APS Publications Podcast

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

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

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

Physiological Genomics 2023 55:9, 357-367

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

In our latest episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we feature Dr. Lara K. Goudsouzian (DeSales University) and Dr. Stanley M. Lo (University of California at San Diego) discussing their Illuminations article published in Advances in Physiology Education. The authors noted that students often struggle with the concept of genomic imprinting, in part because it violates Mendelian rules of inheritance. Goudsouzian and Lo hypothesized that the use of a case study would help students better learn the topic of genomic imprinting, an abstract phenomenon in molecular biology and genetics. The authors wrote an interrupted case study that focused on genomic imprinting. The case study consisted of three short popular news articles that relate to genomic imprinting followed by a set of questions. Students learned about genomic imprinting and enjoyed doing it when completing this case study. Tune in to find out more.

Lara K. Goudsouzian, Stanley M. Lo A case study on genomic imprinting facilitates student learning Advances in Physiology Education, published February 7, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00197.2022

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we highlight the study by Dr. Angela L. Mahaffey (Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago) published in Advances in Physiology Education. This article outlines prelicensure nursing and exercise sciences student perspective examinations of the 2011 Michael-McFarland (M-M 2011) core principles in physiology through an anonymous online survey. Dr. Mahaffey models an updated approach based on qualitative survey responses from first-year nursing students. As a result, Dr. Mahaffey presents a “Top Ten” List of Core Principles of Human Physiology for Undergraduate Health Professions students. Listen to learn more.

Angela L. Mahaffey Examining the impact of the core principles of physiology with prelicensure BSN and BSES students: a qualitative analysis Advances in Physiology Education, published March 22, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00076.2022

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we feature Dr. Scott Medler (St. Bonaventure University), discussing his article about Dr. Graham Hoyle published recently in Advances in Physiology Education. Hoyle was an important neuroscientist, muscle biologist, and zoologist throughout much of the second half of the twentieth century. He was trained by Bernard Katz at University College London and later worked with C.A.G. Wiersma at Caltech. As a professor at the University of Oregon, Hoyle helped found the Institute of Neuroscience and trained many prominent scientists in the fields of neuromuscular biology and neuroethology. Listen now to learn about this preeminent scientist in early studies of neuromuscular biology.

Scott Medler Graham Hoyle (1923–1985): exploring the depths of muscle diversity Advances in Physiology Education, published October 23, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00098.2023

In this podcast Dr. Giulia Protti and Prof. Matteo Pellegrini of the University of California discuss the recently published manuscript titled “The methylome of buccal epithelial cells is influenced by age, sex, and physiological properties”. The authors have developed a quantitative model to assess how the human methylome is associated with several factors and to identify the genomic loci significantly impacted by each trait. In this research they have reported novel health-related factors driving DNA methylation patterns and new site-specific regulations that further elucidate methylome dynamics. The study contributes to a better understanding of the plasticity of the human methylome and unveils novel physiological traits with a potential role in future medical epigenomic investigations.

Article Citation:

The methylome of buccal epithelial cells is influenced by age, sex, and physiological properties

Giulia Protti, Liudmilla Rubbi, Tarik Gören, Ramazan Sabirli, Serkan Civlan, Özgür Kurt, İbrahim Türkçüer, Aylin Köseler, and Matteo Pellegrini

Physiological Genomics 

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, we feature Dr. Himel Mondal (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, India), discussing his recently published article by Mondal et al. in Advances in Physiology Education.

The study presents the participation of medical students in Twitter poll-based formative assessment in a rural medical college in India. Despite low participation rates, students found social media-based formative assessment highly effective in increasing their attention during class. The work by Mondal and co-authors also reveals student preferences for alternative platforms like Telegram and Instagram. These insights contribute significantly to understanding the impact and relevance of social media-based formative assessment in diverse educational contexts. Listen now to learn more.

Himel Mondal, Shaikat Mondal, and Nirupama Ray Student perceptions of Twitter poll-based formative assessment in a rural medical college in India Advances in Physiology Education, published September 28, 2023. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00110.2023