Observing many researchers using the same data and hypothesis reveals a hidden universe of uncertainty.

This study explores how researchers' analytical choices affect the reliability of scientific findings. Most discussions of reliability problems in science focus on systematic biases. We broaden the lens to emphasize the idiosyncrasy of conscious and unconscious decisions that researchers make during data analysis.

Special education and care services for children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders in France: Families' opinion and satisfaction.

This study focused on parents' satisfaction with the special education and care services proposed to their child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Data were collected in three regions of France, using a questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study. Among the 530 families contacted, 212 filled in the questionnaire (response rate = 40.

Determinants of malaria prophylaxis among German travelers to Kenya, Senegal, and Thailand.

Background: Malaria chemoprophylaxis is a mainstay of malaria prevention in travelers. Adequate pretravel advice forms the basis for efficient malaria prophylaxis. This study assessed the determinants for seeking pretravel advice and evaluated the quality of advice from each source and its influence on the patterns and outcome of malaria prophylaxis intake.

Notifiable disease surveillance and practicing physicians.

Primary care physicians in Germany are essential participants in infectious disease surveillance through mandatory reporting. Feedback on such surveillance should reflect the needs and attitudes of these physicians. These issues were investigated in a questionnaire survey among 8,550 randomly sampled physicians in Germany in 2001.

Nationwide survey of the role of travel medicine in primary care in Germany.

Background: With more persons traveling to (sub)tropical destinations, travel medicine is an increasing challenge for the health care system in many countries. This study investigated the role and scope of travel medicine provided by general practitioners (GPs) in primary health care, assessed the determinants of specific prophylactic recommendations, and identified the needs of GPs regarding training and cooperation in travel medicine.

Methods: A national survey was conducted among randomly selected GPs in Germany.

Bactericidal activity of selected antimicrobial agents against Bilophila wadsworthia and Bacteroides gracilis.

Bactericidal assays of Bacteroides gracilis (six strains) and Bilophila wadsworthia (12 strains) in brucella broth with appropriate supplements were performed by the time-kill kinetic method. Antimicrobial agents tested were ampicillin/sulbactam (final concentrations, 16/8 micrograms/mL), ticarcillin/clavulanate (128/2 micrograms/mL), imipenem (8 micrograms/mL), cefoxitin (32 micrograms/mL), chloramphenicol (16 micrograms/mL), clindamycin (4 micrograms/mL), and metronidazole (16 micrograms/mL). Although all antimicrobial agents tested inhibited growth of all Bilophila strains during the first 24 hours, bactericidal activity was variable; only metronidazole was uniformly bactericidal.

[Special problems of young rheumatic patients with occupational placement].

In a study initiated by the German League against Rheumatism, 433 young patients with rheumatic disorders (mean age 27 years, disease duration 7.5 years, 60% female, 40% male) were questioned in 1989 for the first time to ascertain disease-related problems encountered at school or during professional training. Their self-reported diagnoses were 68.

[Developing occupational integration of patients with chronic polyarthritis during productive years].

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disorder that depends on the activity of the disease, the severeness of the functional losses, and the degree of suffering from pain. In a study of 817 RA patients it could be shown that the occupational status depends as much on the severing of the disease as on the job status, educational status, and income.

[The "Emmerich Arthritis Record", function and acceptance within the scope of an integrated treatment concept].

For a comprehensive model of rheumatoid arthritis treatment, we designed an arthritis manual for continuous treatment of chronic illness. One goal of introducing the manual to the patients was the improvement of communication between patient and different doctors and therapists. The first part includes of a doctor's documentation sheet and a patient calendar (6 months each) for daily self-documentation of drug compliance.