004). No consistent effect of GI was seen and the MetS scores were not affected. In conclusion increased protein intake improved cardiovascular markers in high-risk children, particularly in those undergoing most intensive intervention.”
“Neural stem cells (NSCs) raised the hope for cell-based therapies in

human neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Current research strategies aim to isolate, enrich, and propagate homogeneous populations of neural stem cells. Unfortunately, several concerns with NSC cultures currently may limit their therapeutic promise. Exhaustion of growth factors and/or their uncontrolled release with burst and fall in their concentration may greatly affect the in vitro behavior S63845 in vitro of NSCs. In this context, we investigate whether a device containing AC220 mw heparan sulfate (HS), which is a co-factor in growth factor-mediated cell proliferation and differentiation, could potentiate and prolong the delivery of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and thus improve in vitro NSC cultivation. We demonstrated that NSCs cultivated in media with a controlled release of FGF-2 from a polyelectrolyte polymer

showed a higher proliferation rate, and reduced apoptosis and senescence. In these experimental conditions NSCs preserve their stemness properties for a longer period of time compared with controls. Also of interest is that cell fate properties are conserved as well. The controlled release of FGF-2 reduced the level of oxidative stress and this is associated with a lower level of damaged DNA. This result may explain the reduced level of senescence and apoptosis in NSCs cultivated in the presence of hydrogel-releasing FGF-2. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.”
“Background: Patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and their partners face many challenges associated with heart disease. High social support in a close relationship has been found to improve survival in patients with HF. However, caring for a patient with HF may have negative effects on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL)

selleck chemicals of the partner responsible for the care. The main focus in health care is still on improving patients’ HRQOL, but the awareness of partners’ and families’ role and situation is increasing. Therefore, further studies are needed to clarify these issues and the importance of partners in relation to HRQOL of patients with HF. Objectives: To describe and compare HRQOL, quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) weights, symptoms of depression, and perceived control and knowledge in patients with chronic HF and their partners and to compare HRQOL and QALY weights in the partners with an age-and sex-matched group. Methods: Data were collected from 135 patient-partner dyads at 2 Swedish hospitals. Data on the reference group were collected from the same region. Results: Patients had lower HRQOL in all dimensions (P < .