree
FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dollar Tree has been sent a warning letter for selling over-the-counter (OTC) drugs made by foreign companies with serious, multiple violations of federal manufacturing laws, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
CNN Article
More Information: FDA
Risk for Disability Worsening Increased for MS With Comorbid Depression
FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for disability worsening is increased for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and comorbid depression, according to a study published online Nov. 8 in Neurology.
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Some Progress Made in Slowing Antibiotic Resistance-Linked Deaths
FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Progress has been made in slowing antibiotic resistance-associated deaths, but more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur each year in the United States, according to a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States 2019
Treatment Response Rates High for Seniors With Hep C Infection
FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, sustained viral response (SVR) rates are similar for those aged 65 years and older and those younger than 65, according to a study published online Oct. 24 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
About 2.7 Million ED Visits Reported for Sports Injuries in 2010 to 2016
FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — About 2.7 million emergency department visits for sports injuries occurred during 2010 to 2016, according to a study published online Nov. 15 in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pembrolizumab Prolongs Survival in Advanced Head, Neck Cancer
FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab prolongs survival in patients with certain head and neck cancers, according to a phase 3 study published online Oct. 31 in The Lancet.
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WHO to Test, Approve Generic Insulin
THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Testing and approval of generic insulin will be conducted by the World Health Organization in an attempt to combat rising prices and shortages of the drug.
First Ebola Vaccine Approved by European Commission
THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The world’s first Ebola vaccine has been approved by the European Commission, and it was quickly prequalified by the World Health Organization.
Secondary Surgical Cytoreduction Not Superior in Ovarian Cancer
THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, secondary surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy does not result in longer overall survival than chemotherapy alone, according to a study published in the Nov. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Few Women With Chronic Health Issues Use Reliable Birth Control
THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — One in three women of reproductive age have a chronic condition that could compromise their health or lead to adverse outcomes during pregnancy, yet few use the most effective forms of contraception, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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More Hospital Days Seen With Antipsychotic Use in Alzheimer Disease
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Alzheimer disease patients who initiate treatment with antipsychotic medications spend more days hospitalized than those who do not initiate antipsychotics, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.
Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients Often Undervaccinated
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many pediatric liver transplant recipients are undervaccinated, according to a research letter published in the Nov. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Patient, Graft Survival Excellent for Twin Kidney Transplant
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among identical-twin kidney transplants, patient and kidney graft survival rates are excellent, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
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Cholesterol Levels Have Been Dropping Since 2013 Guidelines
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of guidelines for lipid management in 2013 correlated with a reduction in mean total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, according to research published in the Nov. 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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MENACTRIMS Guidelines for Multiple Sclerosis Updated
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a revised 2019 guideline, published in the January 2020 issue of Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, updated recommendations from the Middle East North Africa Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (MENACTRIMS) are presented for the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Testosterone Therapy Tied to Increase in Short-Term VTE Risk
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For men with and without hypogonadism, testosterone therapy is associated with an increased short-term risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a study published online Nov. 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Patients With Cirrhosis Have Considerable Financial Burden
FRIDAY, Nov. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The considerable financial burden of cirrhosis medical care is associated with lower surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to a study presented at The Liver Meeting, the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, held from Nov. 8 to 12 in Boston.
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PSA Levels No Different With Exposure to Antidiabetes Meds
THURSDAY, Nov. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Men exposed to antidiabetic medications do not have different prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and prostate cancer detection rates at biopsy do not differ regardless of trigger PSA levels, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in JAMA Network Open.
Lenalidomide Delays Progression in Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
THURSDAY, Nov. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Lenalidomide significantly delays progression to symptomatic multiple myeloma in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Tx Choice for T2DM in Obese Teens Tied to Later Kidney Disease Risk
THURSDAY, Nov. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For severely obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2D), medical therapy is associated with increased odds of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) at five years compared with metabolic bariatric surgery, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Diabetes Care.
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Ibuprofen Does Not Increase Postpartum Blood Pressure
THURSDAY, Nov. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, do not increase blood pressure among postpartum women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Few Eligible Patients Receive Rx for Weight-Loss Medications
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Few eligible patients receive prescriptions for weight-loss medications, according to a study published online Oct. 11 in Obesity.
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FDA: Biotin Supplements Could Affect Results of Medical Tests
TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Biotin supplements can interfere with the results of some critical lab tests, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday.
Poll: Many Seniors Do Not Follow Instructions Related to Antibiotics
TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many older adults do not follow instructions related to antibiotic use, according to a report published online Nov. 4 based on the results of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.
Low-Intensity Warfarin Not Noninferior in Hip, Knee Surgery
TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among older patients undergoing hip or knee replacement, low-intensity compared with standard-intensity warfarin prophylaxis did not meet the noninferiority criterion for the composite outcome of risk for venous thromboembolism or death, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Number of Cancer Patients Using Gabapentinoids Up Since 2005
TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Between 2005 and 2015, there was a more than twofold increase in the percentage of adults with cancer using gabapentinoids, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in Supportive Care in Cancer.
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Effect of Legislation on School Vaccination Rates May Be Limited
TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Assuming the current rates of medical exemptions persist, the overall exemption rate in California schools is expected to stabilize at 1.87 percent by 2027, according to a research letter published online Nov. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Seriously Ill Medicare Beneficiaries Face Financial Hardship
MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Seriously ill Medicare enrollees experience considerable financial distress, according to a report published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
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Dr. Stephen Hahn Nominated to Head FDA
MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Radiation oncology expert Stephen Hahn, M.D., has been nominated as the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner.
Religious Exemption Rate for Vaccination Up in 2017 to 2018
MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The rate of religious exemptions for vaccination among kindergartners is associated with the availability of personal belief exemptions, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Pediatrics.
One in Three Young Adults Get Meds for Opioid Use Disorder After Overdose
MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — One in three young adults receive medication for opioid use disorder in the 12 months after surviving an overdose, according to a study published online Oct. 4 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
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FDA Committee: Makena Should Be Removed From Market
FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Makena, a drug used to reduce the risk for preterm births, should be taken off the U.S. market, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee recommends. The 9-to-7 vote in favor of withdrawing approval of the drug came in response to evidence suggesting it is not effective, CNN reported. Although not required to, the FDA often follows the advice of its advisory committees.
CNN Article
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Pain Control Adequate With Fewer Opioids After Corneal Surgery
FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients undergoing corneal surgery and receiving fewer opioid tablets still have adequate pain control, according to a study published online Oct. 31 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
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Increase Seen in Opioid-, Synthetic Opioid-Involved OD Deaths
FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2015 to 2017, there were increases in opioid-involved and synthetic opioid-involved overdose drug rates in nearly all racial/ethnic groups, according to research published in the Nov. 1 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Risk for Birth Defects Not Increased With Adalimumab
FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adalimumab exposure in pregnancy does not increase the risk for birth defects, according to a study published online Oct. 18 in PLOS ONE.
Equivalence Seen Between Drug Classes for HTN Monotherapy
FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most estimates show no differences in effectiveness between classes of antihypertensive agents, according to a systematic, multinational, large-scale analysis published online Oct. 24 in The Lancet.
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