Including adolescents of childbearing potential in clinical trials with possible exposure to teratogenic medication: a challenge for paediatricians and researchers.

The issue of contraception and pregnancy tests among minor adolescent women participating in clinical trials, whether healthy or suffering from a disease, represents a challenging issue for paediatricians and researchers, given the potential harmful effect of various therapeutic procedures being tested. First, they need to gauge at what age or developmental stage they need to impose pregnancy tests and contraception. Second, if the adolescent denies any sexual activity, it may be ethically questionable to impose such procedures.

Effect of long-term adherence to clopidogrel on the VASP-PRI after elective coronary stent implantation: a randomized controlled study.

Aims: The biological response to clopidogrel is highly variable and a poor responsiveness is associated with major adverse cardiac events. Adherence to therapy is a major cause of poor responsiveness but its impact on long-term platelet inhibition is unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different programmes monitoring adherence to clopidogrel on platelet reactivity.

Urine Fetuin-A is a biomarker of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease progression.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by numerous fluid-filled cysts that frequently result in end-stage renal disease. While promising treatment options are in advanced clinical development, early diagnosis and follow-up remain a major challenge. We therefore evaluated the diagnostic value of Fetuin-A as a new biomarker of ADPKD in human urine.