Methods guiding stakeholder engagement in planning a pragmatic study on changing stroke systems of care.

Background: The Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Study is one of the first large pragmatic randomized-controlled clinical trials using comparative effectiveness research methods, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. In the COMPASS Study, we compare the effectiveness of a patient-centered, transitional care intervention versus usual care for stroke patients discharged home from acute care. Outcomes include stroke patient post-discharge functional status and caregiver strain 90 days after discharge, and hospital readmissions.

Creation of a grant support service within a Women's Health Center of Excellence: experiences and lessons learned.

Purpose: The Research Support Core (RSC) began in the Women's Health Center of Excellence at Wake Forest University Health Sciences to (1) augment the institution's capacity to win grants in women's health and (2) assist women faculty in obtaining extramural funding.

Methods: The RSC began in July 2002 with a director, a research associate/scientific editor, and a budget specialist (total 0.7 full-time equivalents [FTE]).

Randomized clinical trials of hormone replacement therapy for treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease: a review of the findings.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in women. Epidemiologic, mechanistic, and animal-model studies have produced convincing evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could substantially decrease rates of CHD in women. However, several randomized clinical trials of HRT in women with CHD have been unable to confirm the earlier suggestions of benefit, and there has even been a suggestion of increased CHD risk.

Vascular effects of dietary L-arginine supplementation.

The vascular endothelium is acknowledged to play an important role in vascular physiology. Attention has focused on endothelial production of nitric oxide as a key element in many of the processes associated with the development of atherosclerosis. L-arginine is the substrate for the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is responsible for the endothelial production of nitric oxide.