ETK ELISA Kit

PURPOSE. Ectopic expression of Bcl-2 in photoreceptors of certain mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) temporarily slows disease progression. The temporary effect produced by Bcl-2 may result from insufficient levels of functional complexes between Bcl-2 and additional proteins necessary for maintaining the anti-apoptotic activity of Bcl-2. Although the overexpression of Bax generally induces apoptosis, Bmx exerts anti-apoptotic properties when complexed with Bcl-2 in certain cell culture systems. These studies were designed to determine whether coexpression of Bcl-2 and Bax would improve the neuroprotective effect provided by Bcl-2 alone in photoreceptors of mice with autosomal dominant RP (adRP). METHODS. Transgenic mice were produced that overexpressed Bax and Bcl-2 specifically in photoreceptor cells, using the murine opsin promoter to drive transgene expression. These mice were crossed with an adRP mouse model to assess the effect of coexpression of Bax and Bcl-2 on retinal degeneration. Morphologic analysis was performed on retinas isolated at various developmental times to monitor disease progression. RESULTS. Ectopic expression of Bax in photoreceptors resulted in extensive rod cell death dependent on the level of Bmx transgene expression. Although Bcl-2 was able to inhibit Bax-induced photoreceptor cell death, the coexpression of Bcl-2 and Bax in photoreceptors of mice with adRP did not enhance the protective effect against photoreceptor cell death exerted by Bcl-2 alone. CONCLUSIONS. Coexpression of Bax and Bcl-2, at the levels produced in the transgenic lines, does not extend the temporary neuroprotective effect produced by Bcl-2 in photoreceptors of mice with adRP.

The objective of the study was to explore coaches' philosophies regarding strength training (repetitive muscle actions against high loads) and the transfer of strength training to sports performance. Thirteen world class coaches and athletes from track cycling, Bicycle Moto-Cross (BMX), sprint kayaking, rowing and athletics sprinting were interviewed using an open-ended, semi-structured approach. Participants were asked about their coaching philosophies, design of athlete training programmes, strength training and its transfer to sports performance. A thematic analysis was conducted. Data trustworthiness was enhanced by methods of member checking and analyst triangulation. Coaches believed that task-specific strength is essential for sports performance. They reported that non-specific strength training (traditional' gym-based strength exercises that are not specific to a sport movement) is important for increasing athletes' muscle size and strength. This is typically used in conjunction with resisted sport movement training (for example, increased resistance running, pedalling or rowing), believed to achieve an effective transfer of enhanced muscle strength to sports performance. Coaches described the transfer process as complex, with factors associated with fatigue and coordination having particular significance. The importance that coaches place on coordination is supported by a theoretical model that demonstrates increases in muscle strength from strength training may need to be accompanied with a change in inter-muscular coordination to improve sport performance. The idea that each athlete needs to adapt intermuscular coordination in response to a change in his/her unique set of organism constraints' (e.g. muscle strength) is well described by the theory of ecological dynamics and Newell's model of constraints.