Face Wash vs Cleanser: Myths Busted for Sensitive Skin by Dr Aman Dua

In this video, Dr. Aman Dua, Renowned Dermatologist, Hair Transplant Surgeon, and Co-Founder & Managing Director at AK Clinics, breaks down the often confusing debate: Face Wash vs Cleanser – what’s right for your skin?

Dr. Dua addresses common myths and misconceptions, especially around sensitive skin. One frequently asked question she tackles is: “True or False – Sensitive skin should only be washed with water?” Dr. Dua explains why this approach may not be enough to effectively cleanse the skin, especially in polluted environments.

Another point of confusion she clears up is: “Is a cleanser the same as a face wash?” – a common dilemma for many skincare users. Dr. Dua highlights the differences in formulation, usage, and suitability based on individual skin types.

Whether you have oily, dry, or sensitive skin, understanding these differences can help you build a skincare routine that actually works. Watch the full video to discover how to choose the right product, when to use what, and how to care for your skin without overdoing it.

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Medical Bulletin 21/June/2025

Here are the top medical bulletins for the day:

Intermittent Fasting versus Calorie-Restricted Diets for Weight Loss: What Works Better?

Intermittent fasting diets appear to offer similar benefits to traditional calorie-restricted diets for weight loss and improving cardiometabolic health, according to a large analysis of clinical trial data published in The BMJ. The study also found that alternate day fasting may offer modest advantages over other intermittent fasting methods, though researchers emphasize the need for longer trials to confirm these results.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of 99 randomized clinical trials involving 6,582 adults with an average age of 45 and average BMI of 31. Nearly 90% of participants had existing health conditions. The trials, lasting from 3 to 52 weeks, compared various intermittent fasting strategies with calorie-restricted and unrestricted diets, assessing outcomes such as weight loss and cholesterol levels.

The analysis found that all intermittent fasting strategies and continuous calorie restriction led to small reductions in body weight compared to an unrestricted diet. Alternate day fasting was the only approach that showed a slight benefit over calorie restriction, with a mean additional weight loss of 1.29 kg. However, this did not meet the clinically significant threshold of 2 kg set by the authors.

Alternate day fasting was also associated with modest improvements in total and “bad” cholesterol compared to time-restricted eating, though no differences were found for blood sugar or “good” cholesterol levels.

The authors acknowledge limitations including short trial durations and varying quality, but highlight that this is one of the first reviews to compare all strategies in a comprehensive model. “The current evidence provides some indication that intermittent fasting diets have similar benefits to continuous energy restriction,” they conclude.

Reference: Semnani-Azad Z, Khan T A, Chiavaroli L, Chen V, Bhatt H A, Chen A et al. Intermittent fasting strategies and their effects on body weight and other cardiometabolic risk factors: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials BMJ 2025; 389 :e082007 doi:10.1136/bmj-2024-082007

Addictive Screen Use May Be Linked to Poor Mental Health in Preteens: Study Finds

Addictive use of social media, mobile phones, and video games- but not overall screen time- is associated with worsening mental health and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among preteens, according to a new study published in JAMA.

Concerns have grown in recent years about the effects of screen exposure on children and adolescents, especially amid rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal behavior. This new study, involving nearly 4,300 children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, looked at signs of addictive behavior- such as compulsive use that interferes with daily life- and how those patterns evolved over four years starting at age 8.

The researchers tracked children’s use of social media, mobile phones, and video games, and assessed how their screen use aligned with behaviors commonly linked to addiction. These included statements like “I play video games so I can forget about my problems,” or “I feel the need to use social media apps more and more.” Based on responses, the team identified usage patterns and linked them to mental health data, including suicidal ideation and behaviors.

Children with high or increasingly addictive use of social media or mobile phones had two to three times greater risk of suicidal behaviors than their peers with low addictive use. Notably, total screen time alone showed no association with mental health outcomes.

“Policy efforts should move away from generic limits on screen time and instead focus on identifying and addressing addictive patterns of screen use,” said lead author Yunyu Xiao, PhD, of Weill Cornell Medicine.

Reference: Xiao Y, Meng Y, Brown TT, Keyes KM, Mann JJ. Addictive Screen Use Trajectories and Suicidal Behaviors, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health in US Youths. JAMA. Published online June 18, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7829

Study Reveals How Obesity in Pregnancy Triggers Liver Disorders in Offspring

Children born to obese mothers may face an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders– even when they follow a healthy diet themselves. A new study published in Nature by researchers at the University of Bonn offers a compelling explanation: in obese mice, maternal obesity reprograms immune cells in the embryo’s liver, causing lasting disruptions to metabolic function in the offspring.

The study focused on Kupffer cells, a specialized type of macrophage that takes up permanent residence in the liver during embryonic development. These cells play a critical role not only in immune defense but also in regulating liver metabolism. “They instruct the surrounding liver cells on what to do,” explains Prof. Dr. Elvira Mass from the LIMES Institute at the University of Bonn. “In this way, they help ensure that the liver, as a central metabolic organ, performs its many tasks correctly.”

The researchers found that offspring of obese mouse mothers developed fatty liver disease shortly after birth—even when fed a normal diet. The team discovered that metabolic products from the mother activate a transcription factor in Kupffer cells during pregnancy, reprogramming them to send signals that promote fat accumulation in the liver.

To test whether this reprogramming could be reversed, the researchers genetically removed the transcription factor during pregnancy. As a result, the offspring did not develop fatty liver disease, offering a promising direction for future treatment strategies. Whether this pathway can be targeted with medication remains to be seen, and follow-up studies are underway.

“This switch is a so-called transcription factor. It controls which genes are active in Kupffer cells,” said Mass, emphasizing the precision of this molecular mechanism. The implications are far-reaching: early changes in liver programming may set the stage for lifelong health challenges.

Reference: Huang, H., Balzer, N.R., Seep, L. et al. Kupffer cell programming by maternal obesity triggers fatty liver disease. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09190-w

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Teaching experience before medical college’s recognition not valid for faculty appointment eligibility: HC

Shimla: While determining the issue of eligibility for appointment to the post of Assistant Professor, the Himachal Pradesh High Court recently clarified that teaching experience acquired before the recognition or establishment of a medical college under Section 10A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, cannot be considered valid.

“The teaching experience thus would only as such be available to the petitioner post setting up of the College and could not have been there earlier though he might have been posted as such by the State at the initial stage for fulfilling the norms of the MCI by the State Government,” the HC Division bench Comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma held while considering the plea of a doctor in this regard.

The petitioner completed MBBS in 2000-2001 and later completed MS Surgery in July 2016 from Himachal Pradesh University. After this, he initially joined as a Medical Officer (Specialist) at Zonal Hospital, Mandi (H.P.) on August 16, 2016.

Later, he was transferred and designated as Senior Resident in the Department of Surgery with effect from December 8, 2016, after the establishment of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital (SLBS GMC).

However, it was only on May 31, 2017, when the college was formally recognised under Section 10A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. In order to be appointed as an Assistant Professor, it is mandatory for the candidate to have three years of teaching experience after post-graduation in a recognized medical college.

Also Read: No relief on Bond service for Doctors: Himachal HC stays single bench order

On December 27, 2019, the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission issued an advertisement and invited applications for two posts of Assistant Professor in General Surgery. In this case, the cut-off date for eligibility was fixed as January 16, 2020. When the petitioner applied for the post, he got an NOC on January 9, 2020, and his name was forwarded by the Health Department for consideration. However, the NOC was kept in suspension on February 24, 2020, and was later withdrawn on August 11, 2020, based on the grounds that the petitioner doctor did not have the requisite three years of teaching experience as of the cut-off date.

Aggrieved by this, the petitioner filed a plea in the High Court seeking direction to appoint him as an Assistant Professor. However, the single judge bench denied the same, and thereafter the petitioner approached the Division Bench of the High Court.

The doctor argued that he had been designated as a Senior Resident on December 8, 2016, and thereafter, he had continuously rendered service in that capacity in the Department of Surgery at SLBS Government Medical College. He also submitted that his teaching experience should be counted from 08.12.2016, which would make him eligible for the post of Assistant Professor as per the recruitment rules on the cut-off date of January 16, 2020. 

Therefore, referring to the experience certificate and the NOC, the doctor argued that the competent authority had verified and certified his eligibility, and his name was duly forwarded to the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission for selection. It was also argued that similarly situated candidates were also granted the benefit of experience from the same date.

On the other hand, the State Government authorities argued that as per the statutory Recruitment Rules, the petitioner was required to possess three years of teaching experience after completing post-graduation in the concerned speciality from a recognised medical college. It was also argued that the SLBS Government Medical College was recognised on May 31, 2017, and therefore, any experience before this date could not be counted for eligibility.

Pointing out that the cut-off date for eligibility was mentioned as January 16, 2020, in the advertisement, the authorities argued that the petitioner did not meet the experience requirement on that date. It was also submitted that merely participating in the selection process or being recommended provisionally did not create any right to appointment in the absence of fulfilling the essential eligibility conditions.

Apart from this, it was also submitted by the authorities that the petitioner’s NOC had been withdrawn after proper scrutiny, as he did not possess the requisite three years’ teaching experience as per the rules.

While considering the matter, the HC bench observed that the eligibility criteria mentioned in the advertisement required a minimum of three years of teaching experience after completing post-graduation from a recognised medical college.

The bench noted that the same eligibility criteria were mentioned in the Recruitment Rules of 1999 as well. It was also observed that the college where the petitioner was posted was officially recognised only on May 31, 2017 and therefore, the petitioner’s experience before that date could not be counted as valid for determining eligibility.

“…the requirement is three years teaching experience as Lecturer/Resident after doing the Post Graduation with the concerned specialty which was not available with the petitioner inasmuch as the said College was set up on 31.05.2017 in terms of Section 10A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. The teaching experience thus would only as such be available to the petitioner post setting up of the College and could not have been there earlier though he might have been posted as such by the State at the initial stage for fulfilling the norms of the MCI by the State Government,” observed the Court.

“It is a settled principle that the eligibility has to be seen at the time of the cut off date and is sacrosanct as such and in such circumstances, the reasons as such for the State to withdraw the NOC granted does not fault in any manner. Merely because he has been designated and working as a Senior Resident in the College since the date of experience could not be treated as 08.12.2016 as the first batch of the annual intake of the M.B.B.S students only took place from the Academic Year 2017-18 and the three years teaching experience is to be calculated from that date. The petitioner thus did not have the requisite three years experience as on 16.01.2020,” the Court further noted. 

“Merely because he is qualified as such and the strength of provisional concession given on an earlier account would as such not make it his legal right as he had only right of consideration which was subject to the terms of eligibility as per the terms of the advertisement,” the Division bench mentioned in the order.

The Court observed that it was a settled principle that the advertisement had a force of law and it bound both the petitioner and the State. Perusing the conditions mentioned in the advertisement regarding the requirement of NOC, the bench noted, “Thus, in the absence of the requisite NOC as a regular service candidate he was not liable to be interviewed and the NOC having been withdrawn for valid reasons as per the provisions of the Rules could not be said to be an arbitrary decision of the State, which can be judicially reviewed and reversed, in any manner.”

Dismissing the petitioer’s appeal, the Court concluded,

“Resultantly, we have come to the conclusion that the petitioner not being eligible as per the statutory rules which provides the necessary qualifications and the minimum qualifications for direct recruits and the minimum educational requirements and the requisite teaching experience which would necessarily be only when the concerned intake of the students would come and not prior to that. Resultantly, the reasoning which has been arrived at by the learned Single Judge cannot be faulted in any manner….In such circumstances, we do not find any plausible reason as such to interfere with the well reasoned order passed by the learned Single Judge dismissing the writ petition filed by the appellant.”

To view the order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/himachal-pradesh-hc-order-291661.pdf

Also Read: ‘Doctors are not slaves’, State cannot force service if bond is paid: HC

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From blood sugar to brain relief: GLP-1 therapy linked to lower migraine frequency

A diabetes medication that lowers brain fluid pressure has cut monthly migraine days by more than half, according to a new study presented today at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2025.

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Research uncovers link between nighttime heart rhythm and future health conditions

A study conducted at the Department of Neurology, Inselspital, the University Hospital of Bern, analyzed 4,170 individuals over an observation period of 13,217 person-years. It found that heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep can serve as a powerful early warning sign of future health conditions, including stroke, depression, and cognitive dysfunction.

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Why acute and chronic pain are so different—and what might make pain last

A new study reveals that when we experience short-term (acute) pain, the brain has a built‑in way to dial down pain signals—like pressing the brakes—to keep them from going into overdrive. But in long‑term (chronic) pain, this braking system fails, and the pain signals just keep firing. This discovery helps explain why some pain goes away while other pain lingers, and it opens the door to new treatments that could stop pain from becoming chronic in the first place.

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Autism inpatient collection releases genetic, phenotypic data for more than 1,500 children with autism

The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) has released phenotypic and genetic data from the Autism Inpatient Collection (AIC), a cohort of more than 1,500 youth participants ages 4 to 20 years old who were hospitalized in one of six child psychiatry units in the United States. The AIC aimed to engage these individuals, many of whom meet recently proposed criteria for “profound autism” (autism characterized by intellectual disability or minimal language that requires high levels of supervision and support) as they are substantially underrepresented in datasets derived from outpatient or community settings.

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How an Alzheimer’s peptide and a blood protein may combine to drive early disease pathology

Scientists have long known that the Alzheimer’s brain often features abnormal plaques and tangles, and recent studies have highlighted the role that the brain’s vascular system plays in disease progression. But for decades, this knowledge has failed to translate into fully effective treatments. The lack of progress is largely due to the fact that, despite landmark findings, the precise pathway of neurodegeneration is still unclear.

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Yoga is the pause button humanity needs, says PM Modi as he leads 11th International Yoga Day

New Delhi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to people across India and the world on the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga.

The Prime Minister led the Yoga Day celebrations and took part in a Yoga session at an event in Vishakhapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh, today. He said, “Eleven years on, yoga has become an integral part of the lifestyle of millions across the globe.” 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep satisfaction in witnessing the visually impaired (Divyang) reading yogic scriptures in Braille and applauded scientists practicing yoga even in outer space. He highlighted the active involvement of youth from rural areas in the Yoga Olympiads, emphasizing that from iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House to the peak of Mount Everest and the vast expanse of the ocean, the consistent message is: “Yoga is for everyone and for all, Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Backgrounds, Beyond age or ability.”

He noted that over two crore people have joined the Yogandhra Abhiyan, which he described as a vibrant display of public engagement. Prime Minister stressed that such enthusiastic citizen participation forms the cornerstone of a Viksit Bharat. When people take initiative and ownership of a cause, he asserted, achieving any goal becomes possible.

Also Read:AYUSH Ministry hosts 3-day Yoga Maha Kumbh in Delhi

Speaking about this year’s International Day of Yoga theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, Prime Minister said it conveys a fundamental truth: the well-being of all life on Earth is interconnected. He explained that human health is tied to the quality of soil, the purity of water, the well-being of animals, and the nourishment we receive from plants.

He said yoga helps awaken us to this deep connection and guides us toward unity with the world. “Yoga teaches us we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature. Initially, we learn to care for our own health and wellness, but gradually, this care expands to our environment, society, and the planet. Yoga is a profound personal discipline that, at the same time, serves as a collective system – one that transitions individuals from Me to We,” he stated.

He continued by saying that, “The spirit of ‘Me to We’ encapsulates the very soul of India,” and reflected on Indian values that encourage individuals to rise above personal interest and embrace the welfare of all. Referring to the cultural ethos, he said that India teaches the value of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” – the happiness and well-being of all is a sacred responsibility. This philosophy, he added, lays the foundation for service, selflessness, and harmony.

The Prime Minister expressed his concern about rising levels of stress, instability, and conflict across the world. He pointed to yoga as a solution, stating that “Yoga is the pause button humanity needs, to breathe, to balance, to become whole again.” He made a heartfelt appeal to the global community, proposing that “this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.0, where Inner Peace becomes Global Policy.”

He emphasized the importance of making yoga more than just a personal routine—it should become a catalyst for global partnerships. Shri Modi called on all countries and societies to embed yoga into daily life and public policy, expressing his vision for a united effort to build a more peaceful, balanced, and sustainable planet. “Yoga should guide the world from conflict to cooperation, and from stress to solutions,” he concluded.

Raising awareness about the global challenge of obesity, the Prime Minister revisited his previous Mann Ki Baat address, where he had launched a campaign to reduce daily oil consumption by 10 percent. He renewed his appeal for people across India and the world to participate in this initiative. Shri Modi underscored that reducing oil intake, avoiding harmful dietary habits, and integrating yoga into daily life are essential for better health.

In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister urged everyone to make yoga a jan andolan. He envisioned a global wave of peace, wellness, and harmony driven by the power of yoga. He encouraged individuals to begin each day with yoga for personal balance and encouraged societies to embrace yoga to alleviate collective stress. Ending on a hopeful note, he affirmed: “Yoga should serve as a thread that weaves humanity together, Yoga for One Earth, One Health should become a global resolution.”

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda marked the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations by leading a mass yoga demonstration with hundreds of participants in Kartavya Path, New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Nadda stated that, “It is due to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s efforts that Yoga Day is being celebrated internationally today. During his address to the UN General Assembly in 2014, Hon’ble Prime Minister had proposed for Yoga to be celebrated internationally every year on 21st June, which was backed by over 170 countries.”

Shri Nadda added that, “since 2015, yoga has found global acceptance as a holistic approach to well-being. Yoga not only improves people’s health and fitness but also enhances mental clarity and emotional regulation, contributing to more balanced and fulfilling life.”

The Union Health Minister informed that the 11th International Day of Yoga will witness crores of participants performing yoga from lakhs of destinations across India. He said, “It is a moment of pride that we all are gathered here to celebrate this ancient Indian knowledge system, uplift our body and mind in the process and understand ourselves better through the gift of Yoga.”

Shri Nadda highlighted that yoga has been included under the National Health Policy 2017 to offer a more holistic and accessible approach to healthcare. He also pointed out a new Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research has been set up in AIIMS Delhi to provide integrative solutions encompassing traditional medical systems like Yoga and modern medicines to address health concerns.

He concluded his address by encouraging all participants to make Yoga a part of their daily life and work towards a healthy nation.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated that “Yoga is a celebration of the universal consciousness that comes from the soul of India and has not only touched millions of lives but has also paved a lasting path for global health and collective peace”.

He also highlighted that, “In the last ten years, India, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, has established yoga not just as an ‘exercise’ or ‘alternative medicine’ but as a way of life. This is the era of moving forward by combining the spiritual depth, scientific authenticity and social harmony of yoga.”

Smt. Anupriya Singh Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, noted that “Yoga is an invaluable gift of Indian culture, which has given the whole world the direction to live a healthy life”. “This is a wonderful science that connects body, mind and soul”, she stated.

Also Read:AYUSH Ministry Kicks Off 11th Yoga Day celebrations, PM Modi to lead Mega Event

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Goa to set up Expert Panel to Elevate Standards at GMCH

Panaji: To enhance the healthcare services on par with international standards, the Goa government has decided to constitute an advisory board of experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Union Government, and specialists from across the country. This board will monitor the functioning of the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

Located at Bambolim near Panaji, the GMCH is Goa’s largest government-run hospital with more than 1,000 beds, and caters to patients from adjoining regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka. In response to increasing patient footfall at GMCH, the government aims to upgrade the hospital’s services and overall functionality, striving to bring it up to the standards of international healthcare systems. 

Also read- Massive Uproar after Goa Health Minister Berates, Suspends Medical Officer, Doctors Demand Apology

Talking to PTI, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the board will be headed by him with representatives from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), World Health Organisation (WHO) India, the Union government and top doctors across the country. The board members will guide to ensure that the services at the apex hospital are on par with international standards, he said. He said that the board will have the state government’s Additional Secretary (Health) as its member secretary.

This comes after the recent controversy at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where the Health Minister publicly berated a senior doctor and ordered his suspension, alleging that the doctor had refused to treat a senior citizen and had behaved inappropriately.

As reported by Medical Dialogues, the incident sparked outrage within the medical community, with many demanding an apology from the Minister for the public humiliation of the doctor. However, Minister Rane stood by his actions, refusing to apologise and asserting that he acted in defence of a helpless patient and would continue to raise his voice against any form of patient discrimination.

Following the incident, the government has decided to uplift the quality of services at GMCH by forming an advisory board of experts who will provide guidance and recommendations to improve the hospital’s functioning.

Rane said that an advisory board for the GMCH existed in the past. Speaking to The Hindu, he said, “The advisory board for the GMCH existed in the past when I was the Health Minister, but when the next Minister came in, he dismantled it. Back then, we also had medical experts from AIIMS, the WHO, and a couple of doctors from Mumbai. This advisory board is absolutely crucial, with independent experts onboard, along with the other government agencies. The board will also decide the standard operating procedures for specialised treatments in the hospital.”

“We want to increase the efficiency of the hospital and provide good care to the patients with the ultimate objective of helping the poor and needy people. The advisory board will further strengthen the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of providing international standard health care in all the states,” Rane added.

The specialised doctors who will be part of the advisory board include a team of around 12 to 13 experts from across the country, including cities such as Mumbai, Manipal, Delhi, Bhopal, and Arunachal Pradesh. However, the final list of board members has not yet been confirmed and is still in the process of being finalised.

“So far, we have Dr. R. P. Srivastava, past president, the Association of Surgeons of India; Dr. Ajai Singh from AIIMS Bhopal; and Dr. Sagar Galwankar, emergency medicine specialist associated with AIIMS. From Mumbai, we will have Dr. Ashok Johari, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon; Padmashri Dr. Amit Maydeo, Chairman of the Institute of Gastrosciences, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital; and Dr. Sunil Bandekar from the Breach Candy Hospital. Once we have the team, we will divide them into two groups and have a quarterly in-person meeting and a monthly virtual meeting,” Mr. Rane told the Daily. 

According to him, qualified doctors would be part of the specialised medical care system, while others would be sent for training.

Also read- Goa Medical College Gets Approval to Increase 19 seats in 5 MD, MS specialities

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