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.