Antibiotic prescribing at a periodontal residency practice in Connecticut.

Background: Antibiotics are important in the treatment of odontogenic infections and the prevention of infection following dental procedures in high-risk situations. Little is known about antibiotic prescribing in periodontal practice. This study describes prescribing practices by periodontal faculty and residents in an academic setting in order to identify opportunities to optimize prescribing behaviors.

Continent-wide Shifts in Song Dialects of White-Throated Sparrows.

Hypotheses on regional song variation ("dialects") assume that dialects remain stable within regions, are distinct between regions, and persist within populations over extensive periods [1-3]. Theories to explain dialects focus on mechanisms that promote persistence of regional song variants despite gene flow between regions [4-6], such as juveniles settling in non-natal populations retaining only those songs from their repertoires that match neighbors [7, 8]. It would be considered atypical for a novel song variant to invade and replace the established regional variant.

A risk-adjusted financial model to estimate the cost of a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy programme.

Objective: To develop a clinically risk-adjusted financial model to estimate the cost associated with a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy programme.

Methods: Prospectively collected data of 236 VATS lobectomy patients (August 2012-December 2013) were analysed retrospectively. Fixed and variable intraoperative and postoperative costs were retrieved from the Hospital Accounting Department.

Purchasing and Using Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS): how decisions are made by community-dwelling seniors in Canada.

Background: As the demographic of older people continues to grow, health services that support independence among community-dwelling seniors have become increasingly important. Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) are medical alert systems, designed to serve as a safety net for seniors living alone. Health care professionals often recommend that seniors in danger of falls or other medical emergencies obtain a PERS.