Following Suberization in Potato Wound Periderm by Histochemical and Solid-State 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Methods.

The time course of suberization in wound periderm from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) has been monitored by histochemical and high-resolution solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. Light microscopy conducted after selective staining of the lipid and double-bonded constituents shows that suberin is deposited at the outermost intact cell-wall surface during the first 7 d of wound healing; suberization forms a barrier to tissue infiltration at later times. Cross polarization-magic angle spinning 13C NMR spectra demonstrate the deposition of a polyester containing all major suberin functional groups after just 4 d of wound healing. Initially the suberin includes a large proportion of aromatic groups and fairly short aliphatic chains, but the spectral data demonstrate the growing dominance of long-chain species during the period 7 to 14 d after wounding. The results of preliminary 13C-labeling experiments with sodium [2-13C]acetate and DL-[1-13C]phenylalanine provide an excellent prospectus for future NMR-based studies of suberin biosynthesis.

Defining and assessing risky behaviours.

This paper presents the deliberations and conclusions of an international group of health practitioners, researchers and planners who met in 1991 to explore risky behaviours and risk assessment in the context of the World Health Organization's strategy Health for All By 2000. A definition of risky behaviours is discussed and a method of exploring risk contexts, 'a risk equation', is presented. Lay risk assessment is explored and contrasted with professional perceptions of risk as evidenced in health education campaigns. It is concluded that the application of epidemiological techniques--the study of the incidence and prevalence of risk-related and health-related behaviours--employing qualitative methods provides a useful means of exploring the social and cultural context of risk behaviour.

Advanced training in general practice in the UK for overseas postgraduates.

The strengths of general practice in the UK as a training environment for overseas doctors intending to implement the World Health Organization strategy 'Health for All by the Year 2000' in primary care are identified. A course of advanced training for teachers and administrators of primary care is described and evaluated in terms of participants' academic achievements and wider issues, including influence upon the development of primary care in their countries of origin.

Preferences of healthy and ill patients for style of general practitioner care: implications for workload and financial incentives under the new contract.

Seven hundred and sixty patients from four general practices in an urban health centre were asked to evaluate the relative importance of 20 statements describing different aspects of general practice. Significant differences were observed between sub-groups of the patients, in particular those who would be likely to make greater use of the general practitioner--the elderly and the ill. Patients who reported not good or poor health status were more likely to value second opinions and, conversely, undervalue efficient prescribing, and an emphasis on vaccinations, cervical smears and check ups. Elderly patients placed greater emphasis on second opinions, protection in their relationship with the hospital, routine visits to the elderly and friendly staff, and similarly undervalued an emphasis on vaccinations, cervical smears and check ups. This means that practices which increase their list size to benefit from higher capacitation payments might, depending on their characteristics, attract predominantly healthy people and increase patient numbers without a commensurate increase in workload. Other facets of the payment system, in particular fees for health promotion work, further support this bias against ill patients.