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Biomedical subjects

C R Peterson

Publications and source records attributed to C R Peterson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Evaluation of prescription charges in a health maintenance organization.

Differing patterns in drug use and charge variances among three pharmacy sites were determined for a university-based health maintenance organization (HMO). Computerized prescription claim data for the HMO inhouse pharmacy and those chain and independent pharmacies contracting with the HMO were analyzed on a personal computer using database management and statistical software. Chain and independent pharmacies were under contract to charge the average wholesale price plus a $2.00 fee per prescription. Drug-claim data were separated by pharmacy site (inhouse, chain, and independent), and the data for each site were sorted by national drug code number. High-charge and high-use drugs were identified for evaluation on a unit-charge basis. During the six-month study period, 22,393 prescriptions were filled, representing total charges of $347,063.79. The mean per-prescription charges submitted to the HMO by the chain, independent, and inhouse sites were $14.99, $16.08, and $16.41, respectively. The inhouse pharmacy had many charges in high dollar ranges. Of 10 high-charge drugs analyzed, isotretinoin 40 mg, flunisolide nasal solution, naproxen 250 mg, cyclosporine oral solution, and atenolol 50 mg were dispensed in significantly different proportions at each site. There were significant differences in unit prices of nine high-use drugs among pharmacy sites. This study indicates the importance of evaluating adverse selection among pharmacy sites and the value of auditing claims submitted.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed1988

Two forms of RPO41-dependent RNA polymerase. Regulation of the RNA polymerase by glucose repression may control yeast mitochondrial gene expression.

We have identified two chromatographically separable forms of mitochondrial RNA polymerase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae which utilize different DNA templates. One form is only active in a nonselective assay utilizing a poly[d(A-T)] template. The other form selectively initiates from a mitochondrial promoter consensus sequence. Both enzymes can be extracted from yeast mitochondria and all components are encoded by nuclear genes. The possibility that these two activities represent core and holoenzyme forms of the multicomponent mitochondrial RNA polymerase is supported by our observation that both enzymes are absent from a strain bearing a disrupted copy of the RPO41 gene (Greenleaf, A. L., Kelly, J. L., and Lehman, I. R. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 83, 3391-3399). The two enzyme activities are differentially regulated by carbon source; the nonselective enzyme is repressed during growth on glucose relative to the selective enzyme. The 5-fold increase in RNA polymerase activity on a nonrepressing carbon source correlates with the increased level of transcript production from mitochondrial DNA. These results suggest that the mitochondrial RNA polymerase and, in consequence, mitochondrial transcription are regulated by carbon catabolite control.

Chromatography↗
PubMed1984

Constancy of ribosomal RNA genes during aging of mouse heart cells and during serial passage of WI-38 cells.

The DNA content and ribosomal RNA gene copy number in heart of the inbred mouse strain C57BL/6 were determined at different ages. The DNA content of mouse heart remained constant, at about 150 micrograms DNA per heart, from 1 to 30 mth of age. The number of rRNA genes, as estimated by 28S rRNA . DNA hybridization, was not found to change significantly as a function of age. Likewise, the extent of rRNA hybridization to DNA from cultured human WI-38 cells at early and late passage levels was the same. These data support the notion that genomic rDNA sequences are not lost during in vivo and in vitro aging. However, the rDNA sequences are quite large and numerous small deletions or base pair substitutions would not have been detected in these studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Time and cost analysis of a computerized outpatient pharmacy.

The time and cost of implementing and operating a computerized outpatient pharmacy was compared with similar components of a traditional system. Time and motion observations were used to analyze the time required to complete each component of the dispensing process for outpatient prescriptions and clinic-administered medications. Capital equipment expenditures and operating costs were compared for both systems. The computerized dispensing process for outpatient prescriptions showed a significant decrease in total dispensing process time, attributed primarily to the clerical component. Total dispensing process times for clinic-administered medications were not significantly different for the two systems. As compared with the traditional system, the computerized system's implementation and operating costs were higher for both outpatient prescriptions and clinic-administered medications. The computerized system decreased the time needed to complete the dispensing process but at an increased cost when compared with a traditional dispensing system.

Computers↗
PubMed1982

Familial spastic paraplegia: a clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluation.

Twenty members of a family with an autosomal dominant variety of a familial spastic paraplegia (FSP) underwent neurologic and electrodiagnostic examination. The degree of clinical involvement ranged from severe to none. This study investigated the presence of peroneal H reflex of Hoffmann along with other electrodiagnostic parameters in each family member and compared this with the presence of other neurologic findings. An H reflex in the peroneal nerve was found in all subjects with a definite diagnosis of FSP and in 4 of the 6 subjects with a diagnosis of probable FSP. It was not elicited in any subject with fewer than 3 neurologic signs or below the age of 25. The H reflex was found to have value as an indicator of upper motor neuron involvement when taken together with the neurologic findings, but its predictive value for individuals at risk to develop FSP has not been established.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Slowly progressive autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia with late onset, variable expression and reduced penetrance: a basis for diagnosis and counseling.

We have examined a pedigree in which familial spastic paraplegia (FSP) is segregating in four generations. The data show a high rate of transmission of the trait, late onset, reduced penetrance, variable age and symptom expressivity, and an autosomal dominant mode of transmission. A summary of our data together with the FSP data of other shows a 1:1 transmission from males and from females, and an overall 1:1 transmission ratio. The risks for the children of symptomatic and non-symptomatic parents are illustrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Some determinants of the reinforcing and punishing effects of timeout.

Some determinants of the reinforcing and punishing properties of timeout were investigated in two experiments. Experiment I began as an attempt to reduce the frequency of tantrums in a 6-yr-old autistic girl by using timeout. Unexpectedly, the result was a substantial increase in the frequency of tantrums. Using a reversal design, subsequent manipulations showed that the opportunity to engage in self-stimulatory behavior during the timeout period was largely responsible for the increase in tantrums. Experiment II was initiated following the failure of timeout to reduce the spitting and self-injurious behavior of a 16-yr-old retarded boy. Using a multiple-baseline design, the nature of the timein environment was shown to be an important determinant of the effects of timeout. When the timein environment was "enriched", timeout was effective as a punisher. A conception of timeout in terms of the relative reinforcing properties of timein and timeout and their clinical implications are discussed.

Adolescent↗