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Biomedical subjects

L Dolan

Publications and source records attributed to L Dolan.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The development of cell pattern in the root epidermis.

The root epidermis of most angiosperms is composed of a patterned array of hair and non-hair cells. Hair cells may develop randomly in any location in the epidermis (type 1), from specialized cells that form as result of an asymmetric cell division in a mother cell (type 2) or cells may be arranged in files of one cell type or the other (type 3). The development of the epidermis in Arabidopsis has been examined in detail and corresponds to type 3 epidermal development. A combination of physiological and genetic observations indicates that ethylene is a positive regulator of root hair differentiation. Differential exposure of epidermal cells to ethylene as a result of the cellular geometry of the root may account for the wild-type epidermal pattern.

Arabidopsis↗

Secondary nitroalkanes: induction of DNA repair in rat hepatocytes, activation by aryl sulfotransferase and hepatocarcinogenicity of 2-nitrobutane and 3-nitropentane in male F344 rats.

The secondary nitroalkanes, 2-nitropropane, 2-nitrobutane, 3-nitropentane, 2-nitroheptane, nitrocyclopentane and nitrocyclohexane, as well as the primary nitroalkanes, 1-nitropropane, 1-nitrobutane, 1-nitropentane and 1-nitroheptane, were examined for their ability to induce DNA repair in rat hepatocytes and to serve as substrates for activation by partially purified rat liver aryl sulfotransferase in vitro. All of the secondary, but none of the primary nitroalkanes examined, induced significant DNA repair in rat hepatocytes. Also, the nitronates of all of the secondary nitroalkanes, but none of the primary nitroalkanes, served as substrates for the aryl sulfotransferase-catalysed production of 8-aminoguanosine and 8-oxoguanosine from guanosine in vitro. In a carcinogenicity assay using male F344 rats, the secondary nitroalkanes, 2-nitrobutane and 3-nitropentane, produced a highly significant incidence of hepatocarcinoma with metastases to the lungs, whereas the primary nitroalkane, 1-nitrobutane, was not carcinogenic. While a low incidence of hepatocarcinoma was also produced by cyclopentanone oxime, the results were not statistically significant. Since the secondary nitroalkane, 2-nitropropane, in contrast to the primary nitroalkane, 1-nitropropane, was also previously shown to be hepatocarcinogenic in rats, it is probable that secondary nitroalkanes constitute a hitherto unrecognized class of chemical carcinogens.

Animals↗

Plant development: pulled up by the roots.

Recent advances in the study of root development in Arabidopsis have begun to yield mechanistic insights into the processes that underpin morphogenesis, pattern formation and cell differentiation in plants. The most exciting feature of these advances is that, as a consequence of the simple and largely invariant cellular architecture of the root, the processes can be studied at a cellular level. Nevertheless, it is clear that although the cell lineages of the root are relatively invariant, we have no evidence that lineage per se is an important regulator of development. Instead, all the evidence indicates that the positional regulation of inductive cues is of primary importance. The availability of new root mutants is alerting us to the complexity of the contribution of cell size and cell expansion to plant development.

Arabidopsis↗

Ethylene is a positive regulator of root hair development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Evidence is provided that ethylene is a positive regulator of hair cell development in the root epidermis of Arabidopsis thaliana. Treatment of seedlings with increasing concentrations of the ethylene precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) results in progressively more root hair cells developing in positions normally occupied by non-hair cells. Consistent with these findings are observations that treatments that block either ethylene synthesis or its perception reduce the number of root hairs. A model is proposed in which either ethylene or ACC is a signal involved in specifying the pattern of cell differentiation in the Arabidopsis root epidermis.

Arabidopsis↗

Cellular organisation of the Arabidopsis thaliana root.

The anatomy of the developing root of Arabidopsis is described using conventional histological techniques, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The root meristem is derived from cells of the hypophysis and adjacent cells of the embryo proper. The postembryonic organization of the root is apparent in the mature embryo and is maintained in the growing primary root after germination. Cell number and location is relatively invariant in the primary root, with 8 cortical and endodermal cell files but more variable numbers of pericycle and epidermal cells. The organisation of cells in lateral roots is similar to that of the primary root but with more variability in the numbers of cell files in each layer. [3H]thymidine labeling of actively growing roots indicates that a quiescent centre of four central cells (derived from the hypophysis) is located between the root cap columella and the stele. This plate of four cells is surrounded by three groups of cells in, proximal, distal and lateral positions. The labeling patterns of these cells suggest that they are the initials for the files of cells that comprise the root. They give rise to four sets of cell files: the stele, the cortex and endodermis, the epidermis and lateral root-cap and the columella. A model of meristem activity is proposed based on these data. This description of Arabidopsis root structure underpins future work on the developmental genetics of root morphogenesis.

Arabidopsis↗

Immunological characteristics in cattle of allergens derived from smooth Brucella abortus S99.

Allergens prepared from a smooth strain of Brucella abortus (S99) were used in an intradermal test for the diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle. The development and testing of the allergen from the initial less purified stages is described. The removal of serological activity noted in some of the earlier preparations can be related to the elimination of molecules of high molecular weight. The final allergen is of a high order of sensitivity and specificity and does not cause production of complement fixing or agglutinating antibodies. Intradermal testing with such an allergen could be a most useful addition to present serological procedures as it could be carried out at the same time as tuberculin testing. As a routine surveillance test, particularly in low prevalence areas, it would eliminate the necessity for extensive blood sampling and in many cases detect the infected herd before serological tests would have become positive.

Agglutination Tests↗

The mutagenic effect of the new insecticide and acaricide pyridathion.

The potential mutagenic effect of the new organophosphate insecticide and acaricide, pyridathion, was tested on Escherichia coli, strains WP2, WP2 uvrA, and on Salmonella typhimurium, strains TA100 and TA98, both with and without metabolic activation. The compound was tested at 1, 10 and 100 micrograms/ml. The analysis of chromosomal aberrations in mouse bone marrow was performed after a single peroral application of pyridathion at doses of 0.6, 1.11, 6.0, 12.0 and 24.0 mg . kg-1 b.w., i.p. application at 6.0 mg . kg-1 b.w., and repeated application (5 times) p.o. at 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg . kg-1 b.w. Analysis of rat bone marrow was performed after a 3-month peroral application of pyridathion at 0.07, 0.175 and 0.35 mg . kg-1 b.w. An analysis of chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro was performed 24 h after the application of pyridathion into the culture in concentrations of 9.2 X 10(-3), 9.2 X 10(-4) and 9.2 X 10(-5) moles. The insecticide did not exert any mutagenic effect on the bacteria. There was no significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in bone marrow of mice of rats, or in human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro, compared with controls.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the mutagenic effect of the new fungicide trimorphamide.

The new Czechoslovak fungicide trimorphamide was tested for its mutagenic activity. To evaluate the potential mutagenic effects on Drosophila, trimorphamide at 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0% was administered into the cultivation medium, and the sex-linked recessive lethal mutation detection test and the chromosome nondisjunction test were used. After administration of trimorphamide to mice at 60, 150 and 300 mg . kg-1 b.w. perorally, and 30, 70 and 150 mg . kg-1 b.w. intraperitoneally in single and repeated (5X) doses, a cytogenetic analysis of chromosomal aberrations in bone-marrow cells was performed. The cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral lymphocytes for chromosomal aberrations in vitro was performed 24 h after trimorphamide had been applied into the culture in concentrations 19.1 X 10(-3), 19.1 X 10(-4) and 19.1 X 10(-5) M. Under our testing conditions the trimorphamide concentrations used did not show any mutagenic effect upon Drosophila, compared with the controls. Also, under the conditions of the cytogenetic analysis, no significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in mouse bone marrow or in human peripheral lymphocyte was observed compared with the group of controls.

Animals↗

General practitioners in the Western Metropolitan Health Region of Sydney.

A comprehensive survey of the number of general practitioners in the Western Metropolitan Health Region of Sydney identified 753 general practitioners with one or more practice locations in the region; this was the equivalent of 711 full-time general practitioners, and represented a general practitioner-population ratio of 1:1533.

Australia↗

Recruitment for phase I of the trials of hypertension prevention.

Phase I of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial designed to determine the efficacy of seven nonpharmacologic interventions in reducing blood pressure among persons with high-normal diastolic blood pressure. The initial goal for recruitment was to enroll 2,100 participants over a nine-month period. The two major strategies for reaching potential participants were direct mailings and work site screenings. The yield from the first screening visit to randomization was 13% overall, with clinic-specific yields ranging from 4.5% to 31.7%. After five months of recruitment, approximately 60% of the goal for that point in the recruitment timetable had been randomized. Clinical centers falling short of their goals at that time altered their recruitment strategies and intensified their efforts, and centers that had exceeded their goals recruited additional participants. As a result, 2,182 participants, or 104% of the goal for recruitment, were randomized over a 13-month period. Those clinics using a cohort, or wave, type of enrollment were most successful in achieving their recruitment goals within the prescribed timetable.

Adult↗