Health research and innovation: Can we optimize the interface between startups/pharmaceutical companies and academic health care institutions or not?

Although France has numerous assets in the realm of health care, such as the excellence of its research teams, the reputation of its healthcare system, and the presence of many startups, all of which are necessary to become a leader in innovation, it also has combined cultural and regulatory barriers that limit the flexibility and efficiency of interactions between companies/startups and public health institutions. Therefore, the aim of the roundtable discussion was to optimize the interface between those businesses and institutions. Several institutions have successfully implemented teams and procedures which aim to facilitate this interface, with regard to assessments of technology, services provided, the transfer of biological material, R&D collaboration, and licensing agreements.

Endothelial progenitor cells bind and inhibit platelet function and thrombus formation.

Background: Interactions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) with vascular and blood cells contribute to vascular homeostasis. Although platelets promote the homing of EPCs to sites of vascular injury and their differentiation into endothelial cells, the functional consequences of such interactions on platelets remain unknown. Herein, we addressed the interactions between EPCs and platelets and their impact on platelet function and thrombus formation.

Clopidogrel 600-mg double loading dose achieves stronger platelet inhibition than conventional regimens: results from the PREPAIR randomized study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the level of platelet inhibition achieved by 3 different clopidogrel loading regimens in patients undergoing elective angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention when appropriate.

Background: Optimal platelet inhibition is a key therapeutic goal for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Although 600 mg has been described as the maximum absorbed dose when given as a single bolus, the effects of 2 boluses given 24 h apart have not been described.

Coping with new challenges in acute coronary syndromes.

The acute coronary syndromes have become well-established clinical entities and are used as working diagnoses tied in with elaborate investigation and treatment practice guidelines. However, these syndromes remain challenging because their prevalence, morbidity and mortality remain high. Furthermore, these syndromes are demanding on the health care system because an early invasive management strategy is recommended for most patients with these conditions.

Variations of dopamine, serotonin, and amino acid concentrations in Noda epileptic rat (NER) retina.

Noda epileptic rats (NER) exhibit frequent spontaneous tonic-clonic convulsions which represent a valuable model of human epilepsy. If implication of brain neurotransmitters was largely reported, little is known about retina. However, it has been reported that human epilepsy syndrome varies not only with the location of seizure foci but also according to rhythmic patterns, for which retina has a major role in the transmission of external light-dark cycle information.

Inhibition and reversal of platelet aggregation by alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists depends on the anticoagulant and flow conditions: differential effects of Abciximab and Lamifiban.

Shear influences platelet aggregate formation and stability, as well as the inhibitory capacities of antithrombotic drugs. We compared the inhibitory and disaggregating properties of two distinct alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists, Abciximab and Lamifiban, on platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (5 micromol/l) in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), in an aggregometer (poorly defined low shear, <100/s) and in a microcouette at arterial shear rate (1,000/s). Platelet aggregation was detected by changes in light transmission in the aggregometer (TA), and by particle counting with a flow cytometer (PA).

Matching the evaluation of the clinical efficacy of clopidogrel to platelet function tests relevant to the biological properties of the drug.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore platelet function tests relevant to the biological effects of clopidogrel that could help the clinical monitoring of drug efficacy.

Background: Clopidogrel selectively inhibits the P2Y12 receptor, the major role of which is stabilization of aggregation, whereas initiation of aggregation depends on activity of both P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors.

Methods: Tests used were peak aggregation (Agg(max)) and late aggregation (Agg(6min)), and disaggregation, relating to P2Y1 and P2Y12 activity, respectively; and monoclonal antibody binding activated glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptors (PAC-1) and P-selectin, measuring activation and secretion.

In vivo comparative antithrombotic effects of ioxaglate and iohexol and interaction with the platelet antiaggregant clopidogrel.

Rationale And Objectives: Experiments were designed to (1) compare the effects of iodinated contrast media (CM) on a rat model of arterial thrombosis, (2) evaluate which element of the ioxaglate solution supports its antithrombotic activity, and (3) investigate the interaction of ionic and non-ionic CM with the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel.

Materials And Methods: Carotid thrombosis was induced in rats by extravascular application of a filter paper soaked in FeCl3 (35% vol/wt), proximal to an ultrasonic flow probe. (1) The antithrombotic potential of low-osmolar ionic (ioxaglate Na/meglumine) or nonionic contrast media (iohexol and iodixanol) (all 1600 mg iodine/kg, IV) was assessed by measuring the time to occlusion (TTO) of the carotid artery and the thrombus weight (TW).

Serotonin synthesis and its light-dark variation in the rat retina.

Retinal circadian rhythms are driven by an intrinsic oscillator, using chemical signals such as melatonin, secreted by photoreceptor cells. The purpose of the present work was to identify the origin of serotonin, the precursor of melatonin, in the retina of adult rat, where no immunoreactivity for serotonin or tryptophan hydroxylase had ever been detected. To demonstrate local synthesis of serotonin in the rat retina, substrates of tryptophan hydroxylase, the first limiting enzyme in the serotonin pathway, have been used.