Best practices for survey research reports revisited: implications of target population, probability sampling, and response rate.

Several papers have been published recently in the Journal addressing "best practices" for survey research manuscripts. This paper explores in more detail the effects of the target population size on sample size determination, probability sampling versus census approaches, and response rates and the relationship to potential nonresponse bias. Survey research is a complex methodology requiring expertise in the planning, execution, and analytic stages.

Phage-associated mutator phenotype in group A streptococcus.

Defects in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) occur frequently in natural populations of pathogenic and commensal bacteria, resulting in a mutator phenotype. We identified a unique genetic element in Streptococcus pyogenes strain SF370 that controls MMR via a dynamic process of prophage excision and reintegration in response to growth. In S.

Programmatic assessment of student experiences using a longitudinal survey.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to gather longitudinal data on a pharmacy class cohort concerning programmatic components as well as develop a profile of student experiences as they progress through the curriculum.

Methods: The Class of 2006 (n = 67) completed a 2 page instrument at the conclusion of the first 3 professional years (PY) concerning hours spent in various activities, overall quality of various programmatic components, relationships with others in the college, and employment information. During senior week, a more extensive exit survey was administered.

Medical therapy: where are we now?

Purpose: This article reviews the mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of the nonbiologic, or traditional, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), particularly methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide, and hydroxychloroquine. It also addresses various aspects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials that warrant careful interpretation, including response criteria, outcomes measurements, study designs, and results of combination therapy trials.

Summary: The considerable progress in the treatment of RA over the past 20 years is due in large part to a better understanding of how to use DMARDs optimally and the introduction of biologic agents.

Increased risk of extrapyramidal side-effect treatment associated with atypical antipsychotic polytherapy.

Objective: To determine whether atypical antipsychotic polytherapy is a risk factor for drug treatment for extrapyramidal side-effects (anti-EPS drugs) and whether the risk is attributable to antipsychotic dose.

Method: We studied Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries aged 18-64 years with an active atypical and no conventional antipsychotic on January 1, 2001. The association of atypical antipsychotic polytherapy with anti-EPS drug treatment was determined.

Trichloroethylene ototoxicity: evidence for a cochlear origin.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is known to produce an unusual pattern of hearing impairment in laboratory animals marked by a preferential loss of threshold sensitivity at midfrequencies. The purpose of this research was to determine whether the TCE-induced auditory deficit results from cochlear dysfunction. Adult Long Evans hooded rats were exposed via inhalation to either 0 (clean air) or 4000 ppm TCE (6 h/day for 5 days).