In vivo rates of protein synthesis in brain,muscle, and liver of five vertebrate species

To compare cerebral protein metabolism rates in vivo, protein synthesis rates of three organs of five vertebrate species were measured after a single i.p. injection of a flooding dose of [1-¹⁴C]valine. In muscle, brain, and liver, the respective average protein synthesis rates, expressed as percent of total protein-bound valine replaced per hour, that is, percent synthesis per hour, in goldfish at 22°C body temperature, were 0.07, 0.23, and 0.57%; in the bullfrog at 20°C, 0.06, 0.18, and 0.55%; in the white Leghorn chicken at 39°C, 0.24, 0.70, and 2.17%; and in the mouse at 38°C, 0.22, 0.65, and 2.0%. In the Tokay lizard at different body temperatures, the synthesis rates were 0.04, 0.13, and 0.43% at 26°C; 0.05, 0.20, and 0.63% at 32°C; and 0.07, 0.27, and 0.81% at 38°C. The results demonstrate differences in protein synthesis rates in organs of the various species examined. The differences among the species seem to be due, to a major extent, to differences in body temperature; rates in lizard are below those in other species at temperatures tried. Protein synthesis rates in brain in all species are almost three times lower than those in liver and almost three times higher than those in muscle.     

Sterilisation of explants and cultures with sodium dichloroisocyanurate

The effectiveness of Sodium dichloroisocyanurate as a disinfectant for micropropagated plants was assessed. Analysis of the microbial flora of micropropagated plants showed a wide range of bacteria with predominantly Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas and Actinomycetes. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate was highly stable both as preprepared tablets and as solutions maintained at room temperature. Sterilisation of a range of plants which were heavily contaminated with bacteria was examined. Phytotoxicity was generally low and restricted to old leaves and cut surfaces. Solutions of Sodium dichloroisocyanurate were more effective at high concentrations (5000 ppm) than a commercially available bleach for disinfection of shoot cultures. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate was also used at low concentrations (300 ppm) for longer periods (24 h–48 h) to disinfect shoot explants from the field, and was at least as effective for sterilisation as a combination of Mercuric Chloride and Calcium hypochlorite.Abbreviations NaDCC Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate