The hydrogels assembled from a pair of self‐repulsive but mutually attractive decapeptides are visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is found that in the absence of Gd(III)‐chelate, gelation has little effect on MRI signal intensity. In the presence of Gd(III)‐chelate, gelation leads to significant changes in water relaxation and MR signal intensity. The sol to gel transition is best visualized by T2‐weighted imaging using large echo time with the sol producing a bright spot and the gel producing a dark spot. MRI studies point to high local Gd(III)‐chelate concentration. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering study indicates that this local enrichment of Gd(III)‐chelate has two contributing processes: first, the aggregation of peptides into fibers; second, within peptide fibers, Gd(III)‐chelate further aggregate into clusters. This work demonstrates that the status of peptide‐based hydrogels can be visualized by MRI with the aid of covalently linked Gd(III)‐chelates. This result has implications for monitoring peptide scaffolds in vivo. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 96: 734–743, 2011.

Both interaction with health care professionals, especially communication and continuity of care, and symptom management in children dying of cancer are associated with long-term parental grief levels.

A combined physical and psychosocial training for children with cancer did not have effects on HrQoL or psychosocial functioning, with exception of modest positive effects on parent-reported pain and procedural anxiety Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Most parents in this study cited several reasons for not discussing death with their child. Our findings highlight the sensitive and complex issues surrounding these conversations, indicating that there may be a role for clinicians in supporting parents.

Participation of childhood cancer patients in an intensive physical and psychosocial intervention program seems related to the burden of the intervention and the travel distance from home to hospital. In general, non-participants rated their fitness level higher compared with participants. Patients with more (internalizing) behavioral problems seem more likely to participate in the study.

This psychosocial intervention for childhood cancer patients appears to be applicable. Future studies need to establish whether this intervention combined with a physical exercise intervention actually improves psychosocial functioning of childhood cancer patients. When proven effective, this combined intervention can be offered to childhood cancer patients and may enhance their physical health and quality of life.

This study showed that families at risk, based on standardized risk assessment with the PAT, received more specialized care than families without risk. However, still 14% of the families with high risks only received basic care, and 63% of the families with standard risk got specialized care. Standardized risk assessment can be used as part of comprehensive care delivery, complementing the team.

This article focuses on group work with children using a board game format. Combining the principles of group work and board games helps to engage and motivate children and adolescents to address and work through their difficulties. Lifegames are a series of six therapeutic board games developed for group work with children and adolescents who encounter adversity in their life as a consequence of bereavement, family break up, poor relationships, bullying, chronic illness or obesity. The games facilitate the understanding and disclosure of the complex feelings experienced by children and young people when they are confronted with traumatic life events. The games encourage and assist the participants to obtain and maintain behavioural change. Lifegames are a means to assist professionals in their group work with children and adolescents.