Tulane University

About: Tulane University is a education organization based out in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Blood pressure. The organization has 24478 authors who have published 47205 publications receiving 1944993 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Louisiana.

Effect of dietary fiber intake on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials

Abstract: ObjectiveWe conducted a meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials published in English-language journals before February 2004, to assess the effect of dietary fiber intake on blood pressure (BP).DesignUsing a standardized protocol, information on study design, sample size, participant charact

Effect of folic acid supplementation on risk of cardiovascular diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract: ContextEpidemiologic studies have suggested that folate intake decreases risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the results of randomized controlled trials on dietary supplementation with folic acid to date have been inconsistent.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of folic acid supplementation on risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality in randomized controlled trials among persons with preexisting cardiovascular or renal disease.Data SourcesStudies were retrieved by searching MEDLINE (January 1966-July 2006) using the Medical Subject Headings cardiovascular disease, coronary disease, coronary thrombosis, myocardial ischemia, coronary stenosis, coronary restenosis, cerebrovascular accident, randomized controlled trial, clinical trials, homofolic acid, and folic acid, and the text words folic acid and folate. Bibliographies of all retrieved articles were also searched, and experts in the field were contacted.Study SelectionFrom 165 relevant retrieved reports, 12 randomized controlled trials compared folic acid supplementation with either placebo or usual care for a minimum duration of 6 months and with clinical cardiovascular disease events reported as an end point.Data ExtractionData on study design, characteristics of participants, changes in homocysteine levels, and cardiovascular disease outcomes were independently abstracted by 2 investigators using a standardized protocol.Data SynthesisStudies including data from 16 958 participants with preexisting vascular disease were analyzed using a random-effects model. The overall relative risks (95% confidence intervals) of outcomes for patients treated with folic acid supplementation compared with controls were 0.95 (0.88-1.03) for cardiovascular diseases, 1.04 (0.92-1.17) for coronary heart disease, 0.86 (0.71-1.04) for stroke, and 0.96 (0.88-1.04) for all-cause mortality. The relative risk was consistent among participants with preexisting cardiovascular or renal disease.ConclusionsFolic acid supplementation has not been shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases or all-cause mortality among participants with prior history of vascular disease. Several ongoing trials with large sample sizes might provide a definitive answer to this important clinical and public health question.

Effects of hypoxia on human mesenchymal stem cell expansion and plasticity in 3D constructs

Abstract: Low oxygen tension is thought to be an integral component of the human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) native bone marrow microenvironment. HMSC were cultured under physiologically relevant oxygen environments (2% O2) in three-dimensional (3D) constructs for up to 1 month in order to investigate the combined effects of chronic hypoxia and 3D architecture on hMSC tissue-development patterns. Hypoxic hMSC exhibited an extended lag phase in order to acclimatize to culture conditions. However, they subsequently proliferated continuously throughout the culture period, while maintaining significantly higher colony-forming unit capabilities and expressing higher levels of stem cell genes than hMSC cultured at 20% O2 (normoxic) conditions. Upon induction, hypoxic hMSC also expressed higher levels of osteoblastic and adipocytic differentiation markers than normoxic controls. Hypoxia induced increased total protein levels in hMSC throughout the culture period, as well as significantly different fibronectin expression patterns suggesting that oxygen levels can significantly affect tissue-development patterns. Importantly, hMSC maintained the ability to thrive in prolonged hypoxic conditions suggesting that hypoxia may be an essential element of the in vivo hMSC niche. Further studies are required to determine how variations in cellular characteristics and ECM expression impact on the physiological properties of the engineered tissue, yet these results strongly indicate that oxygen tension is a key parameter that influences the in vitro characteristics of hMSC and their development into tissues.