Research nurses collaborate with clinical nurses for success in the National Children's Study.

The National Children's Study is a longitudinal, prospective, observational study designed to enroll more than 100,000 children from more than 100 communities across the United States. In this article, research nurses share their experiences as members of one Vanguard Study Center in the planning, development, and implementation of tailored research protocols. Collaboration among research and clinical nurses and use of the RN birth team model were critical for success.

Central and peripheral renin-angiotensin systems in ouabain-induced hypertension.

Chronic subcutaneous infusion of ouabain causes hypertension via central pathways involving angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptor stimulation. The present study assessed plasma and tissue ANG I and II levels as well as AT1 receptor and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) mRNA levels and binding densities by real-time PCR and in vitro autoradiography in relevant brain nuclei and peripheral tissues (heart and kidney) in rats at 1 and/or 2 wk after start of ouabain infusion at 50 microg/day. After 2 wk (but not after 1 wk), blood pressures significantly increased (+15 mmHg).

Brain Na+,K+-ATPase isozyme activity and protein expression in ouabain-induced hypertension.

In normotensive rats, chronic infusion of exogenous ouabain causes hypertension involving central mechanisms. To determine whether ouabain-induced hypertension is associated with specific changes in brain Na+,K+-ATPase activity and expression, we assessed brain Na+,K+-ATPase isozyme activity and protein expression in rats treated with ouabain (50 microg/day s.c.