Compartmentation of glutamic acid metabolism in brain slices

— (1) Compartmentation of glutamate metabolism in brain cortex previously observed only in vivo, has now been demonstrated in vitro.This was shown by using [U-¹⁴C]aspartate and [U-¹⁴C]glutamate as tracer substrates. (2) Preparation and maintenance of the slices at 0° resulted in reversible inhibition of glutamine synthesis. Preincubation at 37° for 10 min or preparation of the slices at room temperature partially overcame this inhibition. (3) Transfer to fresh medium after preincubation had an added stimulatory effect on glutamine synthesis. (4) Incubation in high K⁺ medium (27 mm ) altered the relative specific activity of glutamine. (5) The data are in keeping with the postulate of the existence of at least two different pools of citric acid cycle intermediates in the cerebral cortex.     

Studies on fungi in the root region

Summary Data are given on the fungi isolated from 30-day-old adventitious roots and seedling roots of severalAllium species by means of the root-washing technique. These fungi were typical root-surface forms includingCylindrocarpon, Fusarium, and sterile forms. The amount of root colonization observed, however, was not so great as with other higher plant roots.The nature and role of bulb surface contaminants is discussed in relation to the colonization of young roots, and is compared with the role of seed-coat contaminants in such colonization.     

Applicants to Canadian Medical Schools for 1966-67

An examination of applicants to Canadian medical schools for 1966-67 revealed that 4534 applications were received for the approximately 974 available places. The number of Canadian applications was 2866 and these were made by 1815 individual applicants, an increase of 48 over 1965-66. United States applicants declined from 1143 to 1013.Evaluations made by the schools concerning the acceptability of the Canadian applicants disclosed that 55 applicants who rated as “acceptable” by one or more schools failed to gain admission to any medical school in 1966-67 (as compared to 36 in 1965-66). However, of those applicants who did find a place 76 were evaluated as “marginal” or “unacceptable”, while another 126 were rated as “acceptable” by one school but “marginal” and/or “acceptable” by one or more other schools.These results were interpreted to imply that the Canadian medical schools were still experiencing difficulty in attracting well-qualified applicants for study in medicine.     

Protein carboxyl methyltransferase activity specific for age-modified aspartyl residues in mouse testes and ovaries: Evidence for translation during spermiogenesis

An antiserum prepared against the purified protein carboxyl methltransferase (PCMT) from bovine brain has been used to compare testicular and ovarian levels of the enzyme and to study the regulation of PCMT concentrations during spermatogenesis. The PCMT, which specifically modifies age-damaged aspartyl residues, is present at a significantly higher concentration in mature mouse testis than in ovary. However, the PCMT is present at nearly equal concentrations in extracts of germ cell-deficient ovaries and testes obtained from mutant atrichosislatrichosis mice. In normal testis, the concentration of the PCMT increases severalfold during the first 4–5 weeks after birth, paralleling the appearance and maturation of testicular germ cells. Both immunochemical and enzymatic measurements of PCMT specific activities in purified spermatogenic cell preparations indicate that PCMT levels are twofold and 3.5-fold higher in round spermatids and residual bodies, respectively, than in pachytene spermatocytes. The results are consistent with the enhanced synthesis and/or stability of the PCMT in spermatogenic cells and with the continued translation of the PCMT during the haploid portion of spermatogenesis. The relatively high levels of PCMT in spermatogenic cells may be important for the extensive metabolism of proteins accompanying spermatid condensation or for the repair of damaged proteins in translationally inactive spermatozoa.