Christopher John Knott-Craig, M.D.
Chief of Pediatric Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at
The Kirklin Clinic at UAB Health Center

PLACE OF BIRTH: Oudtshoorn, Cape Province, South Africa.
CITIZENSHIP: U.S.A.

 

SCHOOL EDUCATION:

1967-1971
 Oudtshoorn High School, Awards for Mathematics, Science and Latin in 1971.
1970-1971
Captain of High School Rugby Team.
1970-1971
Captain of High School Cricket Team.
1970-1971

Captain State High School Cricket Team.
1971
 Head Boy of Oudtshoorn High School, Chairman Head Students Committee.
1971
 Editor "Ad Astra" High School Newsletter.

 

MEDICAL EDUCATION:

1972-1977
 Completed M.B.Ch.B (Medical Degree) at University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital.
1975-1976
 Chairman of Medical Residence; Chairman of Head Students Committee; Member, University Residences Committee, University of Cape Town.
1978
 Completed internship at Groote Schuur Hospital with experience cardiac surgery under Professor Christiaan Barnard.
1979-1980

Military Service - Full Lieutenant in Medical Corps working in Traumatology (9 months) and Anaesthesiology (1 year).

 

POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION:

1981
 Medical Officer in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa.
1982-1986
 Resident in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa.
1986
 Board Certified with Master's Degree in Cardiothoracic Surgery (cum laude).
1986
 Received Dean's Outstanding Achievement Award and nominated as Best Postgraduate Resident in School of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch.
1987
 Faculty appointment as Specialist Cardiothoracic Surgeon at University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
1988
 Promoted to Senior Specialist, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa (senior faculty position).
1990
 Senior Specialist and Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
1991
Appointed as Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, and Staff Appointed to Veteran's Administration Hospital of Oklahoma City.
1997
Promoted to Professor of Surgery, Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.
2000
Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Children's Hospital of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK.

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LICENSURE AND REGISTRATION:

  • Board Certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Southern Africa (1987).
  • Fully licensed Physician in Great Britain. British Medical Council (1988).
  • Fully licensed in State of Oklahoma (1991).
  • Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (1990).
  • Fellow American College of Surgeons (FACS) 1997.

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ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Children's Hospital of Oklahoma Surgical Case Review Board, 1993 - 1997.
  • Children's Hospital of Oklahoma Medical Case Review Board, 1994 - Present
  • Children's Hospital of Oklahoma Neonatal ICU Committee,1993 - Present.
  • American Heart Association Telethon volunteer, 1993 - 95.
  • The University Hospital ICU Committee, 1994 - Present.
  • Editorial Board Oklahoma State Medical Association, 1994 - Present.
  • Editorial Board, Cardiovascular Journal of Southern Africa, 1991 - Present.
  • Member of Children's Hospital Physicians Committee, 2000 - Present.
  • CHO Operating Room Committee.
  • Member Membership Committee, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, 1999 - 2001.
  • Chairman Membership Committee, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, 2001 - Present.

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RESEARCH PROJECTS:

  1. Pathophysiology of cardiac tamponade in baboons (1982).
  2. Establishing an updated surgically orientated data base of the Mayo Clinic experience with the Fontan procedure (1989).
  3. Co-worker in Signal-averaged QRS potential to detect cardiac allograft rejection in swine (1991).
  4. Growth of pulmonary autografts in neonatal lambs (1992-94).
  5. Defining great artery size in patients with atrioventricular septal defects (1992).
  6. Co-worker on T-lymphocyte expression in thymocytes (1993-94).

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SOCIETAL AFFILIATIONS:

  • Member, Society of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Aldo R. Castaneda, 1986 - Present.
  • Member, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, 1994 - Present.
  • Member, Southern Africa Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 1987- Present.
  • Member, Southern Africa National Study Group for Carcinoma of the Esophagus, 1988 - Present.
  • Member, International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus 1988 - Present.
  • Member, Royal Society of Medicine, England, 1991 - Present.
  • Member, American Association of University Professors, 1992 - Present.
  • Member, Oklahoma Surgical Society 1994 - Present.
  • Member, Society Thoracic Surgeons 1995 - Present.
  • Honorary Member, American Association of Thoracic Surgery 1991 - Present.

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SPECIAL HONORS:

Received Dean's Award for Outstanding Achievement 1986, and nominated as Outstanding Postgraduate Resident of the Medical Faculty, University of Stellenbosch for 1986.

Four-month sabbatical as personal assistant to Marc R. DeLeval M.D. at Harley Street Clinic and Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormand Street, London, from February to April 1989.

Recipient of Evarts A. Graham Traveling Memorial Fellowship (1989-1990). Primary study center - Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, under Gordon K. Danielson, M.D.; Secondary study center - Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts under Aldo R. Castaneda, M.D., February - May 1990.

Inducted as Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), 1997.

Granted a private audience with Pope John Paul II in recognition of humanitarian cardiac surgery service in South Africa, February 1998.

Received President's Award from Southern Thoracic Surgical Association for Best Scientific Paper presented 44th Annual Meeting, 1997

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PROGRAMS INITIATED AT OUHSC:

  • Thoracoscopic thoracic surgery (The University Hospital), 1994.
  • Ambulatory pediatric closed cardiac surgery (Children's Hospital Oklahoma), 1995.
  • Integrated myocardial protection for high risk compromised ventricles (The University Hospital), 1996.
  • Ambulatory thoracic surgery (The University Hospital), 1998.
  • Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery - OPCAB. (The University Hospital), 1999.

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PUBLICATIONS:

  1. Knott-Craig CJ, Przybojewski JZ, Barnard PM: Penetrating wounds of the heart and great vessels - a new therapeutic approach. S Afr J Med 1982; 62:316-320.
  2. Przybojewski JZ, Knott-Craig CJ: Hyperkalemic complete heart block. S Afr J Med 1983; 63:413-420.
  3. Du Toit DF, Knott-Craig CJ: Bleeding from varicose veins - still potentially fatal. S Afr J Med 1985; 67:303.
  4. Knott-Craig CJ, Burhman Jr: Thromboembolism of the subclavian artery. S Afr J Med 1985; 67:428-429.
  5. Knott-Craig CJ, Du Toit DF, Van Schalkwyk P, Van Rensburg LCJ: Bolus obstruction of the intestine. S Afr J Med 1985; 67:1025-1026.
  6. Knott-Craig CJ, Barnard PM: Pulmonary rupture caused by rapid decompression of a post-lobectomy pneumothorax (letter). S Afr J Med 1985; 68:211-212.
  7. Du Toit DF, Sunshine M, Knott-Craig CJ: Gangrene of the hand and forearm after inadvertent intra-arterial injection of pyraxole. S Afr J Med 1985; 68:491-492.
  8. Du Toit DF, Knott-Craig CJ, Bake L: Recurrent pancreatitis after partial ileal bypass for hyperlipidemia. S Afr J Med 1985; 68:483-484.
  9. Knott-Craig CJ, Bokelman JF: Heparin-rebound bleeding after heparin reversal (letter). S Afr J Med 1985; 68:919.
  10. Knott-Craig CJ, Bokelman JF: Heparin rebound bleeding (letter). S Afr J Med 1986; 69:474-475.
  11. Pryzbojewski JZ, Vogts C, Hunter J, Knott-Craig CJ: Mitral stenosis with free-floating left arterial thrombus and recurrent systemic embolization. S Afr J Med 1987; 71:186-188.
  12. Knott-Craig CJ, Przybojewski JZ, Hunter J, Barnard PM: Infective endocarditis complicating mitral valve prolapse - successful management with mitral valve replacement in late pregnancy. Cardiovasc J S Afr 1991; 2:164-165.
  13. Rossouw G, Knott-Craig CJ, Barnard PM: Cardiac echinococcosis: Cyst removal in a beating heart. Ann Thorac Surg 1992; 53:328-9.
  14. Knott-Craig CJ, Dalton RP, Rossouw G, Barnard PM: Penetrating cardiac trauma - management strategy based on 129 surgical emergencies. Ann Thorac Surg 1992; 53:1006-9.
  15. Elkins RC, Santangelo K, Stelzer P, Randolph JW, Knott-Craig CJ: Pulmonary Autograft replacement of the Aortic valve: an evolution of technique. J Card Surg 1992; 7:108-16.
  16. Knott-Craig CJ, van der Merwe PL, Kalis, NN, Hunter, J: Surgical Repair of Ebstein's malformation associated with atrio-ventricular septal defect (A-V canal). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1992; 104:1497-99.
  17. Knott-Craig CJ, van der Merwe PL, Kalis NN, Hunter J: Diffuse central pulmonary artery hypoplasia and intact ventricular system - successful repair in infancy. Cardiovasc J S Afr 1992; 3:188-91.
  18. Knott-Craig CJ, van der Merwe PL, Kalis NN, Hunter, J: Repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel associated with subpulmonary stenosis. Ann Thorac Surg. 1992; 54:557-9.
  19. Knott-Craig CJ, Schaff HV, Mullany CJ, Kvols LK, Moertel CG, Edwards WD, Danielson GK: Carcinoid disease of the heart. Surgical management of ten patients. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1992; 104:475-81.
  20. Hedrick M, Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Razook JD: Successful thrombectomy for right heart thrombosis after the Fontan operation - a report of two cases and review of the literature. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993;105:297-301.
  21. Knott-Craig CJ, Julsrud PR, Schaff HV, Puga FJ, Jex RK, Danielson GK: Pulmonary artery size and clinical outcome after the modified Fontan operation. Ann Thorac Surg 1993; 55:646-51.
  22. Knott-Craig CJ, Oostuizen GO, Rossouw G, Joubert J, Barnard PM: Management and prognosis of massive hemoptysis - recent experience with 120 patients over 7 years. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993; 105:394-7.
  23. Hepner TW, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Ward KE, Overholt ED, van der Merwe PL, Razook JD: Therapeutic options in the management of congenital coronary artery fistulae. Cardiovasc J S Afr 1993;4(1):16-19.
  24. Elkins RC, Santangelo KL, Randolph JD, Knott-Craig CJ, Stelzer P, Thompson WM, Razook JD, Ward KE, Overholt EO: Pulmonary autograft replacement in children - The ideal solution? Ann Surg 1992; 216:363-71.
  25. Rossouw GJ, Knott-Craig CJ, Barnard PM: Intracardiac surgery in seven pregnant women. Ann Thorac Surg 1993; 55:1172-4.
  26. Dorheim T, Knott-Craig CJ, Ward KE, Sheldon R, Elkins RC. Management of central venous catheter-related atrial thrombus in a preterm neonate - a case report. Paediatr Anaesth 1993; 3:239-41.
  27. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Ward KE, et al: Neonatal coarctation repair - influence of technique on late results (abstract) Circulation 1992; 86(Suppl):182.
  28. Falcon O, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC: Gunshot wounds traversing the mediastinum - guidelines for evaluation and management. J Okla State Med Assoc 1994;87(4):174-77.
  29. Ahn JH, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Lane MM, Overholt ED: Sizes of the descending aorta and pulmonary artery in infants with atrioventricular septal defect. Cardiol Young 1994; 4:51-54.
  30. Knox L, Tuggle D, Knott-Craig CJ. Repair of sternal cleft in adolescence and infancy. J Pediatr Surg 1994; 29(12):1513-6.
  31. Ahn JH, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC. Descending aortic index and pulmonary artery index in infants: comparison between AVSDs, ASDs, and VSDs. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993; 26:591-4.
  32. Knott-Craig CJ, Schaff HV, Puga FJ, Julsrud PR, Danielson GK. Therapeutic implications of intraoperative pressure measurements after the Fontan operation. Ann Thorac Surg 1994;57:937-40.
  33. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Randolph JD, Razook JR, Ward KE, Overholt ED, Lane MM. Medium term follow-up of pulmonary autograft replacement aortic valves in children. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1994;8:379-383.
  34. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Razook JD, Ward KE, Overholt EO, Lane MM. Pulmonary autograft replacement of the aortic valve in the potential parent. J Card Surg 1994;9 (Suppl):198-203.
  35. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Randolph JR, Stelzer PL, McCue C, Wright P, Lane MM. Homograft replacement of the aortic valve and root as a functional unit. Ann Thorac Surg 1994;57:1501-6.
  36. Knott-Craig CJ, Oostuizen JG, Roussouw G, Joubert JR, Barnard PM. Management and prognosis of massive hemoptysis: recent experience with 120 patients. (abstract) JAMA 1993; 270(15):1805.
  37. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Ward KE, et al. Neonatal coarctation repair - influence of technique on late results. Circulation 1993; 88(5):198-204.
  38. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Ahn JH, Murray CK, Overholt ED, Ward KE, Razook JR. Ventricular function after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. Ann Thorac Surg 1994; 57:826-31.
  39. Knott-Craig CJ, Danielson GK, Schaff HV, Puga FJ, Weaver A, Driscoll D. The modified Fontan operation - an analysis of risk factors for early death or takedown in 702 consecutive patients from one institution. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995; 109:1237-43.
  40. Icaza EE, Stafford HA, Anderson CJ, Knott-Craig CJ, Schipul AH. The expression of surface antigen reactive to anti-ribosomal antibody (ARA) on T-lymphocytes at different stages in development. (in press, 1997)
  41. Ahn JH, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Lane MM, Overholt ED: Great artery size in infants with large left-to-right intracardiac shunts. Cardiovasc J S Afr 1994; 5:215-17.
  42. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Ward KE, McCue C, Lane MM. Pulmonary autograft in children : realized growth potential. Ann Thorac Surg 1994; 57:1387-94.
  43. Knott-Craig CJ. Congenital heart surgery - past, present, and future. Cardiovasc J S Afr 1994; 5(2):76-81.
  44. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Ramakrishnan K et al. Associated ASDs increase perioperative morbidity following VSD repair in infancy. Ann Thorac Surg 1995; 59:573-8.
  45. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Ramakrishnan K, Ward KE, et al. Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot in 200 consecutive patients - a 23 year experience from one institution. Cardiovasc J S Afr 1994;5(suppl):33. (abstract)
  46. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Ward KE, McCue C, Lane MM. Pulmonary autograft in children : realized growth potential. Cardiovasc J S Afr 1994;5 (suppl):21. (abstract)
  47. Ahn JH, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC. Complications after Senning Operation for TGA with and without VSD. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1993; 26:595-603.
  48. Ahn JH, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC. Early and late complications after Arterial Switch Operation for transposition of the Great Arteries - 7 year experience. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1994;27:746-51.
  49. Chandrasekaran K, Chohan A, Knott-Craig CJ et al. Autograft and homograft valves for aortic valve replacement in adult patients. (abstract) Circulation 1995; 92(8):I-516.
  50. Knott-Craig CJ. Resuscitate the Esophagus. J Okla State Med Assoc 1995;10:13-14.
  51. Knott-Craig CJ, Fryar-Dragg T, Overholt ED, Razook JR, Ward KE, Elkins RC. The modified Hemi-Fontan operation - an alternative definitive palliation for high risk patients. Ann Thorac Surg 1995;60:S554-7.
  52. Ahn JH, Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, et al. Growth of Pulmonary autograft in swine. Feasibility of the operation. Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995;28:885-91.
  53. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Howell CE. Pulmonary autografts in patients with aortic annulus dysplasia. Ann Thorac Surg 1996;61:1141-5.
  54. Parker JR, Knott-Craig CJ, Min KW, Uzelmeier WJ. Cellular hemangioma of the posterior mediastinum: an unusual presentation of a rare vascular neoplasm. J Okla State Med Assoc 1997;90:7-9.
  55. Ward KE, Elkins RC, Overholt EO, Knott-Craig CJ, Lane MM, Gilliland SS. Evaluation of homograft function after the Ross procedure in children: intermediate term follow-up. AHA 1996 (abstract).
  56. Sebastian C, Knott-Craig CJ, Chandrasekeran K, Sivaram CA, Kugelmass AD, Lazzara R. Giant coronary pseudoaneurysm causing pulmonary obstruction: a rare complication of coronary bypass surgery. Angiology 1997;48(12)1073-78.
  57. Ward KE, Elkins RC, Overholt EO, Knott-Craig CJ et al. Evaluation of cryopreserved homografts in the right ventricular outflow tract after the Ross procedure: intermediate term follow-up. J Heart Valve Dis 6:130-3, 1997.
  58. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Carolyn McCue, Lane MM. Congenital aortic valve disease: improved survival and quality of life. Ann Surg 225:503-11, 1997.
  59. Knott-Craig CJ, Howell CE, Parsons BD, Paulsen SM, Brown BB, Elkins RC. Improved results in the management of surgical candidates with lung cancer. Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:1405-1410.
  60. Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Ward KE, Lane MM. The Ross operation in children: 10 year-experience. Ann Thorac Surg 65:496-502, 1997.
  61. Sebastian C, Asirvatham S, Chandrasekeran K, Knott-Craig CJ. Isolated obliterative right ventricular cardiomyopathy with severe hypoxia and othodeoxia in ideopathic Hypereosinophilic syndrome. (in press, Am J Cardiac Imaging 1999).
  62. Van Son JAM, Knott-Craig CJ, Julsrud PR, Mair DD, Offord KP, Danielson GK. Comparison of preoperative and intraoperative measurements of cross-sectional area in patients undergoing the Fontan operation (In press, 1998).
  63. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Lane MM, Holz J, McCue C, Ward KE. A 26-year experience with surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot: risk analysis for mortality or late reintervention. Ann Thorac Surg 1998;66:506-11.
  64. Trotter TH, Knott-Craig CJ, Ward KE. Blunt injury r pture of tricuspid valve and right coronary artery. Ann Thorac Surg 1998;66:1814-16.
  65. Niwaya K, Knott-Craig CJ, Lane MM, Chandraskaren K, Overholt ED, Elkins RC. Cryopreserved homograft valves in the pulmonary position - risk analysis for intermediate-term failure. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:141-7.
  66. Niwaya K, Knott-Craig CJ, Santangelo K, Lane MM, Chandrasekeran K, Elkins RC. Advantage of autograft and homograft valve replacement for complex aortic valve endocarditis. Ann Thorac Surg 1999; 67:1603-8.
  67. Niwaya K, Elkins RC, Knott-Craig CJ, Santangelo K, Cannon BM, Lane MM. Normalization of left ventricular dimensions after Ross operation with aortic annular reduction. Ann Thorac Surg 1999; 68:812-819.
  68. Knott-Craig CJ, Overholt EO, Ward KE, Razook JD. Neonatal repair of Ebstein's anomaly - indications, surgical technique, and medium-term follow-up. Ann Thorac Surg 2000;69:1505-1510.
  69. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC, Santangelo KL, McCue C, Lane MM. Aortic valve replacement: comparison of late survival between autografts and homografts. Ann Thorac Surg 2000;69:1327-32.
  70. Knott-Craig CJ, Overholt EO, Ward KE, Razook JD. Ebstein's anomaly and related conditions - complete repair in the severely symptomatic neonate. Cardiol Young 2001; 11 (1): 154 abstract.
  71. Sebastian C, Asirvatham S, Chandrasekeran K, Knott-Craig CJ. Isolated obliterative right ventricular cardiomyopathy with severe hypoxia and othodeoxia in ideopathic Hypereosinophilic syndrome. Am J Cardiac Imaging (in press).

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BOOK CHAPTERS PUBLISHED:

  1. Knott-Craig CJ. Perception and Sensitivity. In Cooper D, ed. Chris Barnard - by those who knew him. 1st Ed, Vlaeberg 1992.
  2. Knott-Craig CJ, Oostuizen JG, Roussouw G, Joubert JR, Barnard PM. Management and prognosis of massive hemoptysis: recent experience with 120 patients (abstract). In Ginsberg RJ, Lofland GK, Wechsler AS. Year Book of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 1994. Mosby St Louis 1994, Chapter 4:30-31.
  3. Knott-Craig CJ, Julsrud PR, Schaff HV, Puga FJ, Jex RK, Danielson GK: Pulmonary artery size and clinical outcome after the modified Fontan operation. (abstract). In Ginsberg RJ, Lofland GK, Wechsler AS. Year Book of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 1994. Mosby St Louis 1994, Chapter 17:292-93.
  4. Knott-Craig CJ, Schaff HV, Puga FJ, Julsrud PR, Danielson GK. Therapeutic implications of intraoperative pressure measurements after the Fontan operation. (abstract). In Ginsberg RJ, Lofland GK, Wechsler AS. Year Book of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 1995. Mosby St Louis 1995, Chapter 5:57-58.
  5. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC. Chest Wall Trauma. In Cameron JL, ed. Current Surgical Therapy, 5th Ed. Mosby St Louis, 1995: 580-83.
  6. Knott-Craig CJ, Elkins RC. Chest Wall Trauma. In Cameron JL, ed. Current Surgical Therapy, 5th Ed. Mosby St Louis, 1995: 580-83.
  7. Knott-Craig CJ. Ventricular Septal Defects. In Kaiser LR, Kron IL, Spray TL, eds. Mastery in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Lippincott-Raven Philadelphia 1998.
  8. Knott-Craig CJ, Trotter TH. Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis. In Yang SC, Cameron DE, eds. Current Therapy in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 1st edition. 2001 (in press).

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