Physiology is a wide spanning discipline, and it is interesting to follow its journey into the unknown in different organs, and with ever more sophisticated methods. This research is reflected by high quality publications in physiological journals. Have a look!
The results of this research as well as of comparative physiology and mathematical modelling, provide ever growing insight into the body’s functions, mechanisms of disease and new therapies, including gene therapy and development of vaccines. The close interaction between basic physiological research and clinical work, has improved human health and life span and holds even more promises for the future.
A most interesting aspect of current physiology is that, unlike in past centuries, novel models and techniques have reduced or replaced the need to destroy or dissect organs and tissues to improve understanding of function. Now we can learn from growing cells and stimulating them to form tissues and even “organs”. It has become almost routine for physiologists to manipulate gene expression to study function in the intact animal. We are obtaining novel and unique insights into the principles of self-organisation of cells and their mutual interactions. Exciting times, indeed!
Physiology is a wide spanning discipline, and it is interesting to follow its journey into the unknown in different organs, and with ever more sophisticated methods. This research is reflected by high quality publications in physiological journals. Have a look!
Zachary J. McKenna et al.
Biomarkers of organ stress and injury following the Boston Marathon
From the abstract: We show that the Boston Marathon produces a significant level of stress on the gastrointestinal and renal organ systems, but these effects do not appear to be modulated by biological sex or age. Furthermore, the substantial rise in the markers of kidney and intestinal barrier injury persisted despite runners mitigating severe hypohydration. These findings may be useful for identifying interventions aimed at minimizing acute health complications associated with marathon running.
Wai Kit Alvin Tan et al.
From the abstract: The renin-angiotensin system critically regulates tissue perfusion, insulin action, and metabolism. Angiotensin II, via its type 1 receptor (AT1R), promotes vasoconstriction and insulin resistance. In this study, we systemically infused angiotensin II in healthy humans during AT1R blockade to selectively activate the type 2 receptor (AT2R). Angiotensin II significantly increased skeletal and cardiac muscle microvascular perfusion and total blood flow without affecting insulin’s vascular or metabolic actions, offering mechanistic insights into AT1R blockers’ cardiometabolic benefits.
Ren Y. Sato et al.
From the abstract: This study reveals sex-specific differences in nonphotic circadian entrainment induced by scheduled wheel-running activity in mice. Female mice exhibited distinct phase response curves and lacked behavioral aftereffects, contrasting with previously reported male patterns. These findings highlight the importance of biological sex in circadian regulation and suggest that nonphotic entrainment mechanisms may differ fundamentally between sexes.
Much more can be found in this month’s selection of articles from APS journals!
These new and engaging video feature from The Journal of Physiology aims to deliver short and informative research snapshots directly from the authors of research papers selected by the Editors of the journal!
The latest topic relates to an article published by Shigetoshi Oiki
From the abstract : Single-molecule measurements of protein dynamics reveal discrete transitions between conformational states, providing critical kinetic information. However, recording signals often elicit flickering because rapid conformational transitions exceed the temporal recording resolution, making time-domain kinetic analysis challenging. We developed an amplitude-domain method to decipher the underlying rate of channel flickering. Experimental single-channel currents, when passed through a first-order filter, often yield two beta distributions (double-beta distributions) in the amplitude histogram. We revealed that these two components were projected from current traces comprising two aggregated Markov processes emerging alternatively (double-flicker gating). The underlying gating model of double flickering is related to the model topology, which exhibits mode switching. To estimate the underlying double-flickering rates, multiple amplitude histograms drawn from the filtered current data at different cut-off frequencies were simultaneously fitted with double-beta distributions. The simulated data for various models and rates verified the capability of the method for robust rate estimation.
PSJ celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. On this occasion the Journal of Physiology compiled a collection of some of the most influential research published by Japanese authors in this journal. Have a closer look here!
DPG’s latest paper of the month (Guanxiao Qi et al) was recently published in Brain
The endosomal 2Cl-/H+ exchangers ClC-3 and ClC-4 are highly expressed within the central nervous system. Pathogenic variants recently found in the genes encoding ClC-3 and ClC-4 have given rise to a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric complications. The underlying mechanisms as well as the molecular pathways remain unknown.
The authors have combined patch-clamp recordings in acute hippocampal slice preparations with simultaneous intracellular biocytin filling to analyse the functional and structural properties of Clcn3-/- and Clcn4-/-neurons. The authors conclude that Cl-/H+ exchangers regulate neurons’ electrical excitability and firing patterns primarily by fine-tuning Kv7/KCNQ channel density, and that functional defects might contribute to alterations in dendritic morphology.