Background There has been a trend toward earlier and more aggressive resection for low-grade gliomas (LGGs). This study set out to compare seizure control and survival of adults with LGG seen in the same neuro-oncology clinic over 11 years and to determine whether a change in surgical philosophy has led to a corresponding improvement in outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using case-note review of 153 adults with histologically verified or radiologically suspected LGG, collecting data on patient, tumor, and seizure characteristics between 2006 and 2017. Results We studied 79 patients in 2006 and 74 patients in 2017. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in age at presentation, tumor location, or integrated pathological diagnosis. The numbers of complete or partial resections increased from 21.5% in 2006 to 60.8% in 2017 (P < .05). Five- and 10-year overall survival increased from 81.8% and 51.7% in 2006 to 100% and 95.8% in 2017 (P < .001); similarly, 5- and 10-year progression-free survival increased from 47.0% and 30.7% in 2006 to 93.1% and 68.7% in 2017. The proportion of patients with intractable epilepsy declined from 72.2% in 2006 to 43.2% in 2017 (P < .05). The neurosurgical morbidity rate was identical in both groups (11.8% in 2006 vs 11.1% in 2017). Conclusion Management of LGG over the last 11 years has led to substantial improvements in survival and seizure control. This is most likely thanks to a change in surgical philosophy, with early resection now favored over watchful waiting where possible.

Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent and chronic conditions that are closely linked by complex molecular and pathological changes. Such adverse effects often arise from changes in the expression of genes that control essential cellular functions, but the factors that drive such effects are not fully understood. Since tissue-specific transcription factors control the expression of multiple genes, which affect cell fate under different conditions, then identifying such regulators can provide valuable insight into the molecular basis of such diseases. This review explores emerging evidence that supports novel and important roles for the POU4F2/Brn-3b transcription factor (TF) in controlling cellular genes that regulate cardiometabolic function. Brn-3b is expressed in insulin-responsive metabolic tissues (e.g. skeletal muscle and adipose tissue) and is important for normal function because constitutive Brn-3b-knockout (KO) mice develop profound metabolic dysfunction (hyperglycaemia; insulin resistance). Brn-3b is highly expressed in the developing hearts, with lower levels in adult hearts. However, Brn-3b is re-expressed in adult cardiomyocytes following haemodynamic stress or injury and is necessary for adaptive cardiac responses, particularly in male hearts, because male Brn-3b KO mice develop adverse remodelling and reduced cardiac function. As a TF, Brn-3b regulates the expression of multiple target genes, including GLUT4, GSK3β, sonic hedgehog (SHH), cyclin D1 and CDK4, which have known functions in controlling metabolic processes but also participate in cardiac responses to stress or injury. Therefore, loss of Brn-3b and the resultant alterations in the expression of such genes could potentially provide the link between metabolic dysfunctions with adverse cardiovascular responses, which is seen in Brn-3b KO mutants. Since the loss of Brn-3b is associated with obesity, type II diabetes (T2DM) and altered cardiac responses to stress, this regulator may provide a new and important link for understanding how pathological changes arise in such endemic diseases.

Background: There has been a trend towards earlier and more aggressive resection for Low-Grade Gliomas (LGG). This study set out to compare seizure control and survival of adults with LGG seen in the same neuro-oncology clinic over 11 years and to determine if a change in surgical philosophy has led to a corresponding improvement in outcomes.Methods: Retrospective analysis using case-note review of 153 adults with histologically verified or radiologically suspected LGG, collecting data on patient, tumor and seizure characteristics between 2006 and 2017. Results:We studied 79 patients in 2006 and 74 patients in 2017. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age at presentation, tumor location or integrated pathological diagnosis. The numbers of complete or partial resections increased from 21.5 % in 2006 to 60.8% in 2017 (p<0.05). Five and Ten-year Overall Survival increased from 81.8% and 51.7% in 2006 to 100% and 95.8% in 2017 (p<0.001); similarly Five and Ten -year Progression-Free Survival increased from 47.0% and 30.7% in 2006 to 93.1% and 68.7% in 2017. The proportion of patients with intractable epilepsy reduced from 72.2% in 2006 to 43.2% in 2017 (p<0.05). The neurosurgical morbidity rate was identical in both groups (11.8% in 2006 vs 11.1% in 2017) Conclusion: Management of LGG over the last eleven years has led to substantial improvements in survival and seizure control. This is most likely to be due to a change in surgical philosophy with early resection now favored over watchful waiting where possible.

We read about the Himachal Pradesh Rheumatic Heart Disease (HP-RHD) registry data from Negi et al. [1] and would like to commend the authors for their efforts. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects an estimated 15 million people worldwide [2], with between a quarter and one-half of all cases occurring in India [1]. We believe that there is a need for a population-wide intervention to reduce mortality and morbidity rates due to RHD in lowand middle-income countries such as India. Negi et al. [1] described the clinical characteristics and cardiovascular complications in, and management of, patients in India with RHD. This patient cohort had a particularly low uptake of prophylactic antibiotics and an underuse of valvular repair surgery was identified. The authors concluded that early detection of RHD is important for early identification of patients at high risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Of the patients who were enrolled in the HP-RHD registry, 15.7% had symptoms of advanced heart failure; and there was also moderate-to-severe valvular heart disease present in 69.3% of the cohort, indicating that RHD has a late presentation in this setting. Only 25.1% of patients recalled having acute rheumatic fever. This suggests that the best way forward is a population-based screening program, as three-quarters of patients could otherwise be missed.

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