Clopidogrel inhibits shear-induced platelet function

We enrolled 17 healthy adult volunteers and measured platelet hemostasis time (PHT) and collagen-induced thrombus formation (CITF) before and after the oral administration of 300 mg of clopidogrel utilizing the Xylum Clot Signature Analyzer®. We documented a statistically significant 30% prolongation of the PHT from 291 - 13 (SE) seconds to 376 - 31 (SE) s ( P =0.037). There was a 7% prolongation of the CITF from 347 - 10 to 371 - 17 (SE) s ( P =0.245). This study suggests that the Xylum Clot Signature Analyzer can measure changes in platelet function in response to a modest platelet inhibitor, and may be a useful clinical tool for the monitoring of antiplatelet therapies in patients.     

The Emerging Relevance of the Cysteine Protease Cathepsin S in Disease

Cathepsin S is a lysosomal cysteine protease that has been shown to play a key role in MHC class II antigen presentation. Consequently, it has been extensively evaluated as a therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Additionally, clinical and mechanistic evidence is emerging, revealing its inappropriate expression and secretion in a wide range of disease states including atherosclerosis and tumourigenesis. This review covers the known role and consequences of cathepsin S activity in these pathological disorders, highlighting various studies that have demonstrated its utility as a therapeutic target. This review also examines challenges that exist towards the development of agents that specifically target this protease and discusses the studies to date that have applied cathepsin S inhibitors in disease models.     

Heavy Smokers Perform More Poorly than Nonsmokers on a Simulated Task of Gambling

The Gambling Task (GT) has demonstrated sensitivity to a type of decision-making that differentiates individuals manifesting substance use disorders from those without such disorders. However, studies have not yet compared the GT performance of “heavy smokers” to the performance of never-smokers. In the present study, the GT performance of “heavy smokers” (n = 39) and never-smokers (n = 32) recruited from the community was compared in an experimental design. Analysis of covariance showed that “heavy smokers” performance on the GT was significantly worse than that of never-smokers (p < .01). Implications, the study's limitations and future directions are discussed.     

Pandemic legislation in the European Union: Fit for purpose? The need for a systematic comparison of national laws

Sound governance is central to effective pandemic management. Key international legal instruments governing pandemic management in the European Union (EU): the International Health Regulations (2005) and Decision 1082/13 require EU Member States to develop national plans and invite them to establish national legal frameworks to support compliance with this international legislation. Although Member States may design the legal framework as they choose, the strongest instrument of pandemic governance is national legislation.It is currently unclear what national pandemic governance exists in Member States as it has not been mapped, i.e. identified and collated. Legal analysis and empirical evaluation of implementation and impact have therefore not been possible. We propose comprehensive mapping to create the necessary comparative data for legal analysis assessing national legislation’s compliance with international obligations and ethical principles. Empirical research could evaluate its effectiveness in promoting cross-border coherence and robust emergency response. We draw on the U.S. experience with “policy surveillance”, the systematic scientific mapping of laws of public health importance. Until national pandemic governance is mapped and evaluated, we cannot know if it is lawful, ethical or effective.