← Issue №3/ week of Jul 19, 2026/ the whole section, in full

IBD, in full.

All 5 IBD papers in this issue, as full cards, ranked by clinical utility. The issue page carries the strongest few; this is the section, whole.

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most clinically useful first · the 1 the issue led with is ruled in green
IBD rct · n=32 · Jul 24, 2026 · Gut · IF 24.6

Ustekinumab for fistulising perianal Crohn's disease: a randomised placebo-controlled trial from the GETAID.

New therapyCrohn's diseaseustekinumabbiologicsperianal disease
Clinical takeawayConsider ustekinumab for patients with active fistulising perianal Crohn's disease, particularly those with prior anti-TNF failure, after standardised surgical management.
What it foundUstekinumab achieved combined clinical and radiological remission in 62% vs 25% with placebo at week 12 (OR=5.1, 95% CI 1.07-24.4).
ContextThis trial provides new evidence supporting ustekinumab's efficacy in a challenging subset of Crohn's disease, where few randomised controlled trials have been conducted.
Emergingsuggested applicable standard· American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), "The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anorectal Abscess, Fistula-in-Ano, and Rectovaginal Fistula" (Gaertner WB, Burgess PL, Davids JS, et al.), Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 2022;65(8):964-985, doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000002473

Decision at stakethe management of fistulising perianal Crohn's disease

No single passage of this standard matched the paper closely enough to quote, so none is shown. The standard is cited above.

Our full summary of this standard

Diagnose anorectal abscess and fistula-in-ano clinically: a disease-specific history and physical examination assessing symptoms, relevant history, abscess and fistula location, and secondary cellulitis (1C), with digital rectal exam and anoscopy/proctoscopy as needed. Routine diagnostic imaging is NOT typically necessary (1B); reserve imaging for selected patients with occult abscess, recurrent or complex fistula, immunosuppression, or anorectal Crohn's disease (MRI sensitivity 97% vs 74% for endoanal ultrasound in complex fistula; combined accuracy approaches 100%). Treat acute anorectal abscess promptly with incision and drainage (1C), placing the incision close to the anal verge to limit subsequent tract length and preserve the sphincter complex; packing is not required and unpacked wounds gave better resolution, less pain and faster healing in randomized trials. Reserve antibiotics for abscess complicated by cellulitis, systemic signs of infection, or underlying immunosuppression (2B); routine antibiotics after uncomplicated drainage in healthy patients do not improve healing or reduce recurrence, and conversely immunosuppressed patients with low neutrophil counts and no fluctuance may initially be treated with antibiotics alone rather than drainage. Concomitant fistulotomy at the time of drainage may be performed in selected patients with a simple anal fistula (2B), balancing lower recurrence (RR 0.13 in a 479-patient meta-analysis) against a non-significant increase in continence disturbance. For simple fistula-in-ano with normal sphincter function, lay-open fistulotomy heals over 90% (1B); for low fistulas involving less than one third of the external sphincter the clinically significant incontinence risk is minimal, and marsupialization improves healing and reduces bleeding. Sphincter-preserving options: endorectal advancement flap (1B; 66% to 87% initial healing, but up to 35% mild-to-moderate incontinence) and, for transsphincteric tracts, ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) (1B; 76% pooled success, 1.4% incontinence). A cutting seton may be used selectively for complex cryptoglandular fistula (2C, downgraded from 2B; reported incontinence ranges 0% to 67%). The anal fistula plug and fibrin glue are relatively ineffective (1B, upgraded from 2B; contemporary healing 50% or less). Endoscopic or laser closure techniques (VAAFT, FiLaC, OTSC) have reasonable short-term healing but unknown long-term healing and recurrence rates (2C). In Crohn's disease, where abscess and fistula arise from penetrating inflammation rather than cryptoglandular infection, management is multidisciplinary and a draining seton is typically useful and may be used for long-term disease control (1B, upgraded from 1C); Crohn's disease is a named risk factor for failure or recurrence of fistulotomy, advancement flap, LIFT, and plug.

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), "The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anorectal Abscess, Fistula-in-Ano, and Rectovaginal Fistula" (Gaertner WB, Burgess PL, Davids JS, et al.), Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 2022;65(8):964-985, doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000002473 · reviewed 2026-07-19 ↗
Wils P … Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du Tube Digestif (GETAID) · Gut · IF 24.6 · PubMed ↗Permalink
IBD guideline · Jul 22, 2026 · Clin Gastro Hep · IF 16.2

New Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis in the Modern Treatment Era: A Modified Delphi Consensus by REFINED-ASUC.

Guideline / reviewulcerative colitisguideline
Clinical takeawayUse these criteria to diagnose ASUC in patients on outpatient corticosteroids or biologics; the 1955 Truelove-Witts criteria did not account for treated patients and could miss ASUC in this population. Confirm diagnosis with endoscopy (exclude CMV superinfection) and imaging (exclude toxic megacolon). For patients on high-dose corticosteroids, apply the lower CRP threshold (≥1x ULN) and bloody-stool threshold (≥33%) to account for anti-inflammatory suppression.
What it foundConsensus diagnostic criteria for ASUC in treated patients: all 3 major criteria (CRP ≥2x ULN, ≥6 stools/24 hours, ≥50% with visible blood) plus ≥2 of 6 minor criteria (hypoalbuminemia, tachycardia, nocturnal defecation, anemia, fever, leukocytosis); high-dose corticosteroid subgroup uses modified thresholds (CRP ≥1x ULN, ≥33% bloody stools).
ContextAddresses a gap in Truelove-Witts (1955), which did not distinguish between treatment-naive and treated patients; ASUC can be missed in those already on maintenance therapy. These updated criteria incorporate modern immunosuppressive treatment and advanced therapies.
Measured against the standard of care· AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults With IBD (Gastroenterology 2026) / ACG UC Guideline Update 2025 / AGA Living Guideline, Moderate-to-Severe UC 2024 (panel review March 2026)

Decision at stakeidentify acute severe ulcerative colitis using diagnostic criteria to guide inpatient IV-steroid management

No single passage of this standard matched the paper closely enough to quote, so none is shown. The standard is cited above.

Our full summary of this standard

Outpatient positioning is unchanged from the ACG 2025 UC guideline and the AGA living guideline for moderate-to-severe UC. Confirm UC with endoscopy showing continuous colonic inflammation from the rectum plus histology, after excluding infection with two-step C. difficile testing. Treat mild-moderate disease with 5-ASA chosen by route and extent: suppository for proctitis, enema for left-sided disease, oral plus rectal for extensive disease. If 5-ASA fails, treat as moderate-to-severe rather than stepping up gradually. Position advanced therapy by efficacy tier, not by an anti-TNF-first rule. Advanced-therapy-naive, higher efficacy: infliximab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod, upadacitinib, risankizumab, guselkumab. Intermediate: golimumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, filgotinib, mirikizumab. Lower: adalimumab. Previously TNF-exposed, higher efficacy: tofacitinib, upadacitinib, ustekinumab. Lower: adalimumab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod. After anti-TNF primary non-response, switch mechanism rather than cycling within the class. Treat to target (STRIDE-II): endoscopic improvement, Mayo endoscopic subscore 0-1. Begin CRC surveillance 8-10 years after diagnosis for extensive or left-sided disease; isolated proctitis follows average-risk screening. Inpatient care now follows the 2026 AGA Clinical Practice Update (13 best-practice statements). Admit for severe symptoms refractory to outpatient therapy, suspected complications (obstruction, abscess, toxic megacolon) or significant malnutrition, and identify acute severe UC by Truelove-Witts. Give every patient admitted with diarrhea two-step C. difficile testing. Test for CMV, with early endoscopy, if symptoms worsen, the patient is systemically toxic or disease is steroid-refractory. Give routine VTE prophylaxis with LMWH or fondaparinux unless contraindicated, and individualize post-discharge extension. Give IV methylprednisolone 60 mg/day or equivalent; the AGA living guideline says 40-60 mg/day, and higher doses add no benefit. Do not give adjunctive antibiotics without infection. Involve surgery early. Assess response by day 3 (72 h) using stool frequency and CRP (Oxford criteria); do not continue IV steroids beyond about 7 days without response. Rescue steroid non-responders with infliximab (accelerated or intensified dosing in selected patients with high inflammatory burden or protein-losing colopathy), cyclosporine, or a JAK inhibitor at standard or intensified dosing, or with colectomy. Before discharge, the response should be stable and a transition plan should be in place.

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults With IBD (Gastroenterology 2026) / ACG UC Guideline Update 2025 / AGA Living Guideline, Moderate-to-Severe UC 2024 (panel review March 2026) · reviewed 2026-10-11 ↗
Raine T … Higgins PDR · Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · IF 16.2 · PubMed ↗Permalink
IBD meta analysis · n=653 · Jul 20, 2026 · BMC Gastro · IF 2.5

Meta-analysis: safety and efficacy of ustekinumab in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients with anti-TNF failure.

New evidencemeta-analysispediatricustekinumabanti-TNF
Clinical takeawayIn pediatric IBD patients with prior anti-TNF failure, consider UST as a second-line therapy. The remission rates (69% in Crohn's disease, 65% in ulcerative colitis at week 52) and favorable safety profile support offering this when anti-TNF does not work. Note that UC findings are based on limited data and warrant cautious interpretation.
What it foundUST achieved 68% clinical remission at week 52 (95% CI 58-79%) and 58% steroid-free remission in pediatric IBD patients with prior anti-TNF failure; adverse events in 20% and serious adverse events in 1%.
ContextAnti-TNF therapy is first-line for moderate-severe pediatric IBD. Options after anti-TNF failure were previously sparse in the pediatric population. This meta-analysis of 15 studies establishes UST as an evidence-based alternative for treatment-refractory pediatric IBD, clarifying a key decision point for children who do not respond to initial therapy.
Measured against the standard of care· AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults With IBD (Gastroenterology 2026) / ACG UC Guideline Update 2025 / AGA Living Guideline, Moderate-to-Severe UC 2024 (panel review March 2026)

Decision at stakeuse ustekinumab as second-line therapy in pediatric ulcerative colitis after anti-TNF failure

… Intermediate: golimumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, filgotinib, mirikizumab. … Previously TNF-exposed, higher efficacy: tofacitinib, upadacitinib, ustekinumab. … After anti-TNF primary non-response, switch mechanism rather than cycling within the class. …

From our summary of this standard, unedited — the part the paper bears on. … marks omitted text. Our wording, not the guideline's; read the source for its own text.

Our full summary of this standard

Outpatient positioning is unchanged from the ACG 2025 UC guideline and the AGA living guideline for moderate-to-severe UC. Confirm UC with endoscopy showing continuous colonic inflammation from the rectum plus histology, after excluding infection with two-step C. difficile testing. Treat mild-moderate disease with 5-ASA chosen by route and extent: suppository for proctitis, enema for left-sided disease, oral plus rectal for extensive disease. If 5-ASA fails, treat as moderate-to-severe rather than stepping up gradually. Position advanced therapy by efficacy tier, not by an anti-TNF-first rule. Advanced-therapy-naive, higher efficacy: infliximab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod, upadacitinib, risankizumab, guselkumab. Intermediate: golimumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, filgotinib, mirikizumab. Lower: adalimumab. Previously TNF-exposed, higher efficacy: tofacitinib, upadacitinib, ustekinumab. Lower: adalimumab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod. After anti-TNF primary non-response, switch mechanism rather than cycling within the class. Treat to target (STRIDE-II): endoscopic improvement, Mayo endoscopic subscore 0-1. Begin CRC surveillance 8-10 years after diagnosis for extensive or left-sided disease; isolated proctitis follows average-risk screening. Inpatient care now follows the 2026 AGA Clinical Practice Update (13 best-practice statements). Admit for severe symptoms refractory to outpatient therapy, suspected complications (obstruction, abscess, toxic megacolon) or significant malnutrition, and identify acute severe UC by Truelove-Witts. Give every patient admitted with diarrhea two-step C. difficile testing. Test for CMV, with early endoscopy, if symptoms worsen, the patient is systemically toxic or disease is steroid-refractory. Give routine VTE prophylaxis with LMWH or fondaparinux unless contraindicated, and individualize post-discharge extension. Give IV methylprednisolone 60 mg/day or equivalent; the AGA living guideline says 40-60 mg/day, and higher doses add no benefit. Do not give adjunctive antibiotics without infection. Involve surgery early. Assess response by day 3 (72 h) using stool frequency and CRP (Oxford criteria); do not continue IV steroids beyond about 7 days without response. Rescue steroid non-responders with infliximab (accelerated or intensified dosing in selected patients with high inflammatory burden or protein-losing colopathy), cyclosporine, or a JAK inhibitor at standard or intensified dosing, or with colectomy. Before discharge, the response should be stable and a transition plan should be in place.

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults With IBD (Gastroenterology 2026) / ACG UC Guideline Update 2025 / AGA Living Guideline, Moderate-to-Severe UC 2024 (panel review March 2026) · reviewed 2026-10-11 ↗
Heng Z … Liu Y · BMC Gastroenterology · IF 2.5 · PubMed ↗Permalink
IBD prospective cohort · n=50 · Jul 22, 2026 · Inflamm Bowel Dis · IF 4.5

Upadacitinib as a rescue therapy for steroid- and infliximab-refractory acute severe ulcerative colitis: short- and long-term effectiveness and safety in a multicenter cohort study.

New evidenceulcerative colitisJAK inhibitors
Clinical takeawayIn hospitalized patients with ASUC refractory to IV corticosteroids and infliximab, use upadacitinib as a third-line rescue therapy. Early response is evident by week 1 (60% clinical remission); among patients continuing treatment, improvements in symptoms and CRP are maintained through week 48 (51% CR). However, 48% discontinued by week 48, primarily due to nonresponse (42%) or loss of response (46%). Colectomy occurred in 22% (elevated with higher baseline CRP). Monitor baseline CRP as a risk factor for colectomy.
What it foundIn ASUC patients who failed IV corticosteroids and infliximab, upadacitinib achieved clinical remission in 60% by week 1 and 51% by week 48, with colectomy in 22% and adverse events in 24% (nearly all nonsevere).
ContextDemonstrates upadacitinib induces rapid remission in steroid- and infliximab-refractory ASUC with acceptable safety (24% adverse events, nearly all nonsevere), supporting its use as a third-line rescue option when initial biologic therapies fail. Sustained response observed in patients who continue therapy.
Measured against the standard of care· AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults With IBD (Gastroenterology 2026) / ACG UC Guideline Update 2025 / AGA Living Guideline, Moderate-to-Severe UC 2024 (panel review March 2026)

Decision at stakeUse JAK inhibitors as third-line rescue therapy for acute severe ulcerative colitis refractory to intravenous corticosteroids and anti-TNF agents

… Admit for severe symptoms refractory to outpatient therapy, suspected complications (obstruction, abscess, toxic megacolon) or significant malnutrition, and identify acute severe UC by Truelove-Witts. … Rescue steroid non-responders with infliximab (accelerated or intensified dosing in selected patients with high inflammatory burden or protein-losing colopathy), cyclosporine, or a JAK inhibitor at standard or intensified dosing, or with colectomy. …

From our summary of this standard, unedited — the part the paper bears on. … marks omitted text. Our wording, not the guideline's; read the source for its own text.

Our full summary of this standard

Outpatient positioning is unchanged from the ACG 2025 UC guideline and the AGA living guideline for moderate-to-severe UC. Confirm UC with endoscopy showing continuous colonic inflammation from the rectum plus histology, after excluding infection with two-step C. difficile testing. Treat mild-moderate disease with 5-ASA chosen by route and extent: suppository for proctitis, enema for left-sided disease, oral plus rectal for extensive disease. If 5-ASA fails, treat as moderate-to-severe rather than stepping up gradually. Position advanced therapy by efficacy tier, not by an anti-TNF-first rule. Advanced-therapy-naive, higher efficacy: infliximab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod, upadacitinib, risankizumab, guselkumab. Intermediate: golimumab, ustekinumab, tofacitinib, filgotinib, mirikizumab. Lower: adalimumab. Previously TNF-exposed, higher efficacy: tofacitinib, upadacitinib, ustekinumab. Lower: adalimumab, vedolizumab, ozanimod, etrasimod. After anti-TNF primary non-response, switch mechanism rather than cycling within the class. Treat to target (STRIDE-II): endoscopic improvement, Mayo endoscopic subscore 0-1. Begin CRC surveillance 8-10 years after diagnosis for extensive or left-sided disease; isolated proctitis follows average-risk screening. Inpatient care now follows the 2026 AGA Clinical Practice Update (13 best-practice statements). Admit for severe symptoms refractory to outpatient therapy, suspected complications (obstruction, abscess, toxic megacolon) or significant malnutrition, and identify acute severe UC by Truelove-Witts. Give every patient admitted with diarrhea two-step C. difficile testing. Test for CMV, with early endoscopy, if symptoms worsen, the patient is systemically toxic or disease is steroid-refractory. Give routine VTE prophylaxis with LMWH or fondaparinux unless contraindicated, and individualize post-discharge extension. Give IV methylprednisolone 60 mg/day or equivalent; the AGA living guideline says 40-60 mg/day, and higher doses add no benefit. Do not give adjunctive antibiotics without infection. Involve surgery early. Assess response by day 3 (72 h) using stool frequency and CRP (Oxford criteria); do not continue IV steroids beyond about 7 days without response. Rescue steroid non-responders with infliximab (accelerated or intensified dosing in selected patients with high inflammatory burden or protein-losing colopathy), cyclosporine, or a JAK inhibitor at standard or intensified dosing, or with colectomy. Before discharge, the response should be stable and a transition plan should be in place.

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults With IBD (Gastroenterology 2026) / ACG UC Guideline Update 2025 / AGA Living Guideline, Moderate-to-Severe UC 2024 (panel review March 2026) · reviewed 2026-10-11 ↗
Ünal NG … Çelik AF · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · IF 4.5 · PubMed ↗Permalink
IBD retrospective · Jul 20, 2026 · Clin Gastro Hep · IF 16.2

Malignancy risk associated with upadacitinib in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a comparison with u.s. and global cancer registries.

New evidenceJAK inhibitorsepidemiology
Clinical takeawayContinue considering upadacitinib for post-anti-TNF patients, with explicit malignancy screening and ongoing surveillance informed by comparative risk data
What it foundEmpirical characterization of malignancy risk with upadacitinib compared to U.S. and global cancer registries
ContextA single specialty-journal study from the past 7 days reports malignancy risk associated with upadacitinib in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases based on registry comparison, but the evidence base is too limited to support consensus across clinical-evidence tiers.
Measured against the standard of care· ACG 2025 (Lichtenstein et al., Am J Gastroenterol) / AGA Living Guideline 2025 (Scott et al., Gastroenterology) / AGA Clinical Practice Update on Therapeutic Endoscopy in IBD 2026 (CGH)

Decision at stakeUsing upadacitinib for induction and maintenance in patients previously exposed to anti-TNF agents

… Suggest against thiopurine monotherapy for induction; suggest it for maintenance of remission. … The ACG 2025 moderate-to-severe recommendations (anti-TNF, IFX + thiopurine combination and IL-12/23/IL-23 agents, each strong/moderate; upadacitinib after anti-TNF exposure; steroids for short-term induction only; TPMT/NUDT15 testing before thiopurines) still stand alongside AGA. …

From our summary of this standard, unedited — the part the paper bears on. … marks omitted text. Our wording, not the guideline's; read the source for its own text. The rest of this standard includes DIAGNOSIS.

Our full summary of this standard

Two current US guidelines govern Crohn's disease and should be read together. ACG 2025 (Lichtenstein et al.) remains the reference for diagnosis, mild-to-moderate disease, perianal, postoperative and abscess management. DIAGNOSIS: fecal calprotectin (>50-100 μg/g) separates inflammatory from noninflammatory disease of the colon. Workup is ileocolonoscopy with biopsies, including uninvolved mucosa, plus small-bowel imaging. CTE and MRE are comparable; prefer MRE in patients <35 y and when serial exams are likely. Intestinal ultrasound is an ungraded adjunct. Do routine CRC surveillance in Crohn's colitis. MILD-TO-MODERATE: recommend against oral mesalamine; sulfasalazine only for symptomatic mild colonic CD; ileal-release budesonide 9 mg for induction in ileocecal disease but not for maintenance. MODERATE-TO-SEVERE (AGA Living Guideline, Scott et al., Gastroenterology 2025;169(7):1397-1448, 16 recommendations: 1 strong, 9 conditional, 6 knowledge gaps; updated quarterly, adult outpatients only): RECOMMEND infliximab, adalimumab, ustekinumab, risankizumab, mirikizumab, guselkumab or upadacitinib over no treatment; SUGGEST certolizumab pegol or vedolizumab over no treatment. Advanced-therapy-naive: suggest higher-efficacy agents (infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, risankizumab, mirikizumab, guselkumab) over lower-efficacy ones (certolizumab pegol, upadacitinib). Prior advanced-therapy (especially anti-TNF) exposure: suggest higher- or intermediate-efficacy agents (adalimumab, risankizumab, guselkumab, upadacitinib; ustekinumab, mirikizumab) over lower-efficacy ones (vedolizumab, certolizumab pegol). Suggest against thiopurine monotherapy for induction; suggest it for maintenance of remission. Suggest SC/IM methotrexate monotherapy; suggest against oral methotrexate. In thiopurine-naive patients starting infliximab, suggest infliximab + thiopurine over infliximab alone. No recommendation on IFX + MTX, adalimumab + immunomodulator, or non-TNF biologic + immunomodulator. After ≥6 months of steroid-free remission on anti-TNF + immunomodulator, suggest withdrawing the immunomodulator and suggest against withdrawing the anti-TNF. SUGGEST upfront advanced therapy over step-up therapy (corticosteroids and/or immunomodulator first). No recommendation on treating to endoscopic vs symptomatic remission. The ACG 2025 moderate-to-severe recommendations (anti-TNF, IFX + thiopurine combination and IL-12/23/IL-23 agents, each strong/moderate; upadacitinib after anti-TNF exposure; steroids for short-term induction only; TPMT/NUDT15 testing before thiopurines) still stand alongside AGA. ACG perianal (infliximab first; drain abscesses and place setons before escalating), postoperative (endoscopy at 6-12 months; anti-TNF strong, vedolizumab conditional in high-risk patients) and intra-abdominal abscess (>2 cm: antibiotics plus drainage, hold immunosuppression) positions are unchanged. THERAPEUTIC ENDOSCOPY (AGA Clinical Practice Update, CGH 2026; details below come from AGA news coverage, not the full text, and are ungraded advice): get cross-sectional imaging before the procedure. Endoscopic balloon dilation is first-line for short strictures (about ≤4-5 cm) with few risk factors (fistula, prestenotic dilation >5 cm, high CRP, prior anti-TNF). Longer or multiple strictures, or ≥3 risk factors, favor surgery.

ACG 2025 (Lichtenstein et al., Am J Gastroenterol) / AGA Living Guideline 2025 (Scott et al., Gastroenterology) / AGA Clinical Practice Update on Therapeutic Endoscopy in IBD 2026 (CGH) · reviewed 2026-10-11 ↗
Faggiani I … Ma C · Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · IF 16.2 · PubMed ↗Permalink
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