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Biomedical subjects

M D Wilkinson

Publications and source records attributed to M D Wilkinson.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Parallels between UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS and FIMBRIATA, genes controlling flower development in Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum.

The unusual floral organs (ufo) mutant of Arabidopsis has flowers with variable homeotic organ transformations and inflorescence-like characteristics. To determine the relationship between UFO and previously characterized meristem and organ identity genes, we cloned UFO and determined its expression pattern. The UFO gene shows extensive homology with FIMBRIATA (FIM), a gene mediating between meristem and organ identity genes in Antirrhinum. All three UFO mutant alleles that we sequenced are predicted to produce truncated proteins. UFO transcripts were first detected in early floral meristems, before organ identity genes had been activated. At later developmental stages, UFO expression is restricted to the junction between sepal and petal primordia. Phenotypic, genetic, and expression pattern comparisons between UFO and FIM suggest that they are cognate homologs and play a similar role in mediating between meristem and organ identity genes. However, some differences in the functions and genetic interactions of UFO and FIM were apparent, indicating that changes in partially redundant pathways have occurred during the evolutionary divergence of Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum.

Alleles

Gene expression during imaginal disc regeneration detected using enhancer-sensitive P-elements.

When imaginal disc fragments from Drosophila are cultured in adult female hosts, they either duplicate the part of the pattern specified by the fate map, or regenerate to replace the missing part. The new tissue is added by proliferation of a small number of cells from the cut edge, brought together when the wound heals to form a regeneration blastema. Specification of the new pattern has been explained by assuming interactions among cells of different positional value in the regeneration blastema. In order to identify genes which might mediate these events, we screened over eight hundred independently isolated autosomal insertions of an enhancer-sensitive P-element, for altered lac-z expression in regenerating discs following cell death induced by a temperature-sensitive cell-lethal mutation. Two further screens divided the positive lines into four groups based on appropriate timing of the lac-z response in the cell-lethal mutant background and the expected response to an alternate source of cell death. Expression in wing disc fragments cultured in vivo was most frequent in the target class defined by the screens. In this direct test, lac-z expression was found in 23 lines and in most cases was spatially and temporally correlated with the formation of the regeneration blastema. Our results suggest a very substantial transcriptional response during the early stages of imaginal disc regeneration. lac-z expression in control imaginal discs, embryos and adult ovaries of the positive lines was also assayed. The selected insertions included: a small class expressed only in discs undergoing regeneration and apparently not at any other stage, possibly representing genes active exclusively in regeneration; a larger class expressed in the embryo or during oogenesis, but not normally in imaginal discs, as expected for functions recruited from earlier stages of the developmental program; and finally a class with spatially patterned expression in normal discs. This class included several insertions with expression associated with compartment boundaries, including one at the decapentaplegic (dpp), and one at the crumbs (crb) locus, a growth factor homologue, and an EGF-repeat gene respectively. Some of the expression patterns observed in cultured disc fragments provide evidence for cell communication in the regeneration blastema.

Animals

A computer in the practice.

It is possible to buy a computer system, a printer and business application programs, all well designed for use in any office, for about 700 pounds. This brings computerisation within the reach of the smallest practice. In the last of his articles on practice management, Michael Wilkinson outlines how business systems can help in practice and provides a guide to the purchase of systems which can be upgraded to use specialized dental programs.

Computer Systems

Appointment systems.

At the heart of any dental practice is the appointment book. There cannot be a practice which does not depend upon appointments, yet many dentists seem to be unaware that they can control their appointments system. Practitioners may adopt an existing system which may no longer be appropriate and receptionists can remain oblivious to the pressures and burdens systems impose upon the dentist. In the third of his articles on practice management, Michael Wilkinson considers the problem.

Appointments and Schedules

Reception and office organisation.

The reception area is central to efficient administrative procedures and is the embodiment of the style of a practice as regularly seen by every patient. Planning a reception office is not difficult but it should be done carefully to ensure that it is efficient and cost effective. In the second of his articles on practice management, Michael Wilkinson looks at the essentials.

Appointments and Schedules

Management science.

Many dentists believe that they are poor businessmen. Some even take the view that business is none of their business. Neither attitude is realistic. This is the first of a series of six articles which, by outlining some basic ideas, will demonstrate that efficient practice management is not only desirable, but also achievable.

Dental Staff

Modification of an impulsive cognitive tempo in emotionally disturbed boys.

In order to determine the relative effectiveness of verbal self-instructions and training to delay before responding in modifying an impulsive cognitive style, 15 impulsive emotionally disturbed boys were assigned to one of three groups. The cognitive-training group was given practice in verbal self-instructions, the delay-training group received practice in delaying before responding, and the control group received no training. Posttreatment scores on the Matching Familiar Figures Test showed a significant increase in latencies for both the cognitive and delay-training groups. However, only the cognitive-training group, which had received practice in verbal self-instructions, made fewer errors following training. Implications for future research and potential treatment strategies for verbal self-instructions are discussed.

Affective Symptoms