In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, coauthors Matthew A. Hadiono, Alexis B. Kazen, Fatima A. Aboulalazm, and John R. Kirby discuss their recent study, "Reutericyclin mitigates risperidone-induced suppression of anaerobic energy expenditure," published in AJP–Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. The authors explore how the gut microbiome, a thermogenic biomass, plays a critical role in regulating energy expenditure. Their study shows that the composition of the microbial community, influenced by both xenobiotics and bacterial metabolites, can impact metabolic function. They found that treatment with reutericyclin counteracts the suppression of anaerobic energy expenditure caused by risperidone. These findings suggest that reutericyclin may offer a new therapeutic approach for managing obesity. Tune in to learn more about the gut microbiome’s role in energy balance and the potential for microbiota-targeted therapies.   Reutericyclin mitigates risperidone-induced suppression of anaerobic energy expenditure Matthew A. Hadiono, Alexis B. Kazen, Fatima A. Aboulalazm, Colin M. L. Burnett, John J. Reho, Tammy L. Kindel, Justin L. Grobe, and John R. Kirby American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 2025 328:6, R741-R757

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, coauthors John J. Durocher and Ezra Mutai discuss the Editorial Focus titled "Sleep tight with vitamin D’s might" published in AJP–Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. The conversation centers on a recent study by Culver et al., which examines the relationship between vitamin D levels and reduced sleep variability. Tune in to hear how these findings shed light on the potential link between vitamin D status and consistent sleep patterns.   Sleep tight with vitamin D’s might John J. Durocher and Ezra Mutai American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 2025 328:5, R557-R558

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, coauthors Alexander A. Buelow and J. Mikhail Kellawan discuss their recent study, "Inhibition of CYP450 pathways reduces functional sympatholysis in healthy young adults," published in AJP–Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. They explore how functional sympatholysis, which has traditionally been considered independent of nitric oxide and prostaglandins, may actually involve endothelial CYP450 pathways. Their findings show that inhibition of CYP450-2C9 reduces sympatholytic responses during dynamic handgrip exercise combined with lower body negative pressure. This suggests that CYP450 plays an important role in regulating blood flow during exercise in healthy individuals. Tune in for insights into vascular physiology, research methodology, and the broader implications of these findings for cardiovascular research.   Inhibition of CYP450 pathways reduces functional sympatholysis in healthy young adults Alexander A. Buelow, Jacob E. Matney, Sarah M. Skillett, John D. Ashley, Jiwon Song, Chris Mixon, Amir Akbari Fakhrabadi, Matthew Stanford, Debra A. Bemben, Daniel J. Larson, and J. Mikhail Kellawan American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 2025 328:6, R642-R650

In this podcast, coauthors Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman, Lakshminarayan Reddy Teegala, Somayeh Darzi, Charles K Thodeti, and Sailaja Paruchuri talk about their recently published review, "Leukotrienes: bridging the inflammatory gap in asthma and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)." The review highlights how altered leukotriene biosynthesis and signaling contribute to the pathogenesis of both asthma and IBD, and considers the therapeutic implications of targeting leukotriene pathways for patients with concurrent asthma and IBD.   Leukotrienes: Bridging the Inflammatory Gap in Asthma and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman, Lakshminarayan Reddy Teegala, Somayeh Darzi, Charles K Thodeti, Sailaja Paruchuri Comprehensive Phsyiology 2025 15:3, e70022

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, join coauthors Maurizio Costabile and Layla Mahdi as they discuss their study, “Leveraging computer-based simulations and immersive software technologies for enhanced student learning in laboratory medicine.” They share how these digital tools were integrated across a 4-year laboratory medicine degree and how they significantly improved student engagement and understanding. Tune in to hear how this innovative approach can be applied beyond laboratory medicine to benefit a wide range of disciplines. Leveraging computer-based simulations and immersive software technologies for enhanced student learning in laboratory medicine   Maurizio Costabile, Connie Caruso, Chris Della Vedova, Sheree Bailey, and Layla Mahdi Advances in Physiology Education 2025 49:2, 338-351

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, join coauthors Helena Carvalho and Patricia Halpin as they discuss DramaZoom is a teaching tool paired with a pretest to activate memory. It promotes learning for both medical students and undergraduate students with different majors in the study cohort. DramaZoom creates an opportunity for a fun learning experience that promotes knowledge gain in physiology regardless of whether the teaching setting is face to face or completely virtual. Future research will be done to investigate the long-term retention of content.   Introducing and validating DramaZoom as a teaching tool for diverse student populations Helena Carvalho, Patricia A. Halpin, Elke Scholz-Morris, Rosa de Carvalho, and Daniel Contaifer Jr. Advances in Physiology Education 2025 49:2, 386-393 

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthor Katelyn Cooper highlights the meeting reports titled “Meeting report: an interdisciplinary approach to addressing anxiety in undergraduate active learning biology courses.” She explains that anxiety is a common emotional condition marked by feelings of tension, worry, and physical symptoms like restlessness and fatigue.  Among college students, anxiety is the most reported mental health concern and is linked to lower motivation, engagement, and academic performance. Biology students may be particularly affected due to the rigor and competitiveness of their courses, with high anxiety levels contributing to reduced academic success and increased attrition in the field. Meeting report: an interdisciplinary approach to addressing anxiety in undergraduate active learning biology courses   Katelyn M. Cooper, Sara E. Brownell, Elisabeth E. Schussler, Virginia R. Downing, Logan E. Gin, Kelly K. McDonald, Randolph M. Nesse, Carly A. Busch, Benjamin J. England, LaToya Grigler, Samantha A. Maas, Marco Molinaro, Nicole L. Nieset, Amy L. Pate, Jed Rasmussen, Jessica L. Schleider, Amina Y. Simmons, Shawn L. Spurgeon, Cynthia M. Stonnington, and Michael Trobiano Advances in Physiology Education 2025 49:2, 405-415 

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, corresponding author Han-Kyul Kim provides an overview of the study titled "Exercise pressor reflex function is augmented in rats with chronic kidney disease," recently published in AJP–Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. Dr. Kim discusses how the research team uncovered exaggerated blood pressure responses triggered by the exercise pressor reflex (EPR) in a chronic kidney disease (CKD) animal model. The study highlights how both the muscle mechanoreflex, activated through passive stretch and the muscle metaboreflex, stimulated by intra-arterial capsaicin, contribute to this hypertensive effect. Tune in to learn more about how sympathetic overactivation and altered reflex function could play a key role in cardiovascular risk for individuals with CKD.   Exercise pressor reflex function is augmented in rats with chronic kidney disease Han-Kyul Kim, Juan A. Estrada, Ayumi Fukazawa, Amane Hori, Gary A. Iwamoto, Scott A. Smith, Masaki Mizuno, and Wanpen Vongpatanasin American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 2025 328:4, R460-R469

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthors Jynx Pigart, Tasneem Mohammed, and Katelyn Cooper discuss their study, “Premed pressure: examining whether premed students experience more academic stress compared to non-premeds.” Their research investigates the common perception that premedical students experience higher levels of academic stress than their non-premed peers. The findings revealed no statistically significant differences in reported academic stress between the two groups. However, the study did show that students with lower GPAs were significantly more likely to leave the premed track than those with higher GPAs.   Premed pressure: examining whether premed students experience more academic stress compared to non-premeds Jynx Pigart, Tasneem F. Mohammed, Theresa Acuña, Shurelia Baltazar, Connor Bean, Michayla Hart, Katelyn Huizenga, Amaris James, Hayleigh Shaw, Kimberly Zsuffa, Carly A. Busch, and Katelyn M. Cooper Advances in Physiology Education 2025 49:2, 280-290

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we hear from coauthor Casey G. Turner about the study, "Oral contraceptive pill phase alters mechanisms contributing to cutaneous microvascular function in response to local heating." Published in AJP–Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, this study investigates the effect of OCP phase on in vivo microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation and explores underlying mechanisms. Present findings suggest OCP phase does not affect overall microvascular endothelium-dependent dilation but does affect the underlying mechanisms. In women using OCP, there is a robust reliance on EDHF pathways and the COX pathway moderates basal microvascular blood flow and demonstrates a phase-dependent restraint of the NO pathway.   Oral contraceptive pill phase alters mechanisms contributing to cutaneous microvascular function in response to local heating Casey G. Turner, Anna E. Stanhewicz, Karen E. Nielsen, Jeffrey S. Otis, Rafaela G. Feresin, and Brett J. Wong American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 2025 328:3, R374-R385

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education. The authors present their study on the Indonesian Medical Physiology Olympiad (IMPhO). This article outlines key strategies for building a successful team in a physiology competition, including effective use of resources, mentorship, teamwork, and faculty guidance. These approaches not only enhance performance in competitive settings but can also be adapted to strengthen study techniques for medical students. Preparation strategies for physiology competition: lessons learned from participants of Indonesian Medical Physiology Olympiad Mohammad Nizar Maulana, Agde Muzaky Kurniawan, Raden Argarini, Rimbun Rimbun, and Eka Arum Cahyaning Putri Advances in Physiology Education 2025 49:2, 352-355

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, we hear from Dr. Himel Mondal about his recently published paper entitled “Evolving resource use for self-directed learning in physiology among first-year medical students in a classroom setting.” This study reports a shift in educational resource use for self-directed learning (SDL) among medical students after introduction of large language model (LLM) chatbots. Students use multiple sources, with digital tools like search engines and LLM chatbots nearly matching each other as the most preferred resources. Despite the accessibility and efficiency of digital tools, traditional resources like textbooks remain relevant, though less frequently chosen.   Evolving resource use for self-directed learning in physiology among first-year medical students in a classroom setting Himel Mondal Advances in Physiology Education 2025 49:2, 394-397

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Physiological Genomics, join coauthors Ibra Fancher and Malak Alradi as they discuss, “A long-term high-fat diet induces differential gene expression changes in spatially distinct adipose tissue of male mice.” This study explores how a long-term high fat diet affects gene expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in male mice.   A long-term high fat diet induces differential gene expression changes in spatially distinct adipose tissue of male mice.Malak Alradi, Hassan Askari, Mark Shaw, Jaysheel D. Bhavsar, Brewster F. Kingham, Shawn W. Polson, and Ibra S. FancherPhysiological Genomics 2024 Dec 1;56(12):819-832. https://doi.org/10.1152/physiolgenomics.00080.2024

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education coauthor Patricia Halpin highlights the article titled "Students bypass the syllabus to utilize alternate LMS locations for assignment deadlines." Dr. Halpin highlights how the growing use of learning management systems (LMSs) has changed how students access course information—often leading them to overlook the syllabus entirely. This shift can result in confusion and missed deadlines due to reliance on inconsistent LMS postings. Tune in as she explores why it’s more important than ever for faculty to reintroduce the syllabus on day one and clearly communicate where students should go for the most accurate course information.   Students bypass the syllabus to utilize alternate LMS locations for assignment deadlines Savannah Lopez, Allison Pham, Jeremy L. Hsu, and Patricia A. Halpin Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:3, 588-592

In this episode of The APS Publications podcast featuring Comprehensive Physiology, we hear from Dr. Lance Fortnow (Illinois Institute of Technology) about his recent Review exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can play a role in digital twinning of interorgan communication. The human body is an extremely complex system with constant interorgan communication, and AI has been proven effective at modeling complex systems and understanding communication. A digital twin is a complete simulation of a physical process, providing a unique opportunity to simulate real-world physiology and pathophysiological conditions such as aging and various disease states. What role might digital twinning play in researching the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions? Can digital twinning provide a platform for both early career and senior researchers to take a holistic interorgan approach to treating disease? Listen now to find out.   Lance Fortnow Digital Twinning of Interorgan Communications Comprehensive Physiology, published February 9, 2025. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70002

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, we’re joined by coauthors Chasity Corbin, Chowdhury Ibtida Tahmin, and Ida T. Fonkoue to discuss their research titled "Estradiol levels are differentially associated with pulse wave velocity in trauma-exposed premenopausal women with and without PTSD." The study investigates how serum estradiol (E2) levels influence pulse wave velocity (PWV) in premenopausal women exposed to trauma, with a particular focus on the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers discovered that E2 levels predicted PWV only in women without PTSD, even after accounting for factors like menstrual cycle phase, age, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, and PTSD symptom severity. Additionally, the study found that E2 levels were significantly lower in women with PTSD. Tune in as our guests dive into the details of this important study.   Estradiol levels are differentially associated with pulse wave velocity in trauma-exposed premenopausal women with and without PTSD Chasity Corbin, Chowdhury Ibtida Tahmin, Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin, Zynab Ahmed, Redeat Wattero, Azhaar Mohamed, Susan B. Racette, Daniel Duprez, and Ida T. Fonkoue American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 2025 328:3, R235-R241

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education coauthors  Baylee A. Edwards and Sara E. Brownell discuss their educational research titled "Students respond positively to an instructor collecting and sharing aggregated class demographic data from a survey in a high-enrollment physiology course." This study delves into undergraduate students' perceptions of a high-enrollment physiology course instructor gathering and sharing aggregated demographic data to foster inclusivity. Most students responded positively to this approach, with particular benefits noted by women, nonbinary students, and liberal-leaning students. Edwards and Brownell's findings suggest that collecting and sharing student demographic data in an aggregate form could be an effective strategy to strengthen student-instructor relationships and promote inclusion in large science courses. Tune in to hear more about this impactful research and its potential to transform high-enrollment classrooms.   Students respond positively to an instructor collecting and sharing aggregated class demographic data from a survey in a high-enrollment physiology course Baylee A. Edwards, Jude Kolodisner, Jacob P. Youngblood, Katelyn M. Cooper, and Sara E. Brownell Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:4, 836-856  

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring AJP-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, coauthors Xiaoyu Su and Nanduri R. Prabhakar dive into their recently published research titled "Adrenal Epinephrine Facilitates Erythropoietin Gene Activation by Hypoxia Through β2 Adrenergic Receptor Interaction with Hif-2α." The study explores the role of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation in erythropoietin (EPO) gene expression during hypobaric hypoxia, shedding light on how adrenal epinephrine, via β2 adrenergic receptors, interacts with the transcription factor HIF-2α to enhance EPO gene activation. Tune in as they highlight the breakthrough findings that deepen our understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced gene regulation.   Adrenal epinephrine facilitates erythropoietin gene activation by hypoxia through β2 adrenergic receptor interaction with Hif-2α Xiaoyu Su, Matthew Hildreth, Srikar Rapaka, Ying-Jie Peng, Jayasri Nanduri, and Nanduri R. Prabhakar American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 2025 328:1, R75-R80

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education coauthors Nicholas Fimognari, Leaf R. Kardol, and Caitlin S. Wyrwoll discuss their published paper, “Inclusion of Genital, Sexual, and Gender Diversity in Human Reproductive Teaching: Impact on Student Experience and Recommendations for Tertiary Educators.” The coauthors outline key teaching innovations aimed at improving inclusivity in reproductive biology and physiology education. By enhancing representation of genital, sexual, and gender diversity in the curriculum, these advancements play a crucial role in shaping the perspectives of future medical professionals and researchers. Tune in as the coauthors explore how inclusive teaching practices can positively impact student experiences and ultimately contribute to more equitable healthcare and research.    Inclusion of genital, sexual, and gender diversity in human reproductive teaching: impact on student experience and recommendations for tertiary educators Nicholas Fimognari, Leaf R. Kardol, Terese O’Shannassy, Katherine A. Sanders, Jeremy T. Smith, and Caitlin S. Wyrwoll Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:4, 698-703

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone released from enteroendocrine cells in the distal small and large intestines in response to nutrients and other stimuli, not only controls eating and insulin release, but is also involved in drinking control as well as renal and cardiovascular functions. This review from Comprehensive Physiology details GLP-1's roles in these interconnected systems, highlighting recent findings and unresolved issues, and integrating them to discuss the physiological and pathological relevance of endogenous GLP-1 in coordinating these functions.  Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Links Ingestion, Homeostasis, and the Heart. Jean-Philippe Krieger, Derek Daniels, Shin Lee, Svetlana Mastitskaya, Wolfgang Langhans. Comprehensive Physiology 15: e7. https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.7