The model squid-vibrio symbiosis provides a window into the impact of strain- and species-level differences during the initial stages of symbiont engagement.

Among horizontally acquired symbioses, the mechanisms underlying microbial strain- and species-level specificity remain poorly understood. Here, confocal-microscopy analyses and genetic manipulation of the squid-vibrio association revealed quantitative differences in a symbiont's capacity to interact with the host during initial engagement. Specifically, dominant strains of Vibrio fischeri, 'D-type', previously named for their dominant, single-strain colonization of the squid's bioluminescent organ, were compared with 'S-type', or 'sharing', strains, which can co-colonize the organ.

How much segmentation is needed in the health care marketplace? An exploratory study of HMO and non-HMO customers.

The health care landscape has changed dramatically. Consumers now seek plans whose benefits better fit their health care needs and desires for access to providers. This exploratory survey of more than 1,000 HMO and non-HMO customers found significant differences with respect to their selection processes for health plans and providers, and their expectations regarding access to and communication with health care providers.

Value of services provided by pharmaceutical companies: perceptions of physicians and pharmaceutical sales representatives.

Pharmaceutical sales representatives (PSRs) are a key component of pharmaceutical companies' marketing strategies in that they are the link between the pharmaceutical company and the physician. PSRs provide various services in order to increase the physician's prescribing activity of their companies' products. Given the high cost of recruiting, training, and supporting a PSR, it is important for PSRs to understand the relative significance physicians ascribe to services provided.

Perceptions of young adults as to the future of health care in the 21st century.

This study assessed the perceptions of the need for and quality of future health care programs of those who will be major users of medical services in the 21st century. Findings indicated that most recognize the importance of having medical coverage. While copayment costs were most important in health plan selection, less personal factors (e.

Alternative medicine among college students.

The use of "alternative" medicine has become increasingly popular in the United States. Books devoted to alternative medicine, e.g.

Health care in the 21st century: marketing's role in vertically integrated delivery systems.

Health care delivery has become one of the most significant economic and political issues of the 1990s. Historical efforts to reform the system to reduce costs while providing quality care to an ever-expanding population have not proven to be satisfactory. With attempts to restructure the industry for the 21st century come important implications for the marketing of health services.

An examination of physician use of and attitudes toward closed formulary drug programs.

Efforts to control the rising costs of drug budgets has centered primarily on the use of "closed formularies"--systems in which a set of drug products are pre-approved for dispensing to those eligible for expense coverage. Controversy, however, has surrounded these systems with respect to their effectiveness in controlling costs and their impacts on the quality of care for recipients. This study examined California physician attitudes towards the California Medicaid program's use of a closed formulary and treatment authorizations which must be obtained in order to dispense drugs not on the Medi-Cal pre-approved list.

Branded versus generic prescription drugs: perceptions of risk, efficacy, safety, and value.

Efforts to control the increasing costs of health care have created a major market for generic prescription drugs. The authors compare perceptions of the risks, efficacy, and value for the money of various brand name and generic prescription drugs to evaluate how well they will be accepted by current and potential users.

Marketing to public-aid recipients: an examination of pharmacy profitability.

Massive purchasing power, geographic outreach and defined buying methods often make public-aid recipients an attractive target market for pharmacies. Yet one must question how profitable such a target might be. This study shows that pharmacy profit levels for public-aid recipients below those earned in marketing to the private-pay patients may result in hidden benefits.