The ability to differentiate human ESCs (hESCs) to defined lineages in a totally controlled manner is fundamental to developing cell-based therapies and studying human developmental mechanisms. We report a novel, scaleable, and widely applicable system for deriving and propagating neural stem cells from hESCs without the use of animal products, proprietary formulations, or genetic manipulation. This system provides a definitive platform for studying human neural development and has potential therapeutic implications. STEM CELLS 2007;25:731-737

Summary Severe inoperable aortic stenosis is a challenge for clinicians. Management of symptoms with traditional antianginal agents, which exert hemodynamic changes often may not be possible in such patient groups. We report the first known case of the safe use of Ranolazine with good symptomatic relief of angina in an 88‐year‐old lady with isolated severe aortic stenosis (without significant coronary disease) who was not suitable for surgical or percutaneous valve replacement due to medical comorbidity.

If the NICE guidance on chest pain of recent onset had been implemented in our study population, the need for change of the offer of specific first line tests (as discussed above) means that, a major re-organisation in both the services in RACPCs and the current process of referral to these specialists cardiac services from the primary care physicians will be required. Whilst acknowledging that regional variations may exist in the proportions of tests needed (depending on the incidence and prevalence of CAD and risk factors), these figures from our study represent a much higher level of need of these specialist tests for patients attending RACPCs than initially suggested by contemporary reviews. We therefore conclude that data from larger studies in many regions may be useful for understanding the degree of regional and national changes required for organising the structure and referrals to specialist cardiac services in Scotland, if an equitable service based on NICE guidance 95 is rolled out throughout United Kingdom in future.