Category: Acidity/ Heartburn

April 7, 2023

Understanding Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

ABSTRACT

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease that usually appears in adulthood. Heart disease includes many heart problems which means it includes heart and blood vessel disease. The heart is a muscular organ which pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. In humans, the size of the heart is approximately the size of a fist which is located between the lungs in the middle compartment of the chest. Usually, the heart is divided into four chambers: upper left and right atria and lower left and right ventricles.

In a healthy heart, blood flows one way through the heart due to heart valves which prevent backflow. The walls of the heart are made up of three layers epicardium, myocardium and endocardium. The deoxygenated blood enters the heart through the right atrium from the superior and inferior vena cava and further passes to the right ventricle. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death. It is situated in the mediastinum at the level of T5-T8, a double membrane sc known as pericardium surrounds the heart and attaches to the mediastinum. An adult heart has a mass of 250-350 gm. The fibrous cardiac skeleton gives the structure to the heart and the cardiac skeleton provides the boundary in the heart’s electrical conduction system. In this article, we are going to discuss the causes, symptoms and ayurvedic management of ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy).

INTRODUCTION

ARVC (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy) is a disorder of the myocardium which is the muscular layer of the heart. This condition causes the part of the myocardium to break down and increases the risk of abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) and causes sudden death. It is known as Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), which is inherited heart disease. It can be found in association with diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma and wooly hair which is an autosomal recessive condition known as Naxos disease. It is predominantly seen in males, 30-50% have familial distribution. The main clinical hallmark of this disease is ventricular arrhythmias which is arising from the right ventricle. The fatty fibrous tissue replaces the normal heart muscle which interrupts the normal signals in the heart and causes an irregular and life-threatening heart rhythm. Usually begins in the right ventricle (as the right ventricle stretches out and becomes thin and poorly contracts)  but after some time affects the left ventricle, so there is irregular heart pumping so blood backs up in the circulatory system which causes the fluid to build up in the soft tissues and sometimes in the lungs which further causes oedema and shortness of breath and results in heart failure. ARVC is a rare genetic disease which shows symptoms between the age of 10-50 years of age.

ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY

PATHOGENESIS

The cause is unknown, but apoptosis (cell death) plays an important role. This disease starts in the subepicardial region and moves towards the endocardial surface which leads to transmural involvement.  There are 2 pathological patterns which are seen in ACM/ARVC- Fatty infiltration and fibro-fatty filtration.

  1. Fatty infiltration-
  2. It is confined to the right ventricle and involves a partial and near complete substitution of the myocardium with fatty tissue without thinning of the walls.
  3. There is evidence of myocyte degeneration and death is seen in 50% of fatty infiltration.
  4. Fibro Fatty Infiltration-
  5. It is the replacement of myocytes with fibrofatty tissues.
  6. Myocardial atrophy is due to injury and apoptosis which leads to thinning of the RV free wall.
  7. These areas are prone to aneurysm formation

STAGES OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR DYSPLASIA

There are 3 stages of ARVC (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia)-

  1. Concealed Stage- There are no symptoms of abnormal heart rhythm while exercising.
  2. Electrical Stage- There is a high risk of ventricular arrhythmias and risk of sudden cardiac death, ECG shows abnormal heart rhythm issues.
  3. Structural Stage- They are at even higher risk of abnormal ventricular rhythm and sudden cardiac death.  

CAUSES

  1. It results from a genetic defect. 60% of people have genetic mutations. Due to mutations in the desmosomes, genes impair the functions of desmosomes, without normal desmosomes, cells of the myocardium detach and die so heart muscles come under pressure. The damaged myocardium gets replaced with fat and scar tissue. As the abnormal build-up walls of the ventricle get stretched out it prevents the flow and leads to changes in arrhythmia.
  2. There are 2 patterns of inheritance for ARVC-
  3. Autosomal Dominant- when one of the parents has a genetic mutation, it is more prevalent in Italy and other geographic areas
  4. Autosomal Recessive- When both the parents have genetic mutations but show no symptoms. It can be seen in Naxos disease which causes the thickening of the skin.
  5. Viral and inflammatory myocarditis
  6. Birth abnormalities which affect the right ventricle

SYMPTOMS

  1. ARVC causes chest pain which seems like a heart attack
  2. Ventricular arrhythmias- The irregular heart rhythms start in the ventricles or the lower chamber of the heart, the most common rhythm is ventricular tachycardia. Almost 77% of people are in this condition.  
  3. Supraventricular arrhythmias are most often in atrial fibrillation
  4. Heart Palpitations- that is the fluttering of the chest which forms abnormal rhythms of the heart.
  5. Chest pain
  6. Sudden cardiac death
  7. Shortness of breath
  8.  Swelling in the legs, ankles and abdomen
  9.  Fainting
  10. Lightheadedness

DIAGNOSIS

  1. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
  2. A Signal averaged ECG (SAECG)
  3. Cardiac MRI
  4. Holter monitor
  5. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  6. Biopsy
  7. Cardiac Computed Tomography
  8. Transthoracic echocardiogram

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

  1. Congenital heart disease-
  2. Partial anomalous venous return
  3. Atrial septal defect
  4. Repaired tetralogy of Fallot
  5. Acquired heart disease-
  6. Tricuspid valve disease
  7. Pulmonary hypertension
  8. Right ventricular infarction
  9. Miscellaneous-
  10. Sarcoidosis
  11. Idiopathic RVOT tachycardia  

TREATMENT

  1. Antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone
  2. Blood pressure medications such as Beta blockers and diuretics
  3. Anticoagulant (Warfarin)
  4. Radiofrequency (catheter ablation)
  5. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
  6. Heart Transplant

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

In ARVC (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy) this is due to the consumption of causative agents, the doshas get vitiated. These doshas contaminate the rasa dhatus (nutritional fluid in the circulation) and then enter the hridya (heart). On entering the heart through rasa dhatus, the doshas get troubled and cause hrid roga.

  1.  Due to imbalance  Vata doshas cause irregular heartbeat.
  2. As the pitta doshas get aggravated that is responsible for an increased heartbeat.
  3.  As the Kapha dosha gets imbalanced it results in a slow down of heartbeat.

NIDANA

  1. Consumption of too hot foods
  2. Excessive consumption of sour, bitter foods
  3. Excessive thinking, stress
  4. Excessive physical activity
  5. Administration of a strong enema
  6. Excessive indulgence in sexual activity
  7. Frequent vomiting
  8. Excessive formation of ama (toxins)
  9. Forcibly withholding the natural urges
  10. Fear
  11. Panic
  12. Emaciation

TYPES OF HRID ROGAS

Hrid rogas is of 5 types

  1. Vataja Hrid Rogas- heart disease is caused by vitiation of Vata
  2. Pittaja Hrid Rogas- Heart disease is caused by vitiation of pitta
  3. Kaphaja Hrid Rogas- Heart disease due to vitiation of Kapha
  4. Tridoshaja Hrid Rogas- This is caused by the vitiation of three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
  5. Krimija Hrid Rogas- Heart disease is caused by worms, bacteria (infections)

1. Vataja Hridrogas – It causes

  • Expansion of heart
  • Churning type of pain
  • Tearing type of pain
  • Cutting type of pain

2. Pittaja Hridrogas – It causes

  • Severe thirst, sucking pain
  • Excessive tiredness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Dryness in the oral cavity
  • Sucking pain

3. Kaphaja Hridrogas – It causes

  • Heaviness in the body
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stiffness
  • Rigidity
  • Excessive salivation

4. Tridosha HridRogas

Whole doshas will be seen in tridosha hridrogas

5. Krimija Hrid Rogas

This is seen in patients who consume apathya ahara vihara, which manifests kleda. Experience the toda (pricking type of pain) in the heart region.

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tastelessness
  • Excessive dryness in the body     

HERBS USEFUL IN ARVC (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy)

1. ARJUNA

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) helps to balance pitta and Kapha doshas and has a great effect on cardiac diseases so known as a cardiac tonic (strengthens the heart and is useful in angina and in high blood pressure). It is used in the treatment of aconite poisoning. Because its kshaya ras is useful in the healing of fractures. Helps to reduce fat and cholesterol levels, useful in chest injuries and in many bleeding disorders./p>

2. BRAHMI

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) helps to improve intelligence, acts as an excellent anti-ageing herb and has antioxidant properties. It acts as a nerve tonic which promotes the growth of the brain and helps to improve the coordination between the tongue and limbs. Useful in many psychiatric disorders which improve the quality of life and in many spleen disorders. It is also good for heart disorders so known for its cardiac tone property.

3. SHANKHPUSHPI

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) helps to improve intelligence and memory.  It is known for its natural detoxification property, improves strength, induces sleep and helps to improve the quality of hair and promotes hair growth. Shankhpushpi is known for its rasayan property. It helps to improve the complexion of the skin and is used in many skin disorders.

4. VACHA

Vacha (Acorus calamus) helps to balance Vata and Kapha doshas. Vacha helps to relieve the ama dosha so helpful in the digestion process and useful against many psychological imbalances and disorders. It is extensively used in the treatment of obesity which relieves syphilis and in Vata doshas imbalances. Helps to induce uterine contraction so it is useful in dysmenorrhea. Improves speech, memory and intelligence.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR ARVC (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy)

Planet ayurveda is an ayurvedic manufacturing company that makes all the formulations from its natural resources. They have many branches overseas. Planet ayurveda is a GMP certified company, all products made are free from any preservatives, colors and additional resins. Ingredients are free from any adulterations. Products cause no side effects but provide many health benefits to patients.

PRODUCTS LIST

  1. ARJUNA CAPSULES
  2. ARJUN TEA
  3. TOTAL HEART SUPPORT
  4. HRIDAYARNAVA RASA
  5. BRAHMI VATI 

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. Arjuna Capsules

Arjuna Capsules are single herbal capsules which are made by planet ayurveda using a single standardized extract of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). These capsules help to balance the tridoshas in the body, Help to support the healthy circulation of the heartwhich maintains healthy blood cells and healthy metabolism. Taking these capsules supports the healthy cholesterol level in the body.

Dosage-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals

2. ARJUN TEA

Arjuna Tea is a herbal tea formulation which is made by planet ayurveda using various ingredients such as Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Chhoti Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum) and many more. This herbal tea is an effective remedy for maintaining heart and blood pressure. It is also helpful in high cholesterol, congestive heart failure and many heart problems. This tea is rich in antioxidants and provides support to the vascular system.

Dosage– 2 cups twice daily

3. Total Heart Support

Total heart support are polyherbal capsules made by planet Ayurveda using ingredients such as Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and many more. This capsule is helpful in balancing Vata and pitta doshas. Helpful in heart disease in the treatment of high cholesterol levels and in congestive heart failure. Due to weakness in heart muscles, there is breathlessness so it is an effective remedy for heart disorders.

Dosage– 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Hridayarnava Rasa

Hridayarnava Rasa is a tablet formulation which is prepared by planet Ayurveda using ingredients such as Shuddh Parad (Purified mercury), Tamra Bhasma, Shuddh Gandhak and many more. This tablet is helpful in cardiac disorders which further cause breathlessness. Heaviness in the chest and in many heart-related problems. This helps to balance Kapha doshas.

Dosage– 1 tablet twice daily.

5. Brahmi Vati

Brahmi Vati is a classical ayurvedic formulation which is made by planet ayurveda in the form of tablet using ingredients such as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Swarna Makshika bhasma and many more. These tablets are useful in panic attacks and in maintaining normal blood pressure. It is used in sleeplessness, in chronic fever and anxiety.

Dosage- 1 tablet twice daily with lukewarm water.

CONCLUSION

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease that usually appears in adulthood. ARVC (Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy) is a disorder of the myocardium which is the muscular layer of the heart. This condition causes the part of the myocardium to break down and increases the risk of abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) and causes sudden death.   ARVC is a rare genetic disease which shows symptoms between the age of 10-50 years of age. On entering the heart through rasa dhatus, the doshas get troubled and cause hrid roga. We discussed many herbal remedies by planet ayurveda which are really effective and cause no side effects.

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April 5, 2023

Herbal Alternatives to Pantoprazole/Omeprazole – Gas And Acidity

ABSTRACT

The problems related to the stomach are getting more and more common. The main credit goes to the food we eat. One of the most common problems faced by today’s population is acidity and gas. Haveyou ever thought about what causes acidity or gas? Have you ever noticed which food article has irritated your stomach or intestine? Have you ever thought to totally avoid intake of things causing trouble to your digestion? The main problem with human beings is that they respond when the damage is done but will not take care of things before. In this article we will discuss drugs like Pantoprazole/Omeprazole which are being prescribed in various digestive issues and what are the best alternatives to these medications in Ayurveda.

INTRODUCTION

The pantoprazole/Omeprazole is two proton pump inhibitors which are given in various types of digestive conditions. Mostly these two drugs help in subsiding the acidity problems, acid reflux problem and also help in infection based acidity like in case of helicobacter pylori or H.pylori infections. They are also given in duodenal and stomach ulcers as well. The drugs are given to both children and adults. Pantoprazole and omeprazole tablets come with a delayed release capsule, tablet and suspension. They even come in the form of IV injections. These drugs are generally prescribed as a short term treatment.

Pantoprazole

Key Highlights

  • Pantoprazole and omeprazole are proton pump inhibitors

Pantoprazole

  • It is used to treat erosive esophagitis associated with GERD
  • Maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis.
  • It is also given in pathological hypersecretory conditions including zollinger ellison syndrome.
  • Marketed in 2000 under brand name protonix

Omeprazole

  • It is given in duodenal ulcer
  • Choice of drug in H.pylori
  • Given in Gastric ulcer and also for GERD
  • It is prescribed to paediatrics patients as well.
  • Marketed in 1989 under brand name prilosec

Purpose of prescribing a proton pump inhibitor?

  • The proton pump inhibitors, as mentioned before, are generally prescribed to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
  • They help in reducing acid reflux. Acid reflux is something that happens due to the upward movement of food or liquid.
  • The use of proton pump inhibitors is also done in ulcers. In Stomach ulcers these drugs are generally prescribed.
  • In infections like helicobacter pylori use of PPIs is common.

The main purpose in every situation is to reduce the production of acid in the stomach.

Now moving further let’s understand the working of Proton pump inhibitors

How do proton pump inhibitors work

  • So, let’s understand this working in the most simplest way. Our stomach normally produces acid to help the digestion of food  and also help in killing germs or bacteria. This acid is corrosive in nature and to counter this corrosive property of stomach acid, there is the barrier of mucous in the stomach that helps in protecting the stomach from getting worn away.
  • In certain people this barrier breaks down thus the situation allows the acid to damage the stomach or erode it or result in the formation of ulcers. In some other cases there might be some problem with the sphincter, the sphincter is like a cap placed at the top of the stomach. This helps in keeping the stomach tightly closed and the content of the stomach inside. But when the sphincter muscles gets weak then it is not able to close properly and this allows acid to to reflux back. This refluxed back acid can damage the lining of the oesophagus thus causing situations like heartburn and inflammation of gullet.   
  • As mentioned before PPIs help in reducing the acid production in the stomach thus preventing ulcers and esophageal irritation.  The proton pump inhibitors are called proton pump inhibitors because they work by blocking or inhibiting the chemical system called the hydrogen potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system or simply called proton pump. The cells in the stomach lining have this chemical system. These cells in the stomach lining are responsible for producing acid.
  • As mentioned before PPIs help in reducing the acid production in the stomach thus preventing ulcers and esophageal irritation.  The proton pump inhibitors are called proton pump inhibitors because they work by blocking or inhibiting the chemical system called the hydrogen potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system or simply called proton pump. The cells in the stomach lining have this chemical system. These cells in the stomach lining are responsible for producing acid.

Side effects/Adverse effects of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole

Side effects of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole are divided into two parts based on their short term and long term use.

Firstly, we will start with side effects or Adverse effects of short term use of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole.

  1. Short term use of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole or proton pump inhibitors result in headaches followed by dizziness.
  2. A person can experience some gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain followed by flatulence, constipation and diarrhoea. Symptoms on skin  include the appearance of rashes.
  3. The Gastrointestinal symptoms may also induce severe lack of appetite and weight loss at last.

Next, coming on to the side effects due to long term use of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole

  1. The long term use of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole results in the increased risk of bone fracture. This only happens if a person is taking multiple doses of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole per day for a duration of more than a year.
  2. There are possible chances of vitamin B12 deficiency which in turn leads to serious nerve damage and also results in the deterioration of brain functions.
  3. There is chronic inflammation of the stomach’s lining.
  4. There is a significant lack of magnesium. This is most common in people taking pantoprazole.
  5. When hospitalised and treated with pantoprazole, patients can suffer from clostridium difficile bacteria infection.
  6. Though the allergic reactions are rare, pantoprazole can cause allergic responses in the body.
  7. Moreover PPIs can cause cutaneous lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus.

Even beside the drastic effects of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole, people use them blindly and later on their body is prone to too many conditions. You might be thinking, then what to do, what to have if not Pantoprazole/Omeprazole?

The answer to this question is simple and its Ayurveda.

  • Ayurveda is a science that describes how one should live a healthy life and if someone faces any difficulty then how it can be solved. That’s the beauty of Ayurveda. This science does not believe in subsiding the or suppressing the symptoms but it believes in the  elimination of disease from the body. Yes, that sounds difficult and indeed it is difficult because it requires efforts from both sides, that is from the physician’s side of the physician as well as from the side of the patient as well. These efforts include following all the dietary changes, managing a proper lifestyle and having herbal formulations, which will correct the disbalance going on inside your body.
  • Many of the readers might know and many of the readers might not know that there are three energies of the body that are responsible for maintaining the whole body system. These three energies are potential energy or kapha dosha, thermal energy that is pitta dosha and kinetic energy which is vata dosha. Any imbalance in any of these three energies will definitely cause some symptoms in the body. Excessive production of acid in the stomach is one of such symptoms and is due to imbalance in the thermal energy of the body.

Herbal remedies by Planet Ayurveda as an alternative to Pantoprazole/Omeprazole

Planet Ayurveda is an ISO certified company which is also having certification of HALAL, KOSHAR, FDA and others. The herbal preparations manufactured by Planet Ayurveda are in the form of tablets (vati), capsules, syrups, decoctions (kwath), jams (avaleha) and others. The products prepared by Planet Ayurveda are totally herbal and do  not contain any type of adulterants, fillers, dyes, flavour enhancing agents, binders etc. The herbal preparations manufactured or prepared by Planet Ayurveda are potent and are used in various types of conditions. The formulations offered by Planet Ayurveda as an alternative to Pantoprazole/Omeprazole are as follows:

  1. HEART BURN CAPSULES
  2. DIGESTION SUPPORT
  3. AMALAKI RASAYAN
  4. MAHASHANKH VATI

Herbal Alternatives to Pantoprazole

Herbal Alternatives to Pantoprazole - Gas and Acidty

Product Description

1. HEART BURN CAPSULES

Heartburn capsules as their name suggests are typically for managing the heartburn which is quite common in patients who are having excessive acid production in the stomach along with weak sphincter muscles. The product has ingredients like Praval Pishti (coral calcium), Akik pishti (agate calcium), mukta pishti (Pearl calcium) and Ayurvedic calcium compounds like jahar mohra pishti and kamdudha ras. All of these ingredients are having cold potency that is opposite to the thermal energy inside the body. Due to this cold potency they are likely to balance the excess of pitta dosha in the body. This results in reduction in the production of stomach acid and thus symptoms like heartburn are solved.

Dosage:  One capsule twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

2. DIGESTION SUPPORT

Digestion support is a herbal formulation which is manufactured with nature’s best herbs for all kinds of digestive system related problems. The ingredients of this formulation are amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bahera (Terminalia bellerica), saunf (Foeniculum vulgare), Dhania (Coriander sativum), pippali (Piper longum) and Jeerak (Cyminum cuminum). As the name suggests the digestion support capsules are specifically prepared with a combination of herbs that can help in supporting the digestive fire and also helps in balancing the disbalance going on inside the body. Having digestion support not only ignites or balances your digestive fire but also prevents your body and other organs from various kinds of diseases.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

3. AMALAKI RASAYAN

Amalaki rasayan is a rasaynik formulation that has only Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) as its ingredient. Amalaki is known to improve appetite and taste as well. As an alternative to Pantoprazole/Omeprazole, amalaki rasayan helps in maintaining the acid production in the stomach by balancing the pitta dosha or thermal energy of the body. As now we know that excess acid production can cause loss of appetite, anorexia, lack of taste etc. but with Amalaki rasayan these conditions can be improved. Amalaki rasayan corrects the gastrointestinal symptoms caused due to the short term use of Pantoprazole/Omeprazole. The formulation can be given in case of ulcers and acid peptic disorders as well.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

4. MAHASHANKH VATI

Mahashankh vati is a really effective classical herbomineral formulation which is mainly used in all kinds of digestive troubles. The formulation has ingredients like shunti (Zingiber officinalis), Pippali (Piper longum), Shankh bhasma (Calx of conch shell) and many others. The formulation has its impact on improving the digestion and thus gives very great and effective results. As an alternative to Pantoprazolea and Omeprazole, the formulation fits best as it helps in getting better without causing other gastrointestinal symptoms. Mahashankh vati is safe to be used in ulcers, acid peptic conditions and has healing effects. It helps in rejuvenation of gastrointestinal mucosa

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4030 (India), +91-172-521-4030 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604.

Conclusion

People these days want everything instant weather food, affection or results from medicines. But we never think that instant things come with a price and that price is well paid by our body. Long term or short term some medicines tend to show results on your body and these results are mostly negative. But with herbal medicine such effects are never seen. Herbal formulations are given to correct one thing but at last ends up correcting many more. That is the beauty of herbal products. The formulations which are mentioned above are totally herbal and prepared from the natural extract of herbs. There is no addition of chemicals, preservatives, starch, additives, colours, yeast, binders, fillers and flavour enhancers etc. In addition they give great results as an alternative to Pantoprazole/Omeprazole.

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