Society of gynecologic surgeons' survey: mesh use in vaginal prolapse surgery.

Objective: : To evaluate the practice patterns of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS) members and guests regarding the use of synthetic mesh in vaginal prolapse repair.

Methods: : A 26-item questionnaire regarding synthetic mesh use in vaginal prolapse repair was placed on the desks of those SGS attendees present at the fourth scientific session of the 2008 annual scientific meeting. Voluntary participation was requested and the survey questionnaires were retrieved at the session's conclusion.

The relationship between alcohol use, eating habits and weight change in college freshmen.

Purpose: This study aims to improve understanding of how alcohol consumption in college freshmen affects eating patterns before, during, and after drinking, as well as its relation to body weight change.

Methods: Two hundred eighty-two college freshmen (61% female; 59% Caucasian) completed measures of alcohol use, measured body mass index (BMI), and eating and activity habits before, during and following drinking episodes. Students were categorized by drinking status (non-drinker, low-risk, and moderate/high-risk) in order to explore group differences.

Attitudes toward the physical examination: a comparison of U.S. and Dominican medical students.

Background: Little information exists regarding whether medical students learning in relatively resource-scarce countries develop greater confidence in their physical examination skills or whether, compared to U.S. medical students, they have more positive attitudes regarding the utility of the physical examination.