Methods: An Internet-based survey was sent to all members of the Endourological Society. Baseline characteristics on practice patterns (geographical region, age, years of practice, days per BYL719 supplier week of endourology, and number of cases in the previous year), compliance with various radiation protection measures (thyroid, chest and pelvic shields, gloves, glasses, and dosimeters), and prevalence of various orthopedic complaints (neck, back, hand, and

joint problems) were assessed. Furthermore, open-ended questions assessed reasons for noncompliance.

Results: Out of 160 surveys returned, 24 were excluded because of incomplete data. There was good compliance with chest and pelvic shields with 97% of endourologists reported wearing these. However, compliance with thyroid shields was only 68%. Furthermore, only 34.3%, 17.2%, and 9.7% of endourologists reported using dosimeters, lead-impregnated glasses, and gloves, respectively. Overall, 86 (64.2%) respondents complained of orthopedic problems. Specifically, 51 (38.1%) complained of back problems, 37 (27.6%) neck problems, 23 (17.2%) hand problems, and 19 (14.2%) complained of hip and knee problems. The prevalence of orthopedic complaints was significantly higher among African endourologists, older endourologists (>40 years), longer duration

of practice (>10 years) and combined annual caseload of ureteroscopies PFTα mouse (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomies (PCNL).

Conclusions: Compliance in the use of thyroid shields, dosimeters, and lead-impregnated glasses and gloves could be improved. Orthopedic complaints among practicing endourologists are common and correlate BB-94 research buy with the annual caseload of combined URS and PCNL.”
“Introduction. It is internationally agreed that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and long-term complications. To avoid these complications, it is often necessary to induce birth before

term. The impact of DM on spontaneous preterm birth (spontaneous labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes and/or cervical incompetence resulting in delivery before the completion of 37 gestation weeks) is still unexplained. Preterm birth accounts for the most neonatal deaths and infant morbidities, and therefore it still remains one of the biggest challenges in obstetrics.

Objective. Our study determined if there is an increasing tendency towards spontaneous preterm birth in mothers with gestational and preexisting DM.

Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, 187 pregnant women with gestational DM and preexisting DM were compared to a randomized control group consisting of 192 normoglycemic women concerning gestational age and perinatal outcome. Data were collected by the Medical University of Vienna. Multiple pregnancies and women with severe maternal diseases, such as preeclampsia, were excluded.

Results. Women with DM tended significantly more often to preterm births (P = 0.002).