APS Publications Podcast

Remote Compared to Face to Face Pathophysiology Teaching

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we shine a spotlight on Dr. Roberto Zatz (University of São Paulo) summarizing the recent study by Haydar et al. The authors were able to make a rare direct comparison of face-to-face and remote strategies for the teaching of undergraduate medical students in renal pathophysiology. Unexpectedly, students who attended the remote course had significantly higher grades than those who had mostly in-person classes. To find out more, listen now.

 

Ahmed Haydar, Itamar Souza Santos, Luis Carlos Arcon, Mílton de Arruda Martins, Patricia Zen Tempski, and Roberto Zatz Remote vs. face-to-face activities in the teaching of renal pathophysiology in the context of social isolation during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic Advances in Physiology Education, published September 25, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00257.2022

Reasoning Level and Item Context Affect Student Language

In this new episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we spotlight Dr. Megan Shiroda (CREATE for STEM, Michigan State University) about Education Research by Shiroda et al. published in the Call for Papers on Physiology Core Concepts. This article builds on previous research to quantitatively examine student language in written explanations of mass balance across six contexts using constructed response assessments. These results present an evaluation of student mass balance language and provide researchers and practitioners with tools to assist students in constructing scientific mass balance reasoning explanations. Listen to find out more.

 

Megan Shiroda, Jennifer H. Doherty, Emily E. Scott, and Kevin C. Haudek Covariational reasoning and item context affect language in undergraduate mass balance written explanations Advances in Physiology Education, published September 25, 2023. DOI: doi.org/10.1152/advan.00156.2022

Physical Activity for Freshmen on Academic Probation

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we feature Dr. Brian Leary, Dr. Miriam Leary, and Dr. Daniel Bonner (all at West Virginia University) discussing their Illuminations article published recently in Advances in Physiology Education. By fostering social integration, improving mood and mental well-being, and increasing university retention rates, this pilot project confirmed the feasibility of using upperclassmen as success coaches for a physical activity intervention for academic probation freshmen. To learn more, listen now.

 

Miriam Leary, Lindsay DiDio, Daniel Bonner, Randy Bryner, and Brian K. Leary Peer-supported physical activity intervention for academic probation freshmen in a physiology-related major: a feasibility study Advances in Physiology Education, published August 10, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00021.2023

GI Vagus and Hypertension

In this episode, authors Elliott W. Dirr (University of Toledo), Christopher J. Martyniuk (University of Florida), Kevin J. Otto (University of Florida), and Jasenka Zubcevic (University of Toledo) discuss their recently published paper titled “Subdiaphragmatic vagal nerve stimulation attenuates the development of hypertension and alters nucleus of the solitary tract transcriptional networks in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.”

 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Elliott W. Dirr et al. show that stimulation of the ventral subdiaphragmatic vagal nerve branch may be a promising potential approach to treating hypertension. The data are especially encouraging given that rodents received only 30 min per day of intermittent stimulation therapy and in view of the potential of long-term blood pressure effects that are not stimulus-locked.

 

Article Citation:

Subdiaphragmatic vagal nerve stimulation attenuates the development of hypertension and alters nucleus of the solitary tract transcriptional networks in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Elliott W. Dirr, Ladan G. Jiracek, David M. Baekey, Christopher J. Martyniuk, Kevin J. Otto, and Jasenka Zubcevic

Physiological Genomics 2023 55:12, 606-617

Critical Thinking in Anatomy and Physiology

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we feature Dr. Erik P. Silldorff, and Dr. Gerald D. Robinson (both at Towson University) discussing their recently published Personal View of critical thinking skills as essential to the effective performance of many careers, particularly those involving healthcare. To aid the development of these skills in physiology, the formation of logical cognitive frameworks needs to be supported via instruction that emphasizes the context of physiological functions (the “why”), as well as the causality of their sequential actions. Within such frameworks, students become capable of cognitive reasoning required to reach intuitive conclusions after system perturbations. Hear more from the authors by listening now.

 

Erik P. Silldorff, and Gerald D. Robinson Development of critical thinking skills in human anatomy and physiology Advances in Physiology Education, published October 17, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00131.2023

First-Gen Freshmen Perceived Academic Preparation

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we highlight Education Research published by Leary et al. In this study, the authors proposed several potential avenues by which to support first-generation freshmen’s academic success in physiology programs, including early identification of at-risk students, setting realistic expectations, educating students early and often about evidence-based strategies, and developing academic recovery strategies as needed. Listen to hear Dr. Brian Leary and Dr. Miriam Leary (both at West Virginia University) discuss how their study. This qualitative investigation of first-generation college freshmens’ perceptions of academic preparedness informs the development of potential avenues by which to support first-generation freshmen in physiology programs.

 

Miriam Leary, David A. Donley, Skylar Watson, Landyn Hewitt, Randy Bryner, Brian K. Leary Perceptions of academic preparedness of first-gen freshmen in a physiology major inform recommendations for program-level academic development initiatives Advances in Physiology Education, published March 1, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00152.2022

Placental ion channel expression at high altitude

In this podcast authors Ramón A. Lorca and Colleen G. Julian of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, discuss the recently published manuscript titled "Altered placental ion channel gene expression in preeclamptic high-altitude pregnancies."

 

Article Citation: 

Altered placental ion channel gene expression in preeclamptic high-altitude pregnancies

Colleen G. Julian, Julie A. Houck, Sahand Fallahi, Litzi Lazo-Vega, Christopher J. Matarazzo, Breea Diamond, Valquiria Miranda-Garrido, Bernardo J. Krause, Lorna G. Moore, Jonathan A. Shortt, Lilian Toledo-Jaldin, and Ramón A. Lorca

Physiological Genomics 2023 55:9, 357-367

Student Perceptions of Research Methodology Group Activity

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we feature Dr. Ravindran Revand and Dr. Simran Kaur (both at All India Institute of Medical Sciences) discussing their Education Research published recently in Advances in Physiology Education. The study by Revand et al. incorporates an innovative approach to inculcate the basic skills of “research methodology” through three goal-oriented participant-centric group exercises: 1) framing a research question, 2) critiquing a research article, and 3) writing a research protocol. The activities encompass components of self-directed learning through unsupervised group dynamics. They focus on critical thinking, acceptance, communication skills, and teamwork during supervised group dynamics. Listen now to learn more.

 

Ravindran Revand, Simran Kaur, Kishore Kumar Deepak, and Kanwal Preet Kochhar Planning and implementation of participant-centric group activity on research methodology: perceptions of postgraduate medical students in physiology Advances in Physiology Education, published September 13, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00089.2023