Review & comment

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  Considerations in cancer genetics

  Sevtap Savas, Geoffrey Liu, Wei Xu

  Analyzing genetic polymorphisms is important for the development of new cancer biomarkers; Wei Xu and colleagues review special considerations that must be taken into account when studying tumor genetics, and highlight the potential problems.

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  HIV therapy: start later

  Jens Lundgren, Abdel Babiker, Fred Gordin, Álvaro Borges, James Neaton

  Jens Lundgren and colleagues argue for a more cautious approach to starting antiretroviral therapy, highlighting that there is no evidence from randomized trials to suggest the benefits of starting therapy early outweigh the potential harms.

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  HIV therapy: start early

  Ricardo Franco, Michael Saag

  Ricardo Franco and Michael Saag discuss the benefits of starting HIV therapy early, arguing that treatment should be given as soon as possible to reduce viral replication, prevent transmission and avoid the problems associated with inflammation.

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  Asthmatic airway remodeling

  Rachid Berair, Ruth Saunders, Christopher Brightling

  Christopher Brightling and colleagues discuss the contribution of different cell types to airway smooth muscle hyperplasia, and describe how a greater understanding of these mechanisms will guide the development of new therapies for asthma.

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  Collateral arteries of the heart

  Pascal Meier, Stephan Schirmer, Alexandra Lansky, Adam Timmis, Bertram Pitt, Christian Seiler

  Pascal Meier and colleagues discuss the relevance of collateral arteries in the heart, and describe recent evidence indicating these arteries have a protective role in preserving myocardial function in patients with coronary heart disease.

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  Venous defects in neurological disorders

  Clive Beggs

  Neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and leukoaraiosis have been associated with venous abnormalities that contribute to the pathophysiology; Clive Beggs reviews the evidence for this, concluding that the role of cerebral flow in MS remains unclear.