Xavier University of Louisiana

About: Xavier University of Louisiana is a education organization based out in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 1079 authors who have published 1362 publications receiving 30883 citations. The organization is also known as: XULA.

Combination of isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine in blacks with heart failure.

Abstract: background We examined whether a fixed dose of both isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine provides additional benefit in blacks with advanced heart failure, a subgroup previously noted to have a favorable response to this therapy. methods A total of 1050 black patients who had New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure with dilated ventricles were randomly assigned to receive a fixed dose of isosorbide dinitrate plus hydralazine or placebo in addition to standard therapy for heart failure. The primary end point was a composite score made up of weighted values for death from any cause, a first hospitalization for heart failure, and change in the quality of life. results The study was terminated early owing to a significantly higher mortality rate in the placebo group than in the group given isosorbide dinitrate plus hydralazine (10.2 percent vs. 6.2 percent, P = 0.02). The mean primary composite score was significantly better in the group given isosorbide dinitrate plus hydralazine than in the placebo group (i0.1±1.9 vs. i0.5±2.0, P=0.01; range of possible values, –6 to +2), as were its individual components (43 percent reduction in the rate of death from any cause [hazard ratio, 0.57; P=0.01] 33 percent relative reduction in the rate of first hospitalization for heart failure [16.4 percent vs. 22.4 percent, P=0.001], and an improvement in the quality of life [change in score, i5.6±20.6 vs. i2.7±21.2, with lower scores indicating better quality of life; P=0.02; range of possible values, 0 to 105]). conclusions The addition of a fixed dose of isosorbide dinitrate plus hydralazine to standard therapy for heart failure including neurohormonal blockers is efficacious and increases survival among black patients with advanced heart failure.

Superparamagnetic Fe2O3 Beads−CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots Core−Shell Nanocomposite Particles for Cell Separation

Abstract: This paper describes the synthesis of new nanocomposite nanoparticles that consist of polymer coated γ-Fe2O3 superparamagnetic cores and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) shell. A single layer of QDs was bound to the surface of thiol-modified magnetic beads through the formation of thiol−metal bonds to form luminescent/magnetic nanocomposite particles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the size, size distribution, and composition of the luminescent/magnetic nanoparticles. Their average diameter was 30 nm with a size variation of ±15%. The nanoparticles were modified with carboxylic groups to increase their miscibility in aqueous solution. A 3-fold decrease in the luminescence quantum yield of the luminescent/magnetic particles and a slight blue shift in their emission peaks compared to individual luminescent QDs were observed. However, the particles were bright and were easily observed using a conventional fluorescence microscope. Additionall...

Histone deacetylase inhibitors in clinical studies as templates for new anticancer agents.

Abstract: Histone dacetylases (HDACs) are a group of enzymes that remove acetyl groups from histones and regulate expression of tumor suppressor genes. They are implicated in many human diseases, especially cancer, making them a promising therapeutic target for treatment of the latter by developing a wide variety of inhibitors. HDAC inhibitors interfere with HDAC activity and regulate biological events, such as cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis in cancer cells. As a result, HDAC inhibitor-based therapies have gained much attention for cancer treatment. To date, the FDA has approved three HDAC inhibitors for cutaneous/peripheral T-cell lymphoma and many more HDAC inhibitors are in different stages of clinical development for the treatment of hematological malignancies as well as solid tumors. In the intensifying efforts to discover new, hopefully more therapeutically efficacious HDAC inhibitors, molecular modeling-based rational drug design has played an important role in identifying potential inhibitors that vary in molecular structures and properties. In this review, we summarize four major structural classes of HDAC inhibitors that are in clinical trials and different computer modeling tools available for their structural modifications as a guide to discover additional HDAC inhibitors with greater therapeutic utility.

Soil is an important pathway of human lead exposure.

Abstract: This review shows the equal or greater importance of leaded gasoline-contaminated dust compared to lead-based paint to the child lead problem, and that soil lead, resulting from leaded gasoline and pulverized lead-based paint, is at least or more important than lead-based paint (intact and not pulverized) as a pathway of human lead exposure. Because lead-based paint is a high-dose source, the biologically relevant dosage is similar to lead in soil. Both lead-based paint and soil lead are associated with severe lead poisoning. Leaded gasoline and lead in food, but not lead-based paint, are strongly associated with population blood lead levels in both young children and adults. Soil lead and house dust, but not lead-based paint, are associated with population blood lead levels in children. Most soil lead and house dust are associated with leaded gasoline. Lead-based paint dust is associated with cases of renovation of either exterior or interior environments in which the paint was pulverized. Based upon the limited data to date, abatement of soil lead is more effective than abatement of lead-based paint in reducing blood lead levels of young children. About equal numbers of children under 7 years of age are exposed to soil lead and lead-based paint. Seasonality studies point to soil lead as the main source of population blood lead levels. Soil lead is a greater risk factor than lead-based paint to children engaged in hand-to-mouth and pica behavior. In summary, soil lead is important for addressing the population of children at risk of lead poisoning. When soil lead is acknowledged by regulators and the public health community as an important pathway of human lead exposure, then more effective opportunities for improving primary lead prevention can become a reality.