The mammalian testis-specific thioredoxin system

Redox control of cell physiology is one of the most important regulatory mechanisms in all living organisms. The thioredoxin system, composed of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase, has emerged as a key player in cellular redox-mediated reactions. For many years, only one thioredoxin system had been described in higher organisms, ubiquitously expressed in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. However, during the last decade, we and others have identified and characterized novel thioredoxin systems with unique properties, such as organelle-specific localization in mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum, tissue-specific distribution mostly in the testis, and features novel for thioredoxins, such as microtubule-binding properties. In this review, we will focus on the mammalian testis-specific thioredoxin system that comprises three thioredoxins exclusively expressed in spermatids (named Sptrx-1, Sptrx-2, and Sptrx-3) and an additional thioredoxin highly expressed in testis, but also present in lung and other ciliated tissues (Txl-2). The implications of these findings in the context of male fertility and testicular cancer, as well as evolutionary aspects, will be discussed.     

Muscular fatigue during repeated isokinetic shoulder forward flexions in young females

Summary Peak torque, work, mean power and electromyographic (EMG) activity were recorded for each of 150 repeated isokinetic maximal shoulder flexions (45°–90°) in 23 healthy females. From the EMG signals of trapezius, deltoid, infraspinatus and biceps brachii the mean power frequency and the signal amplitude were determined in real time. The mechanical output showed a steep decrease during the first 40 contractions, followed by a plateau maintained until the end. In all muscles, except the biceps brachii, significant decreases in mean power frequency occurred during the first 40 contractions, showing a tendency to stabilize around the same absolute frequency value. Signal amplitude increased in the trapezius, the deltoid and the infraspinatus, but was constant in the biceps brachii. For some individuals rather high EMG activity was recorded in the muscles during the time the arm was supposed to be passively extended to the starting position, and this was found to be associated with lower strength and endurance levels. Longitudinal analyses showed that the mean power frequencies correlated better than the signal amplitudes with the three mechanical variables. The results suggest that the initial steep decrease in mechanical performance and mean power frequency is caused by fatiguing of type 2 motor units.     

The architecture of variant surface glycoprotein gene expression sites in Trypanosoma brucei

Trypanosoma brucei evades the immune system by switching between Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) genes. The active VSG gene is transcribed in one of approximately 20 telomeric expression sites (ESs). It has been postulated that ES polymorphism plays a role in host adaptation. To gain more insight into ES architecture, we have determined the complete sequence of Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BACs) containing DNA from three ESs and their flanking regions. There was variation in the order and number of ES-associated genes (ESAGs). ESAGs 6 and 7, encoding transferrin receptor subunits, are the only ESAGs with functional copies in every ES that has been sequenced until now. A BAC clone containing the VO2 ES sequences comprised approximately half of a 330 kb 'intermediate' chromosome. The extensive similarity between this intermediate chromosome and the left telomere of T. brucei 927 chromosome I, suggests that this previously uncharacterised intermediate size class of chromosomes could have arisen from breakage of megabase chromosomes. Unexpected conservation of sequences, including pseudogenes, indicates that the multiple ESs could have arisen through a relatively recent amplification of a single ES.     

Trisomy 7 in nonneoplastic focal steatosis of the liver.

Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultures of a nonneoplastic focal steatosis of the liver showed trisomy 7 as the sole chromosomal change. This finding, especially when viewed in light of previous reports describing +7 in nonneoplastic tissues, strongly suggests that trisomy 7 cannot be considered a tumor-specific abnormality when it occurs as the only change. The cell type in which +7 is present is not yet known.     

Release of endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine from the neural and the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland evoked by electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk

A calcium-dependent release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the neural and intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland has been demonstrated following electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk with stimulation parameters thought to evoke propagated action potentials. The 5-hydroxytryptamine release from the intermediate lobe was double that from the neural lobe. The mass of the intermediate lobe of the rat is about 80% of that of the neural lobe [Holzbauer, Racké, Mann, Cooper, Cohen, Krause and Sharman (1984) J. Neural Transm. 59, 91-104]. The relatively high overflow of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the intermediate lobe agrees with immunohistochemical studies in which a larger number of 5-hydroxytryptamine fibres were seen in the intermediate lobe than in the neural lobe. The present results have demonstrated that the rat hypophysis contains neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine. They also suggest that this amine may act as a neurotransmitter substance in the neural and intermediate lobe.     

Directly bone-anchored implants for fixation of aural epistheses

In cases of missing outer ears, generally, epistheses are attached to eye-glasses which gives insecure attachment and a fairly poor cosmetic result. A new method for stable episthesis attachment is being tested in Gothenburg, Sweden. Threaded, cylindrical titanium implants are inserted with a meticulous technique in the temporal bone of the patient. At the next stage, 3–4 months later, the implants are connected to abutments which are allowed to penetrate the skin, To these abutments a silicone episthesis is attached. Presently, 7 patients who had no outer ear because of congenital disorders, hereditary diseases or status post trauma or tumour surgery have been operated and followed for up to $\text{1}\text{2}$ have been no problems reported with the bone anchorage or the skin penetration.