Do beWo cells stimulate smooth muscle cell apoptosis and elastin breakdown in a model of spiral artery transformation?
BeWo induce arterial remodelling via FasL- and MMP-12-dependent mechanisms. BeWo-derived factors up-regulate protease expression in spiral artery SMC to facilitate matrix breakdown.
Patients' attitudes toward their illness seem to be associated with survival after stroke. Patients who feel that there is nothing they can do to help themselves 6 months after a stroke have a shorter survival. These findings need to be confirmed and any causal relationship between attitude and survival further explored in a randomized controlled trial to "improve" the attitude of stroke patients toward their illness.