1.Comparison of Efficacy and Mechanism in Warming Yang and Dispersing Cold of Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata Processed by ZHANG Zhongjing's Method and Pharmacopoeia Method
Mingjie JIAO ; Qian CHEN ; Shuyu YAN ; Yiyan SONG ; Jia ZHANG ; Fei LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):207-217
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of decoctions from four kinds of processed products of Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata(ARLP) in deficiency-cold syndrome. MethodsA total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Shengfupian(SFP) group, Paofuzi(PFZ) group, Heishunpian(HSP) group and Paofupian(PFP) group with 6 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats in other groups were administered hydrocortisone sodium succinate via intramuscular injection to induce a cold deficiency syndrome model. After 14 consecutive days, each ARLP decoction pieces was administered via continuous gastric lavage at a dose of 12 g·kg-1·d-1 for 7 d, while the control and model groups received an equivalent volume of physiological saline. After the end of administration, body weight, spleen weight and thymus weight were measured for calculating the spleen and thymus indexes. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of adrenal tissue. The fully automatic biochemistry analyzer was used to measure the total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) and lactate(LAC) levels in serum. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to measure the contents of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid(17-OHCS), cortisol(CORT), triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), thyrotropin(TSH), immunoglobulin(Ig) M, IgG, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP). Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of protein kinase A(PKA), cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB), silent information regulator 1(Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α). And high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the content of major alkaloids, followed by Pearson correlation analysis with pharmacodynamic indicators. ResultsAfter modeling, compare with the control group, the model rats exhibited symptoms such as lethargy and loose stools, mild abnormalities were observed in adrenal tissue structure, and both spleen and thymus indices were significantly reduced(P<0.01). Thyroid, adrenal and immune system functions were suppressed, with decreased serum cAMP level and significantly elevated cGMP level(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the adrenal injury by hydrocortisone sodium succinate were repaired and the spleen index were increased significantly in all four ARLP groups(P<0.05, P<0.01). The thymus index in SFP and PFZ groups were increased significantly(P<0.05). The contents of T3, TSH, 17-OHCS and CORT were increased significantly in SFP and PFZ groups(P<0.05). In addition, the content of IgG in SFP, PFZ and PFP groups were increased significantly(P<0.01), while the content of IgM in PFZ and HSP groups were also increased significantly(P<0.05). Regarding the cyclic nucleotide system, PFZ significantly elevated cAMP level while reducing cGMP level(P<0.05), exhibiting the most pronounced effect among the four decoction pieces. For energy metabolism indicators, PFZ significantly improved abnormal markers including TC, TG, LDH, and LAC(P<0.05). HSP showed marked improvement effects on TG, LDH, and LAC(P<0.05). Both PFZ and SFP significantly elevated the expression levels of PKA, CREB, Sirt1, and PGC-1α proteins(P<0.01). Additionally, the diester alkaloids in ARLP showed a strong positive correlation with TG, IgG, and CORT, a strong negative correlation with LAC, a moderate positive correlation with T4, and moderate negative correlations with cAMP and spleen index. Monomeric alkaloids showed strong positive correlations with TG and IgG, strong negative correlations with LAC, moderate positive correlations with CORT and T4, and moderate negative correlations with cAMP and spleen index. However, the content of water-soluble alkaloids showed strong positive correlations with TC, LDH, 17-OHCS, T3, TSH, and thymus index, moderate positive correlations with cAMP, CORT, T4, and spleen index, and moderate negative correlation with cGMP. ConclusionAmong different processed ARLP decoction pieces, PFZ processed according to ZHANG Zhongjing's method exhibits the most potent warming and cold-dispelling effects. Its pharmacological actions are mediated through regulating the thyroid, adrenal, immune, cyclic nucleotide systems, and material-energy metabolism pathways. Among these, water-soluble alkaloids show strong or moderate correlations with more indicators of deficiency-cold syndrome and exhibit the highest content in PFZ. Therefore, PFZ processed according to ZHANG Zhongjing's method may exert its warming and cold-dispelling effects through water-soluble alkaloids.
2.Effect of dapagliflozin in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation combined with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a randomized controlled trial
Xiaoyu LIAN ; Fei PENG ; Hui GONG ; Juying QIAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):342-349
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) combined with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods A total of 120 patients with PAF combined with HFpEF treated at Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from July 2022 to July 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the dapagliflozin group (n=60, standard treatment combined with dapagliflozin) and the control group (n=60, standard treatment combined with placebo). After 12 months of follow-up, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-Total Symptom Score (KCCQ-TSS), PAF duration, recurrence rate and frequency of PAF, left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, P-wave dispersion, blood pressure, plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) were compared between the two groups. Cardiovascular outcomes and adverse events were observed. Results A total of 10 patients lost to follow-up, and 110 patients were included in the analysis (55 in each group). After 12 months of treatment, the KCCQ-TSS in the dapagliflozin group was significantly higher than that in the control group ([61.68±2.65] points vs [44.98±4.76] points, P<0.001). The PAF duration in the dapagliflozin group was significantly shorter than that in the control group ([144±18] min vs [270±24] min, P=0.045). After treatment, frequency of PAF, NT-proBNP levels, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, P-wave dispersion, and HbA1C levels showed statistical differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The heart failure readmission rate and PAF recurrence rate in the dapagliflozin group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups during treatment. Conclusions Dapagliflozin improves patients’ quality of life, reduces PAF duration and recurrence rate, decreases heart failure readmission rate, lowers NT-proBNP levels, reverses cardiac remodeling, and demonstrates favorable safety in patients with PAF combined with HFpEF.
3.Comparative analysis of characteristics and functions of exosomes from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived platelets and apheresis platelets
Weihua HUANG ; Yan ZANG ; Aihua QIN ; Ziyang FENG ; Heshan TANG ; Fei GUO ; Chuyan WU ; Qiu SHEN ; Baohua QIAN ; Haihui GU ; Zhanshan CHA
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(9):1154-1161
Objective: To compare the biological characteristics of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived platelet exosomes (hiPSC-Plt-Exos) with those of conventional apheresis platelet exosomes (Plt-Exos), specifically focusing on their differential abilities to enhance the proliferation and migration of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). Methods: Exosomes were isolated from hiPSC-derived Plt and apheresis Plt concentrate using size exclusion chromatography. These exosomes were then characterized through nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Western blotting. Co-culture experiments into hUC-MSCs were conducted with hiPSC-Plt-Exos and apheresis Plt-Exos, respectively. Their effects on the proliferation and migration of hUC-MSCs were assessed via cell proliferation assays and scratch tests. Results: hiPSC-Plt-Exos and apheresis Plt-Exos exhibited comparable particle sizes, morphological features (such as the characteristic cup-shaped structure), and surface markers (including CD9 and HSP70). Notably, hiPSC-Plt-Exos demonstrated a significantly greater ability to enhance the proliferation and migration of hUC-MSCs compared to apheresis Plt-Exos (P<0.05). These differences provide critical comparative data for their application in various clinical contexts. Conclusion: This study establishes a theoretical foundation for developing precise therapeutic strategies based on hiPSC-Plt-Exos. Furthermore, it underscores the necessity of selecting the appropriate type of exosomes according to the specific disease microenvironment to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.
4.Association between incidence of hand-foot-mouth disease and meteorological factors
YANG Ya ; FEI Jie ; YANG Yiwei ; ZHANG Bing ; ZHANG Qian ; LU Yihan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(4):346-349,355
Objective:
To examine the association between incidence of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and meteorological factors, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and control of HFMD.
Methods:
The number of HFMD cases in Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality from 2016 to 2023 were collected through the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and meteorological data were obtained from the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau. The associations of daily average temperature, daily average relative humidity, and daily average atmospheric pressure with the daily number of HFMD cases were analyzed using a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM).
Results:
A total of 21 555 HFMD cases were reported in Jiading District from 2016 to 2023, with an average annual incidence of 132.57/100 000. There were 12 762 male cases (59.21%) and 8 793 female cases (40.79%). The main peak of incidence occurred from June to August, and the secondary peak was from October to December. DLNM analysis showed that the incidence risk of HFMD first increased and then decreased with the increase of daily average temperature, and first decreased and then increased with the prolongation of the lag time. The cumulative lag risk was higher when the daily average temperature ranged from 18.4 to 35.1 ℃, and the maximum cumulative lag effect was observed at 27.8 ℃ (RR=5.522, 95%CI: 4.751-6.370). The incidence risk of HFMD first increased and then decreased with the increase of daily average relative humidity, and first decreased, then increased and then decreased again with the prolongation of the lag time. The cumulative lag risk was higher when the daily average relative humidity ranged from 71.7% and 90.8%, and the maximum cumulative lag effect was observed at 81.8% (RR=1.603, 95%CI: 1.321-1.995). The incidence risk of HFMD decreased with the increase of daily average atmospheric pressure, and decreased with the prolongation of the lag time when the daily average atmospheric pressure was greater than 1 015.80 hPa. When the daily average atmospheric pressure was less than 1 015.80 hPa, the incidence risk of HFMD increased with the prolongation of the lag time. The maximum cumulative lag effect was observed at 986.80 hPa (RR=8.513, 95%CI: 1.401-36.625).
Conclusion
The incidence risk of HFMD in Jiading District initially increases and then decreases with increasing temperature and relative humidity, while it decreases with increasing atmospheric pressure, and these effects exhibit a lagged response.
5.Mechanism of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation disorder in male infertility.
Kai MENG ; Qian LIU ; Yiding QIN ; Wenjie QIN ; Ziming ZHU ; Longlong SUN ; Mingchao JIANG ; Joseph ADU-AMANKWAAH ; Fei GAO ; Rubin TAN ; Jinxiang YUAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):379-388
Male infertility has become a global concern, accounting for 20-70% of infertility. Dysfunctional spermatogenesis is the most common cause of male infertility; thus, treating abnormal spermatogenesis may improve male infertility and has attracted the attention of the medical community. Mitochondria are essential organelles that maintain cell homeostasis and normal physiological functions in various ways, such as mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Mitochondrial OXPHOS transmits electrons through the respiratory chain, synthesizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). These mechanisms are vital for spermatogenesis, especially to maintain the normal function of testicular Sertoli cells and germ cells. The disruption of mitochondrial OXPHOS caused by external factors can result in inadequate cellular energy supply, oxidative stress, apoptosis, or ferroptosis, all inhibiting spermatogenesis and damaging the male reproductive system, leading to male infertility. This article summarizes the latest pathological mechanism of mitochondrial OXPHOS disorder in testicular Sertoli cells and germ cells, which disrupts spermatogenesis and results in male infertility. In addition, we also briefly outline the current treatment of spermatogenic malfunction caused by mitochondrial OXPHOS disorders. However, relevant treatments have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, targeting mitochondrial OXPHOS disorders in Sertoli cells and germ cells is a research direction worthy of attention. We believe this review will provide new and more accurate ideas for treating male infertility.
Male
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Humans
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Infertility, Male/metabolism*
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Oxidative Phosphorylation
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Spermatogenesis/physiology*
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Sertoli Cells/metabolism*
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Oxidative Stress/physiology*
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Animals
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
6.Efficacy and safety of high protein intake in critically ill patients.
Wei WU ; Fei LENG ; Minhui DONG ; Jieqiong SONG ; Jincheng ZHANG ; Fei HAN ; Yiqi QIAN ; Ming ZHONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(7):880-882
7.The role of selenoproteins in adipose tissue and obesity.
Yun-Fei ZHAO ; Yu-Hang SUN ; Tai-Hua JIN ; Yue LIU ; Yang-Di CHEN ; Wan XU ; Qian GAO
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(5):939-955
Selenoproteins, as the active form of selenium, play an important role in various physiological and pathological processes, such as anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, immune response, metabolic regulation, reproduction and aging. Although the expression level of selenoproteins in adipose tissue is significantly influenced by dietary selenium intake, it is closely related to the homeostasis of adipose tissue. In this review, we summarized the role of selenoproteins in the physiological function of adipose tissue and the pathogenesis of obesity in recent years, in order to provide a rationale for developing potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Selenoproteins/metabolism*
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Adipose Tissue/physiology*
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Obesity/metabolism*
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Humans
;
Animals
;
Selenium
8.Research progress in pharmacological effects of puerarin.
Xiao-Wei MENG ; Feng-Mei GUO ; Qian-Qian WANG ; Jia-Rong LI ; Ni ZHANG ; Fei QU ; Rong-Hua LIU ; Wei-Feng ZHU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):2954-2968
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), a treasure of the Chinese nation, contains abundant chemical components and demonstrates unique pharmacological activities, showing important values in clinical applications. With profound connotations and broad application prospects, TCM urgently needs us to further explore and conduct systematic research. Puerarin is a small-molecule natural isoflavonoid carbon glycoside extracted from plants of Pueraria. It is also the main active ingredient of Puerariae Lobata Radix, a Chinese herbal medicine with both medicinal and edible values. Puerarin has a variety of pharmacological effects such as blood pressure-lowering, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury, antithrombotic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, liver-protecting, nerve cell-protecting, and intestinal microbiota-regulating effects. It is also an active ingredient that has been widely studied. This article comprehensively reviews the research progress in the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of puerarin over the years, aiming to provide references and theoretical support for the in-depth research and development as well as clinical application of puerarin.
Isoflavones/chemistry*
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Humans
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Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Pueraria/chemistry*
9.Innovation and application of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing promoted through integration of whole-process data elements.
Huan-Fei YANG ; Si-Yu LI ; Chen-Qian YU ; Jian-Kun WU ; Fang LIU ; Li-Bin JIANG ; Chun-Jin LI ; Xiang-Fei SU ; Wei-Guo BAI ; Hua-Qiang ZHAI ; Shi-Yuan JIN ; Yong-Yan WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3189-3196
As a new type of production factor that can empower the development of new quality productivity, the data element is an important engine to promote the high quality development of the industry. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dispensing is the most basic work of TCM clinical pharmacy, and its quality directly affects the clinical efficacy of TCM. The integration of data elements and TCM dispensing can stimulate the innovation and vitality of the TCM dispensing industry and promote the high-quality and sustainable development of the industry. A large-scale, detailed, and systematic study on TCM dispensing was conducted. The innovative practice path of data fusion construction in the whole process of TCM dispensing was investigated by integrating the digital resources "nine full activities" of TCM dispensing, creating the digital dictionary of "TCM clinical information data elements", and exploring innovative applications of TCM dispensing driven by data and technology, so as to promote the standardized, digital, and intelligent development of TCM dispensing in medical health services. The research content of this project was successfully selected as the second batch of "Data element×" typical cases of National Data Administration in 2024, which is the only selected case in the field of TCM.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal
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Humans
10.Buyang Huanwu Decoction promotes angiogenesis after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation injury of bEnd.3 cells by regulating YAP1/HIF-1α signaling pathway via caveolin-1.
Bo-Wei CHEN ; Yin OUYANG ; Fan-Zuo ZENG ; Ying-Fei LIU ; Feng-Ming TIAN ; Ya-Qian XU ; Jian YI ; Bai-Yan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3847-3856
This study aims to explore the mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BHD) in promoting angiogenesis after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) of mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell line(brain-derived Endothelial cells.3, bEnd.3) based on the caveolin-1(Cav1)/Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) signaling pathway. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to analyze the blood components of BHD. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was used to detect the optimal intervention concentration of drug-containing serum of BHD after OGD/R injury of bEnd.3. The lentiviral transfection method was used to construct a Cav1 silent stable strain, and Western blot and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) methods were used to verify the silencing efficiency. The control bEnd.3 cells were divided into a normal group(sh-NC control group), an OGD/R model + blank serum group(sh-NC OGD/R group), and an OGD/R model + drug-containing serum group(sh-NC BHD group). Cav1 silent cells were divided into an OGD/R model + blank serum group(sh-Cav1 OGD/R group) and an OGD/R model + drug-containing serum group(sh-Cav1 BHD group). The cell survival rate was detected by the CCK-8 method. The cell migration ability was detected by a cell migration assay. The lumen formation ability was detected by an angiogenesis assay. The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of YAP1/HIF-1α signaling pathway-related proteins in each group was detected by Western blot. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation was used to verify the interaction between YAP1 and HIF-1α. The results showed astragaloside Ⅳ, formononetin, ferulic acid, and albiflorin in BHD can all enter the blood. The drug-containing serum of BHD at a mass fraction of 10% may be the optimal intervention concentration for OGD/R-induced injury of bEnd.3 cells. Compared with the sh-NC control group, the sh-NC OGD/R group showed significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, significantly lowered phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly elevated nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2). Compared with the same type of OGD/R group, the sh-NC BHD group and sh-Cav1 BHD group had significantly increased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly decreased cell apoptotic rate, a further decreased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly increased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. Compared with the sh-NC OGD/R group, the sh-Cav1 OGD/R group exhibited significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, a significantly increased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at S127 site, and significantly decreased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. Compared with the sh-NC BHD group, the sh-Cav1 BHD group showed significantly decreased cell survival rate, cell migration rate, mesh number, node number, and lumen length, a significantly increased cell apoptotic rate, a significantly increased phosphorylation level of YAP1 at the S127 site, and significantly decreased nuclear displacement level of YAP1 and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and VEGFR2. YAP1 protein was present in the protein complex precipitated by the HIF-1α antibody, and HIF-1α protein was also present in the protein complex precipitated by the YAP1 antibody. The results confirmed that the drug-containing serum of BHD can increase the activity of YAP1/HIF-1α pathway in bEnd.3 cells damaged by OGD/R through Cav1 and promote angiogenesis in vitro.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Animals
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Mice
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Glucose/metabolism*
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Caveolin 1/genetics*
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics*
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YAP-Signaling Proteins
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Oxygen/metabolism*
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Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
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Cell Line
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics*
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Neovascularization, Physiologic/drug effects*
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Cell Hypoxia/drug effects*
;
Angiogenesis


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