APS Publications Podcast

In this podcast, author Maïté Verstraeten discusses the recently published review, ‘Preclinical Insights Into the Pathophysiology of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome’. The article examines the current preclinical understanding of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), a serious pulmonary complication of liver disease characterized by abnormal pulmonary vascular remodeling, impaired gas exchange, and hypoxemia for which liver transplantation remains the only effective treatment. Drawing largely from findings in the common bile duct ligation rodent model, it highlights how complex liver–lung–gut interactions drive vasodilatation, angiogenesis, and alveolar dysfunction through inflammatory and angiogenic signaling pathways, while underscoring the significant gaps in knowledge that continue to limit therapeutic development.

Preclinical Insights Into the Pathophysiology of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

Maïté Verstraeten, Wouter Busselot, Sander Lefere, Hans Van Vlierberghe, Sarah Raevens

Comprehensive Physiology 2025 16:4, e70223

https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70223

In this episode, Prof. Wehrwein and coauthors discuss their recently published article, “Health in Translation: A Workshop Model for Health Literacy and Lay Science Communication.” They describe a 60-minute interactive workshop that helps undergraduate students translate scientific information into clear, accessible language for the public. The discussion highlights the importance of health literacy, effective science communication, and practical strategies for preparing future health professionals to engage diverse audiences.

Musso SA, Elmer SJ, Wehrwein EA. Health in translation: a workshop model for health literacy and lay science communication. Adv Physiol Educ. 2026 Feb 16;50(2):365-369. doi: 10.1152/advan.00324.2025.

In this podcast, author Lisha Zhang discusses the recently published article, ‘Gut Barnesiella intestinihominis Exacerbates Post-Myocardial Infarction Injury via Succinate-Driven MAPK3 Succinylation/Phosphorylation Cascade in γδ T Cells and Downstream IL-17A–NLRP3 Axis’. The article describes how authors used in silico, in vivo, and in vitro experiments to link bacteria Barnesiella intestinihominis to myocardial injury and inflammatory responses following myocardial infarction.  

Gut Barnesiella intestinihominis Exacerbates Post-Myocardial Infarction Injury via Succinate-Driven MAPK3 Succinylation/Phosphorylation Cascade in γδ T Cells and Downstream IL-17A–NLRP3 Axis

Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:4, e70221

https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70221

Description: In this podcast, coauthors Vinicio de Jesus Perez and Stuti Agarwal discuss their recently published review, ‘Lung Pericytes: Molecular Mechanisms, Signaling Pathways, and Roles in Pulmonary Diseases’. The article highlights the molecular mechanisms governing lung pericyte function, and the varied roles of pericytes in pulmonary diseases, including acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung cancer, and lung infections. 

Lung Pericytes: Molecular Mechanisms, Signaling Pathways, and Roles in Pulmonary Diseases

Comprehensive Physiology 2026, 16:4, e70205

https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70205

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Prof. Wehrwein discusses their recently published article, “Who Will Teach Physiology? The Growing Shortage of Physiology Generalists.” As systems-level physiology training declines and specialization increases, institutions face a growing shortage of qualified physiology educators. Listen as Prof. Wehrwein examines the causes of this workforce gap and calls for renewed efforts to strengthen integrative physiology education and support the next generation of health professions training.

Who will teach physiology? The growing shortage of physiology generalists

Erica A. Wehrwein

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 361-362 10.1152/advan.00321.2025

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthors discuss their recently published article, "Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies Employed by Undergraduate Students Over a Semester: Motivations and Implications for Academic Success."

How do first-year university students cope with the pressures of academic life? Drawing on research with undergraduate students, this conversation explores the sources of stress students face, how their coping strategies evolve throughout a semester, and the motivations behind their choices. The authors discuss why a diverse range of coping approaches—from time management and study skills to exercise, meditation, and work–life balance—can support both academic success and student well-being. Tune in for practical insights into helping students thrive inside and outside the classroom.

Sources of stress and coping strategies employed by undergraduate students over a semester: motivations and implications for academic success

E.S. Louise Faber, Jemma Campbell, and Laura Carniel

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 341-351 10.1152/advan.00292.2025

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Prof. Laura Machín-Galarza discusses her recently published article, “Making Immunology Memorable: Resilience-Inspired Pitch Stories to Launch Lectures.” Learn how creative, resilience-based storytelling can make complex immunology concepts more engaging, memorable, and effective for students.

Making immunology memorable: resilience-inspired pitch stories to launch lectures

Laura Machin-Galarza

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 338-340 10.1152/advan.00274.2025

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, Dr. Emmanuel Dugrenot discusses his group’s Research Article, “Changes in liver and lung antioxidant and mitochondrial biogenesis gene expression in decompression sickness resistant rats.” This study analyzed genes related to antioxidant defense and mitochondrial biogenesis in the lungs and liver of rats bred for resistance to decompression sickness (DCS). In resistant rats, no change was observed in lung gene expression, whereas both gene groups were downregulated in the liver (P < 0.0083, Bonferroni correction), except Pgc1α. These findings, along with previous ones, suggest that hepatic mitochondrial function and reduced reactive oxygen species production may contribute to DCS resistance.

Dugrenot E, Orsat J, Gouin E, Guerrero F, Guernec A. Changes in liver and lung antioxidant and mitochondrial biogenesis gene expression in decompression sickness resistant rats. Physiol Genomics. 2026 Jun 1;58(6):243-251. doi: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00218.2025. Epub 2026 Apr 23. PMID: 42024651.

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthors Derek Bass, Ayush Gupta, and Daniela Terson de Paleville explore their innovative study using guided virtual reality to bring complex anatomy to life. From engaging, immersive learning to real-world IT hurdles, they share what works—and what's next.

Implementing a guided VR for neuroanatomy in neurology residency: acceptability and practical considerations

Derek Bass, Ayush Gupta, Laura Weingartner, and Daniela Terson de Paleville

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:1, 314-322 10.1152/advan.00019.2025

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthors Michael Leung and Dasuni Alwis discuss their recently published article, “Enhancing Engagement and Confidence in Male Reproductive Physiology Through an Escape Room Activity.” They explore an innovative response to declining classroom engagement in higher education, highlighting a flipped learning escape room workshop developed at Monash University. Centered on diagnosing the infertility of a fictional medieval king, the activity demonstrates how immersive, gamified approaches can drive high engagement and significantly improve student confidence across all levels of preparedness.

Enhancing engagement and confidence in male reproductive physiology through an escape room activity

Michael C. M. Leung, Claire Huang, Joanne Caldwell Odgers, Dasuni Alwis, and Craig A. Harrison

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 384-391 10.1152/advan.00166.2025