APS Publications Podcast

In this podcast, Akram Salah describes the recently published article, ‘The Gut–Prostate Axis: Mechanistic Insights and Nanotechnology Driven Therapeutic Strategies’. The review included relevant studies published within the last 10 years plus landmark studies that inform mapping of the molecular and immunological pathways that govern the gut–prostate axis. The article also critically evaluated state-of-the-art nanomedicine strategies to translate these microbial insights into precise, clinically viable therapeutic interventions for advanced prostate cancer. The Gut–Prostate Axis: Mechanistic Insights and Nanotechnology Driven Therapeutic Strategies Reda M. Mansour, Akram N. Salah, Sherif S. Abdel Mageed, Gharieb S. El-Sayyad, Nehal I. Rizk, Mohamed S. Gaballah, Gehad Zakaria, Moustafa Mahmoud Abdelaziz, Haidy Adel Fahmy, Abanoub A. S. Shaker, Osama A. Mohammed, Marwa Yousry A. Mohamed, Ahmed S. Doghis Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:5, e70274  https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70274

In this podcast, first author Sophie Wetz discusses the recently published article, ‘Cross-Sectional Associations Between Gut Microbiota and Neuroimaging Changes in Post-COVID-19 Condition’. In a cross-sectional study, the authors compared the gut microbiota composition of 42 patients with post-COVID condition and 30 healthy controls to investigate potential gut-brain associations underlying post-COVID neurological symptoms. Cross-Sectional Associations Between Gut Microbiota and Neuroimaging Changes in Post-COVID-19 Condition Sophie Wetz, Ravi Dadsena, Nicole Treichel, Ana S. Costa, Anna Hofmann, Sandro Romanzetti, Thomas Clavel, Kathrin Reetz Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:5, e70261  https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70261

In this podcast, coauthors Aleah Brokemond, Fapianey Alexandre,  and Sewedo Ajisegiri discuss their recently published review, ‘Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Microbial Metabolites Driving Gut-Eye Axis Signaling’. The review stems from a desire to better understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate retinal health and disease, with a focus on whether and how short chain fatty acids could serve as messengers between the gastrointestinal tract and the eye. The review was designed to integrate current evidence into a translational framework informing therapeutic strategies and future clinical applications.   Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Microbial Metabolites Driving Gut-Eye Axis Signaling Aleah J. Brokemond, Ronny Amamoo, Fapianey J. Alexandre, Sewedo B. Ajisegiri, Menaka C. Thounaojam, Pamela M. Martin, Ravirajsinh N. Jadeja Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:5, e70251  https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70251

In this podcast, Akram Nader SalahEldeen Mustafa discusses the recently published review, ‘Guardians at the Interface: Microbiota, Intestinal Barriers, and the Gut–Liver Axis in Liver Health and Disease’. The article examines the gut-liver axis as a dynamic, bidirectional system in which alterations in the gut microbiota can impair intestinal barrier function, increase microbial translocation, and expose the liver to inflammatory signals that contribute to liver disease. The authors summarize current evidence linking gut dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and microbial products to liver injury, while highlighting that many of the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.  Guardians at the Interface: Microbiota, Intestinal Barriers, and the Gut–Liver Axis in Liver Health and Disease Reda M. Mansour, Sherif S. Abdel Mageed, Akram N. Salah, Gharieb S. El-Sayyad, Wesam A. Abduljabbar, Walaa A. El-Dakroury, Ahmed E. Elesawy, Nourhan H. Elshami, Nehal I. Rizk, Osama A. Mohammed, Marwa Yousry A. Mohamed, Ahmed S. Doghish Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:5, e70262  https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70262

In this podcast, coauthors Alice E. Knapton and Andrew Murray discuss their recently published article, ‘Amyloid-Forming Amylin Secreted by the Pancreas Promotes Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Activation and Mitochondrial Alterations in Liver and Heart During Type 2 Diabetes Pathogenesis’. The article describes a collaborative study examining how amyloid-forming human amylin, a hormone that is hypersecreted in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, may affect organs beyond the pancreas. Using the HIP rat model, the researchers investigated links between amylin aggregation, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling, and mitochondrial metabolism in the liver and heart, identifying tissue-specific changes associated with sustained hypoxic stress. Together, the findings suggest that dysregulated amylin may be an underrecognized contributor to systemic diabetes-related pathology.   Amyloid-Forming Amylin Secreted by the Pancreas Promotes Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Activation and Mitochondrial Alterations in Liver and Heart During Type 2 Diabetes Pathogenesis Alice E. Knapton, Nirmal Verma, Deepak Kotiya, Alice P. Sowton, Benjamin D. Thackray, Lorenz M. W. Holzner, Paula M. Darwin, Sanda Despa, Florin Despa, Andrew J. Murray Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:5, e70252  https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70252

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Michael Scullin discusses their recently published article, “Sleep and circadian predictors of academic performance and retention in STEM pathways: a longitudinal study in university freshmen” Many believe that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students must sacrifice their sleep to achieve academic success. In striking contrast, the current research demonstrates that better sleep health in freshmen STEM majors predicted better academic success, even after accounting for mental health, fluid intelligence, and prior academic performance. The current work was the first to document that sleep health predicted better persistence in a STEM track across 2 yr. Fitzsimmons CL, Carter JR, Scullin MK. Sleep and circadian predictors of academic performance and retention in STEM pathways: a longitudinal study in university freshmen. Adv Physiol Educ. 2026 Mar 2;50(2):394-401. doi: 10.1152/advan.00313.2025. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00313.2025

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Prof. David Lewis discusses his recently published article, “Reducing, and ultimately replacing, the involvement of animals in education: legislative, ethical, and societal drivers for change” Learners are increasingly objecting to participating in educational activities that involve animals. There is a substantial drive from regulators and funders globally to replace the involvement of animals in research. There is no going back. Educators, educational leaderships, physiological societies, and others need to embrace change, working collaboratively to reimagine nonanimal technologies and new approach methodologies used in research to create educationally robust, humane alternatives to the current educational activities that involve animals. Lewis DI. Reducing, and ultimately replacing, the involvement of animals in education: legislative, ethical, and societal drivers for change. Adv Physiol Educ. 2026 Feb 19;50(2):374-378. doi: 10.1152/advan.00220.2025. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00220.2025

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Akshata Naik and coauthors discuss their recently published article, “Leveraging H5P plug-in technology to increase interactivity within an asynchronously delivered physiology lecture in the first year of medical school” As educators, are you looking to boost engagement in your asynchronous lectures? This paper provides a practical guide for implementing interactive activities using the H5P plug-in, a virtual teaching technology to increase student engagement and learner feedback. The authors detail their strategies to create a targeted “drag-and-drop” exercise and a “branching scenario” to complement their asynchronous lecture recording. Additionally, they also provide their rationale behind choosing these two activities as part of their lecture.   Bortis B, Bailey-Crow C, Naik AR. Leveraging H5P plug-in technology to increase interactivity within an asynchronously delivered physiology lecture in the first year of medical school. Adv Physiol Educ. 2026 Jan 16;50(1):284-291. doi: 10.1152/advan.00007.2025. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00007.2025

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Dr. Jeffrey Grim and coauthors discuss their recently published article, “Faculty can use collaborative group exams to facilitate peer interactions that enhance learning opportunities and increase student well-being in their classrooms” This study explores collaborative group exams (CGEs) in undergraduate biology courses as a means of linking collaborative learning pedagogies and individual assessments. We show that CGEs provide opportunities for student learning and may boost classroom culture by fostering peer interaction while not inflating course grades. Therefore, we suggest that CGEs are a simple and scalable pedagogical strategy that all faculty should consider adopting. Grim JM, Yang S, Roux-Osovitz M, Arzoumanian J, Cooper SK. Faculty can use collaborative group exams to facilitate peer interactions that enhance learning opportunities and increase student well-being in their classrooms. Adv Physiol Educ. 2026 Mar 9;50(2):467-483. doi: 10.1152/advan.00208.2025. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00208.2025

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Dr. Champagne and coauthors discuss their recently published article, “Mutual gains: nonpresenting undergraduate attendance at regional scientific meetings benefits students and scientific societies.” Can undergraduate students benefit from attending scientific meetings even when they're not presenting research? This study found that participation in a regional physiology meeting increased students' confidence, sense of belonging in science, interest in research careers, and enthusiasm for future scientific engagement. The benefits extended beyond the students, with attendees reporting that undergraduate participation enhanced the overall meeting environment. Champagne AM, Dunning SE, Mahmoud MH, Fisher ET, Shah SN, Walsh HE. Mutual gains: nonpresenting undergraduate attendance at regional scientific meetings benefits students and scientific societies. Adv Physiol Educ. 2026 Feb 9;50(2):352-360. doi: 10.1152/advan.00213.2025. https://doi.org/10.1152/advan.00213.2025