Clearing hepatitis C virus with direct antiviral agents reduces cardiovascular events in patients with prediabetes. Commentary to Sasso and colleagues

Liver health is a key determinant of cardiovascular risk (CVR). Hepatic fibrosis is the shared common result of chronic hepatitis, irrespective of aetiology. Fibrosis profoundly distorts liver tissue architecture and perturbs hepatic physiology, dictates the course of chronic liver disease and is increasingly recognized as a CVR factor. The relative weights of pre-diabetes and hepatic fibrosis as risk factors for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with HCV remain an open issue. Sasso and Colleagues answered this research question by treating approximately half of 770 HCV positive pre-diabetic patients with direct antiviral agents (DAAs), while the rest served as historical controls. Data have shown that achieving HCV clearance with DAAs was associated with a 60% reduced risk of MACE, thereby implying that this antiviral strategy is recommended in HCV positive pre-diabetic patients, regardless of the severity of liver disease and concurrent CVR factors. This study paves the way for additional studies addressing the molecular patho-mechanisms and changes in the clinical spectrum involved in cardio-metabolic protection following HCV eradication in patients with pre-diabetes.     

Sleep spindle detection using multivariate Gaussian mixture models

In this research study we have developed a clustering‐based automatic sleep spindle detection method that was evaluated on two different databases. The databases consisted of 20 all‐night polysomnograph recordings. Past detection methods have been based on subject‐independent and some subject‐dependent parameters, such as fixed or variable thresholds to identify spindles. Using a multivariate Gaussian mixture model clustering technique, our algorithm was developed to use only subject‐specific parameters to detect spindles. We have obtained an overall sensitivity range (65.1–74.1%) at a (59.55–119.7%) false positive proportion.     

Evaluation of Prostate Cancer Stage Groups Updated in the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor–Node–Metastasis Staging Manual

Introduction

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor, node, metastasis classification system (TNM) staging manual has been updated and provides more specified stage grouping for prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to validate the updated AJCC stage groups for PCa using a radical prostatectomy (RP) cohort.

The role of CDKN2A/B deletions in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The CDKN2A/B genes in the 9p21 chromosomal region are frequently involved in human cancer, including pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These genes encode 3 proteins that belong to the RB1 and TP53 pathways and act as tumor suppressors by regulating the G1/S checkpoint of the cell cycle. The prognostic value of deletions in the CDKN2A/B locus in ALL is controversial in part due to the limitations of the methodologies used. Further studies with advanced technologies are needed for elucidation. Future studies would also highlight whether CDK4/CDK6 selective inhibitors might be useful therapies for children with these genetic aberrations.