APS Publications Podcast

How Oral Contraceptive Pill Phase Alters Microvascular Response to Local Heating

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

Preparation strategies for physiology competition: lessons learned from participants of Indonesian Medical Physiology Olympiad

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

Evolving resource use for self-directed learning in physiology among first-year medical students in a classroom setting

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

Differentially Expressed Adipose Genes with Obesity

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. Fancher
Physiological Genomics 2024 Dec 1;56(12):819-832. https://doi.org/10.1152/physiolgenomics.00080.2024

Students Utilize Various Locations for Assignment Deadlines

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

Digital Twinning of Interorgan Communications

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

Exploring Estradiol, Pulse Wave Velocity, and PTSD in Trauma-Exposed Women

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

Enhancing Inclusion in High-Enrollment Science Courses: The Impact of Sharing Demographic Data

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