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Professorship Julie Staals

Professorship Julie Staals

22 April 2024

Dr Julie Staals (Dept. of Neurology) has been appointed as professor 'Neurovascular disease' as of 1 April 2024.

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ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Prof. Andy Baker

ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Prof. Andy Baker

15 April 2024

Prof. Andy Baker (Dept of Pathology) has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant of €2,5M for his research project PolymiRize: Poly-miRNA targeting to prevent and reverse complex tissue remodelling after acute cardiovascular events'.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Harry Crijns

Professor

Harry Crijns is professor and chair of Cardiology and board member of the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM) at Maastricht UMC+. He studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam and was trained in cardiology and electrophysiology in Groningen and Maastricht. He is a Fellow of the ESC and a past board member of the EHRA. He is also past Chair of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology. He served on several guidelines committees for the management of AF. Currently he is the chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Dutch Heart Foundation.

His primary research focus continues to be atrial fibrillation (AF). He founded the RACE trials in the Netherlands and led the Euro Heart Survey on AF (ESC). He has established his reputation by introducing innovative concepts for diagnosis and treatment of AF by showing that - quite contrary to longstanding beliefs - electrical management does not change prognosis. This revolutionised management of the arrhythmia worldwide with the effect that major interventions like electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy are applied in a much more personalized fashion.

Subsequently his group showed that rate control in AF can be individualized thereby removing the previously used strict heart rate targets from the international guidelines. He also performed the Euro Heart Survey on AF and made many contributions to the field of stroke management in AF, such as the construction of well-recognised AF specific risk stratification scores for AF progression (HATCH), ischemic stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc) and major bleeding (HAS-BLED). These scores have practically conquered the medical AF community and improved patient care whilst boosting new clinical research throughout the world.

His research group now focusses on recent-onset AF, hybrid AF ablation, upstream therapy and vascular mechanisms for AF progression and stroke in idiopathic atrial fibrillation. He is (co-)author on over 650 scientific articles, with 56,677 citations and Hirsch-index of 100.

Harry-crijns

Department of Cardiology
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht 
PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht


  • 2014
    • van Breugel, H. N. A. M., Gelsomino, S., de Vos, C. B., Accord, R. E., Tieleman, R. G., Luca, F., Rostagno, C., Renzulli, A., Parise, O., Lorusso, R., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Maessen, J. G. (2014). Maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion for recurrent atrial fibrillation following mitral valve surgery with or without associated radiofrequency ablation. International Journal of Cardiology, 175(2), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.05.010
    • Kumar, N., Timmermans, C., Das, M., Pison, L., Maessen, J., & Crijns, H. (2014). Re: CT imaging of complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Clinical Radiology, 69(8), e367-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crad.2014.04.009
    • Lankveld, T. A. R., Zeemering, S., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Schotten, U. (2014). The ECG as a tool to determine atrial fibrillation complexity. Heart, 100(14), 1077-1084. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305149
    • Rienstra, M., Vermond, R. A., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2014). Asymptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation and outcome: Results of the RACE study. Heart Rhythm, 11(6), 939-945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.03.016
    • Kumar, N., Timmermans, C., Pison, L., & Crijns, H. (2014). Hemoptysis Deja Vu for Cryoballoon Use for Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. Chest, 145(6), 1435-1435. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.14-0236
    • Aliot, E., Botto, G. L., Crijns, H. J., & Kirchhof, P. (2014). Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: how to assess it and how to improve it. EP Europace, 16(6), 787-796. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut369
    • Krul, S. P. J., Pison, L., La Meir, M., Driessen, A. H. G., Wilde, A. A. M., Maessen, J. G., De Mol, B. A. J. M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & de Groot, J. R. (2014). Epicardial and endocardial electrophysiological guided thoracoscopic surgery for atrial fibrillation: A multidisciplinary approach of atrial fibrillation ablation in challenging patients. International Journal of Cardiology, 173(2), 229-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.02.043
    • Versteylen, M. O., Joosen, I. A., Kietselaer, B. L., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J., & Hofstra, L. (2014). Gender Difference in the Prognostic Value of CTA?JACC-Cardiovascular Imaging, 7(5), 529-530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2013.08.018
    • Dinh, T., Baur, L. H. B., Pisters, R., Kamp, O., Verheugt, F. W. A., Smeets, J. L. R. M., Cheriex, E. C., Lindeboom, J. E., Heesen, W. F., Tieleman, R. G., Prins, M. H., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & TIARA investigators, T. (2014). Aspirin versus vitamin K antagonist treatment guided by transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation: a pilot study. Heart, 100(7), 563-568. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305017
    • Crijns, H. J. G. M., Weijs, B., Fairley, A.-M., Lewalter, T., Maggioni, A. P., Martin, A., Ponikowski, P., Rosenqvist, M., Sanders, P., Scanavacca, M., Bash, L. D., Chazelle, F., Bernhardt, A., Gitt, A. K., Lip, G. Y. H., & Le Heuzey, J.-Y. (2014). Contemporary real life cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: Results from the multinational RHYTHM-AF study. International Journal of Cardiology, 172(3), 588-594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.01.099
    • Said, S. A. M., Oortman, R. M., Hofstra, J. .-H., Verhorst, P. M. J., Slart, R. H. J. A., de Haan, M. W., Eerens, F., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Coronary artery-bronchial artery fistulas: report of two Dutch cases with a review of the literature. Netherlands Heart Journal, 22(4), 139-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-014-0518-z
    • Hendriks, J. M. L., Vrijhoef, H. J. M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. P. (2014). The effect of a nurse-led integrated chronic care approach on quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 16(4), 491-499. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut286
    • Spronk, H. M. H., de Jong, A. M., Crijns, H. J., Schotten, U., Van Gelder, I. C., & ten Cate, H. (2014). Pleiotropic effects of factor Xa and thrombin: what to expect from novel anticoagulants. Cardiovascular Research, 101(3), 344-351. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvt343
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Laroche, C., Dan, G.-A., Santini, M., Kalarus, Z., Rasmussen, L. H., Oliveira, M. M., Mairesse, G., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Simantirakis, E., Atar, D., Kirchhof, P., Vardas, P., Tavazzi, L., & Maggioni, A. P. (2014). A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry. EP Europace, 16(3), 308-319. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut373
    • van Breugel, H. N. A. M., Gelsomino, S., Lozekoot, P. W. J., Accord, R. E., Luca, F., Parise, O., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Maessen, J. G. (2014). Guideline adherence in antithrombotic treatment after concomitant ablation surgery in atrial fibrillation patients. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 18(3), 313-320. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivt522
    • Limantoro, I., De Vos, C. B., Delhaas, T., Marcos, E., Blaauw, Y., Weijs, B., Tieleman, R. G., Pisters, R., Schotten, U., Van Gelder, I. C., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Tissue velocity imaging of the left atrium predicts response to flecainide in patients with acute atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm, 11(3), 478-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.12.010
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Gitt, A. K., Le Heuzey, J.-Y., Bash, L. D., Morabito, C. J., Bernhardt, A. A., Sisk, C. M., Chazelle, F., & Crijns, H. J. (2014). Overtreatment and Undertreatment With Anticoagulation in Relation to Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation (the RHYTHM-AF Study). American Journal of Cardiology, 113(3), 480-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.10.036
    • Pisters, R., Hohnloser, S. H., Connolly, S. J., Torp-Pedersen, C., Naditch-Brule, L., Page, R. L., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Effect of dronedarone on clinical end points in patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease: insights from the ATHENA trial. EP Europace, 16(2), 174-181. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut293
    • Pison, L., Gelsomino, S., Luca, F., Parise, O., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & La Meir, M. (2014). Effectiveness and safety of simultaneous hybrid thoracoscopic and endocardial catheter ablation of lone atrial fibrillation. Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 3(1), 38-44. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2225-319X.2013.12.10
    • Kumar, N., Timmermans, C., Das, M., Dassen, W., Philippens, S., Maessen, J., & Crijns, H. (2014). Hemoptysis after cryoablation for atrial fibrillation: truth or just a myth?Chest, 146(5). https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.14-1600
    • Zeemering, S., Lankveld, T., Bonizzi, P., Crijns, H., & Schotten, U. (2014). Principal Component Analysis of Body Surface Potential Mapping in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Suggests Additional ECG Lead Locations. Computing in Cardiology Conference, 41, 893-896. http://www.cinc.org/archives/2014/
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Blaauw, Y., Witjens, M. I., Debie, L., Wecke, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2014). The value of the 12-lead ECG for evaluation and optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in daily clinical practice. Journal of Electrocardiology, 47(2), 202-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.01.007
  • 2013
    • Limantoro, I., Vernooy, K., Weijs, B., Pisters, R., Debie, L., Crijns, H. J., & Blaauw, Y. (2013). Low efficacy of cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation with the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Netherlands Heart Journal, 21(12), 548-553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-013-0474-z
    • Mulder, B. A., Van Veldhuisen, D. J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., Hillege, H. L., Alings, M., Rienstra, M., Groenveld, H. F., Van den Berg, M. P., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2013). Lenient vs. strict rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a post-hoc analysis of the RACE II study. European journal of heart failure, 15(11), 1311-1318. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hft093
    • Kirchhof, P., Breithardt, G., Aliot, E., Al Khatib, S., Apostolakis, S., Auricchio, A., Bailleul, C., Bax, J., Benninger, G., Blomstrom-Lundqvist, C., Boersma, L., Boriani, G., Brandes, A., Brown, H., Brueckmann, M., Calkins, H., Casadei, B., Clemens, A., Crijns, H., ... Camm, A. J. (2013). Personalized management of atrial fibrillation: Proceedings from the fourth Atrial Fibrillation competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference. EP Europace, 15(11), 1540-1556. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut232
    • Jaarsma, C., Bekkers, B., Haidari, Z., Smulders, M. W., Nelemans, P. J., Gorgels, A. P., Crijns, H. J., Wildberger, J. E., & Schalla, S. (2013). Comparison of Different Electrocardiographic Scoring Systems for Detection of any Previous Myocardial Infarction as Assessed With Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging. American Journal of Cardiology, 112(8), 1069-1074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.05.048
    • Hendriks, J. M. L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tieleman, R. G., & Vrijhoef, H. J. M. (2013). The atrial fibrillation knowledge scale: Development, validation and results. International Journal of Cardiology, 168(2), 1422-1428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.12.047
    • Berti, D., Hendriks, J. M. L., Brandes, A., Deaton, C., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Camm, A. J., Hindricks, G., Moons, P., & Heidbuchel, H. (2013). A proposal for interdisciplinary, nurse-coordinated atrial fibrillation expert programmes as a way to structure daily practice. European Heart Journal, 34(35), 2725-2730. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/eht096
    • Kirchhof, P., Breithardt, G., Camm, A. J., Crijns, H. J., Kuck, K.-H., Vardas, P., & Wegscheider, K. (2013). Improving outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: Rationale and design of the Early treatment of Atrial fibrillation for Stroke prevention Trial. American Heart Journal, 166(3), 442-448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2013.05.015
    • La Meir, M., Gelsomino, S., Luca, F., Pison, L., Parise, O., Colella, A., Gensini, G. F., Crijns, H., Wellens, F., & Maessen, J. G. (2013). Minimally invasive surgical treatment of lone atrial fibrillation: Early results of hybrid versus standard minimally invasive approach employing radiofrequency sources. International Journal of Cardiology, 167(4), 1469-1475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.04.044
    • Hendriks, J., Tomini, F., van Asselt, T., Crijns, H., & Vrijhoef, H. (2013). Cost-effectiveness of a specialized atrial fibrillation clinic vs. usual care in patients with atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 15(8), 1128-1135. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut055
    • Borissoff, J. I., Joosen, I. A., Versteylen, M. O., Brill, A., Fuchs, T. A., Savchenko, A. S., Gallant, M., Martinod, K., ten Cate, H., Hofstra, L., Crijns, H. J., Wagner, D. D., & Kietselaer, B. L. J. H. (2013). Elevated Levels of Circulating DNA and Chromatin Are Independently Associated With Severe Coronary Atherosclerosis and a Prothrombotic State. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 33(8), 2032-2040. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.113.301627
    • Versteylen, M. O., Joosen, I. A., Winkens, M. H., Laufer, E. M., Snijder, R. J., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J., Narula, J., & Hofstra, L. (2013). Combined use of exercise electrocardiography, coronary calcium score and cardiac CT angiography for the prediction of major cardiovascular events in patients presenting with stable chest pain. International Journal of Cardiology, 167(1), 121-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.12.016
    • Alings, M., Smit, M. D., Moes, M. L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., Brugemann, J., Hillege, H. L., Lane, D. A., Lip, G. Y. H., Smeets, J. R. L. M., Tieleman, R. G., Tukkie, R., Willems, F. F., Vermond, R. A., Van Veldhuisen, D. J., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2013). Routine versus aggressive upstream rhythm control for prevention of early atrial fibrillation in heart failure: background, aims and design of the RACE 3 study. Netherlands Heart Journal, 21(7-8), 354-363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-013-0428-5
    • Versteylen, M. O., Kietselaer, B. L., Dagnelie, P. C., Joosen, I. A., Dedic, A., Raaijmakers, R. H., Wildberger, J. E., Nieman, K., Crijns, H. J., Niessen, W. J., Daemen, M. J., & Hofstra, L. (2013). Additive Value of Semiautomated Quantification of Coronary Artery Disease Using Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography to Predict Future Acute Coronary Syndrome. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 61(22), 2296-2305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2013.02.065
    • Groenveld, H. F., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., Alings, M., Hillege, H. L., Tuininga, Y. S., Van den Berg, M. P., van Veldhuisen, D. J., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2013). Rate control in atrial fibrillation, insight into the RACE II study. Netherlands Heart Journal, 21(4), 199-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-013-0391-1
    • Eckstein, J., Zeemering, S., Linz, D., Maesen, B., Verheule, S., van Hunnik, A., Crijns, H., Allessie, M. A., & Schotten, U. (2013). Transmural Conduction Is the Predominant Mechanism of Breakthrough During Atrial Fibrillation Evidence From Simultaneous Endo-Epicardial High-Density Activation Mapping. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 6(2), 334-341. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000342
    • Groenveld, H. F., Tijssen, J. G. P., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Van den Berg, M. P., Hillege, H. L., Alings, M., Van Veldhuisen, D. J., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2013). Rate Control Efficacy in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: Successful and Failed Strict Rate Control Against a Background of Lenient Rate Control. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 61(7), 741-748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.038
    • Immordino, L., Connolly, S., Crijns, H., Roy, D., Capucci, A., Radzik, D., Aliot, E., Hohnloser, S., & Kowey, P. (2013). Effects of Dronedarone Started Rapidly After Amiodarone Discontinuation. Clinical Cardiology, 36(2), 88-95. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.22090
    • La Meir, M., Gelsomino, S., Luca, F., Pison, L., Colella, A., Lorusso, R., Crudeli, E., Gensini, G. F., Crijns, H. G., & Maessen, J. (2013). Minimal invasive surgery for atrial fibrillation: an updated review. EP Europace, 15(2), 170-182. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus216
    • Pisters, R., Nieuwlaat, R., Lane, D. A., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Lip, G. Y. H. (2013). Potential net clinical benefit of population-wide implementation of apixaban and dabigatran among European patients with atrial fibrillation A modelling analysis from the Euro Heart Survey. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 109(2), 328-336. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH12-08-0539
    • Jaarsma, C., Schalla, S., Cheriex, E. C., Smulders, M. W., van Dongen, I., Nelemans, P. J., Gorgels, A. P. M., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Bekkers, B. (2013). Incremental value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance over echocardiography in the detection of acute and chronic myocardial infarction. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, 15, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1532-429X-15-5
    • Smulders, M. W., Kietselaer, B. L. J. H., Das, M., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Veenstra, L., Brunner La Rocca, H. P., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Mingels, A. M. A., Dagnelie, P. C., Post, M. J., Gorgels, A. P. M., van Asselt, A. D. I., Vogel, G., Schalla, S., Kim, R. J., & Bekkers, S. C. A. M. (2013). The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography angiography in suspected non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients: Design and rationale of the CARdiovascular Magnetic rEsoNance imaging and computed Tomography Angiography (CARMENTA) trial. American Heart Journal, 166(6), 968-975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2013.09.012
    • Weijs, B., de Vos, C. B., Tieleman, R. G., Peeters, F., Limantoro, I., Kroon, A. A., Cheriex, E. C., Pisters, R., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2013). The occurrence of cardiovascular disease during 5-year follow-up in patients with idiopathic atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 15(1), 18-23. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus203
  • 2012
    • Weijs, B., Pisters, R., Haest, R. J., Kragten, J. A., Joosen, I. A., Versteylen, M., Timmermans, C. C., Pison, L., Blaauw, Y., Hofstra, L., Nieuwlaat, R., Wildberger, J., & Crijns, H. J. (2012). Patients originally diagnosed with idiopathic atrial fibrillation more often suffer from insidious coronary artery disease compared to healthy sinus rhythm controls. Heart Rhythm, 9(12), 1923-1929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.08.013
    • Hendriks, J. M. L., de Wit, R., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vrijhoef, H. J. M., Prins, M. H., Pisters, R., Pison, L. A. F. G., Blaauw, Y., & Tieleman, R. G. (2012). Nurse-led care vs. usual care for patients with atrial fibrillation: results of a randomized trial of integrated chronic care vs. routine clinical care in ambulatory patients with atrial fibrillation. European Heart Journal, 33(21), 2692-2699. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehs071
    • Eurlings, L. W., van Wijk, S., van Kimmenade, R., Osinski, A., van Helmond, L., Vallinga, M., Crijns, H. J., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Brunner La Rocca, H. P., & Pinto, Y. M. (2012). Multimarker strategy for short-term risk assessment in patients with dyspnea in the emergency department: The marked (multi marker emergency dyspnea)-risk score. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 60(17), 1668-1677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2012.06.040
    • Crijns, H. J. G. M., Bash, L. D., Chazelle, F., Le Heuzey, J.-Y., Lewalter, T., Lip, G. Y. H., Maggioni, A. P., Martin, A., Ponikowski, P., Rosenqvist, M., Sanders, P., Scanavacca, M., Bernhardt, A. A., Unniachan, S., Phatak, H. M., & Gitt, A. K. (2012). RHYTHM-AF: design of an international registry on cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and characteristics of participating centers. BMC Cardiovascular disorders, 12, 85. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2261-12-85
    • Mulder, B. A., van Veldhuisen, D. J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Bohm, M., Cohen-Solal, A., Babalis, D., Roughton, M., Flather, M. D., Coats, A. J. S., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2012). Effect of nebivolol on outcome in elderly patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation: insights from SENIORS. European journal of heart failure, 14(10), 1171-1178. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hfs100
    • Lau, D. H., Maesen, B., Zeemering, S., Verheule, S., Crijns, H. J., & Schotten, U. (2012). Stability of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms: A Systematic Review. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 23(9), 980-987. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8167.2012.02335.x
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