Category Archives: Physiology

If youve ever heard someone say, I just have a slow metabolism, chances are they dont actually know that for sure. And really, it may not be slow per se, but ratherto cop Lumens terminology inflexible.

Created by twin sisters and Ironman triathletes, Merav and Michal Mor, both of whom have PhDs in Physiology (total underachievers, right?), Lumen emanated from the Mors desire to help people reach their nutrition, performance, and/or weight loss goals by rejiggering their metabolisms. The premise is that if you know at key moments if youre burning mostly carbohydrates or fat (or a combo platter of both), you can determine what your body needs to function optimallyaka personalized nutrition.

Typically to gauge ones metabolic rate, an individual must undergo expensive testing in a lab setting. However, Lumen says they bring you an equivalentor at least scientifically supported (opens in new tab)at-home option whereby you can measure your own metabolism whenever you want, all thanks to the sleek little breathalyzer you receive when you sign up for the program.

To find out more, I tried Lumen for a month to see whether the claims were correct. Read my full Lumen review below to find out more.

Looking to invest in your health? Check out our best smart scales guide, our best fitness trackers, and the best adjustable dumbbells for working out at home.

To understand what any of this means to you, we need to take a second to explain how the Lumen device harnesses the tenets of metabolic science.

Basically, Lumen measures your metabolism/metabolic rate based on the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in your breath. The higher your CO2 concentration, the more you are burning carbs for fuel. This is because when your cells metabolize carbs, they produce more CO2 compared to when they metabolize fat.

If you went in for a professional lab test to have your metabolism measured, you would get back your Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER), which is the amount of CO2 exhaled divided by the amount of oxygen (O2) inhaled. That number ultimately lets you know your metabolic efficiency.

With this in mind, its easier to understand the premise of Lumen, which is that you can now get your RER anytime you want by breathing into your Lumen, no lab test required. A high CO2 reading means youre burning carbs, a low CO2 number indicates youre torching fat.

But is it accurate? Lumen says its validity as a metabolism measuring device has been reaffirmed by a San Francisco State University study (opens in new tab). However, this definitely seems to be a product that continues refinement the longer its on the market (it debuted in 2020).

But how do you use your RER number in day-to-day life? This is where the hacking your metabolism part finally comes into play. The ultimate goal of Lumen users is to achieve metabolic flexibility, a term coined by the company that basically means your metabolism becomes more efficient at burning fat and not just carbs for energy. If youre in the Lumen fat-burning mode more often, they claim it becomes easier to lose weight and stay lean.

Just like your muscles become fitter with regular workouts, apparently so does your metabolism if you pay attention to how your body switches between burning carbs and fats. And if you can get yourself into a state of metabolic flexibility, Lumen says youll end up with a whole bunch of rewards, such as:

Easier weight loss and maintenanceBetter lean mass/muscle building Deeper sleepImproved energyStable blood sugar levelsHigher immunity Enhanced physical performance

Lumen is only available as a subscription service through the Lumen website (opens in new tab). You get the Lumen device for free along with your paid subscription. Pricing is as follows:

6 Month Metabolism Booster = $249

12 Month Advanced Fat Burn = $299

18 Month Optimal Health Track = $349

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty on the device.

The small square starter box comes with the Lumen device, its docking station, a USB cable for charging, a travel pouch, and the Lumen App Getting Started Guide.

The latter part is especially important because, without the corresponding app, youre honestly going to be kind of lost. The written directions included with the Lumen are pretty paltry, and this is one Lumen component that could be strengthened. It gives basic instructions for how to charge and turn it on, but it doesnt give you any of the info I just spelled out for you in the first part of the article.

While my Lumen was charging, I turned my attention to getting the Lumen app set up. It links to your device via Bluetooth, so this is an integral step for using the Lumen.

You have to begin by creating an account and then answering a battery of lifestyle and physiology questions. This requires quite a bit of time and must all be done manually. During the setup process, you are not only asked to input things like height and current weight but also estimated hours of sleep and daily exercise habits.

I found this frustrating because while Im super active, my exercise routine changes daily and I dont always know what my workout will entail ahead of time. You can go back and edit some of this later, but as I was filling it out in the beginning, I did feel a little hampered trying to structure my workout schedule.

It is possible to link Lumen to your Apple Health, Google Fit, or Garmin IQ account if you have one (which might give you even more accurate readings for activity levels and such). But since I didnt have any of those, I was left doing everything by hand.

Once all your basic data has been collected, you have to select your track. There are three options: Metabolic Health, Fitness Performance, and Healthy Weight Loss. I decided to select Healthy Weight Loss to start.

The app also allows women to track their monthly cycles, which could be great information to have when examining metabolic shifts. However, with the current restrictions that have just been levied surrounding female reproductive health and privacy, if youre a woman in the United States, unfortunately, you may wish to leave that feature toggled off.

Once my Lumen was fully charged (as indicated by a green light while its cradled in the docking station), I set about pairing it with my Lumen app. Bluetooth capability is required to get these two to talk to each other, but I had no issues once I powered my Lumen on.

Specifications

Weight: 75 gHeight: 10.2 cmMaterials: Soft-touch with a magnetically attached cap over metal mouthpiece

I continued to be impressed by the quality of the actual device. Though admittedly it looks like an oversized vape, its really solid and well constructed. As a portable and hand-held device, it is light while still encasing a pressure sensor and a CO2 sensor within its ergonomic casing.

If you want to keep your Lumen clean, do NOT wash it. Thatll tank the whole device. But since youre blowing into it sometimes several times per day, youll benefit by occasionally wiping down the metallic mouthpiece with an antibacterial wipe. And though you could technically share your Lumen by setting up separate accounts within a family, you probably dont want to (hello, Covid and other shared cooties).

In the app there is a breathing tutorial Lumen advertisements say it takes only 10 seconds to get a measurement, but you have to inhale for 10 seconds, hold your breath for 10 seconds, and then exhale for 10 seconds. Thats 30 seconds by my count. And usually you have to do that twice to get an accurate reading (waiting 15 seconds between each test).

The app has a helpful little bouncing ball you are coached to get in the center of a circle to make sure youre not breathing too hard, too soft, or too fast. I definitely didnt get it right the first few times I tried.

This is probably why they explicitly encourage you to be seated and relaxed before taking a measurement. Rookie tip, dont let out too much air at once when they let you finally exhale or youll run out of air before time is up.

Fortunately, after some practice I got pretty good at it. Mastering this step is vital, however. Because all your subsequent measurements are based on your breathing skills.

Your Daily Measurements

Once you start breathing into your Lumen at regular intervals, each time you take a reading youll be given an assigned score on a five-point scale. That number tells you whether youre burning mostly fat (1, 2), mostly carbs (4, 5), or carbs and fat (3).

Once you take your morning measurement (which should happen before you eat or drink anything), predicated on your goals, the app will also give you an assignment of a low-carb, medium-carb, or high-carb day. It comes with recommendations for the maximum number of grams you should ingest of carbs, protein, and fatyour macros for that day. It also has recipe suggestions in the app, but Id be kind of surprised if most people are trolling the app for recipe ideas.

Theoretically, if you have good metabolic flexibility, fast overnight and have burned off all your carbs from the previous day successfully, you should be fuelling your energetic needs mostly with fat in the morning. If not, then your diet needs adjusting. Or so goes the nutritional logic of this thing.

Lumen definitely encourages intermittent fasting. Though not a keto program (because they believe you sometimes do need carbs to keep your metabolism guessing and not storing them), it also seems to heavily lean towards a prescription for low-carb eating at least if weight loss is your selected track.

Also, to get your most accurate readings, youre supposed to enter every gram you eat at every meal of each macro (which you have to do manually). If counting grams of carbs isnt something you want to partake in, youre probably not going to see much of a shift in your results over time, especially since Lumen seems to be set up such that you get a better score if youre burning more fat than carbs.

Your Flex Score

Nothing about this process is quick and patience is necessary. Lumen has to become a habit, and they say it takes 30 days to create a new one of those, right?

At the very least, its going to take two weeks of consistent measurements before you get your first Flex Score. By Lumens definition, your Flex Score is a number between 0-21 that tells you how well your body is working with what youre putting in your mouth, and also what your metabolic flexibility is at this juncture. Heres what the different scores mean:

0-6 (Low metabolic flexibility)7-14 (Medium metabolic flexibility)15-21 (High metabolic flexibility)

When I started this about three weeks ago, I automatically assumed my metabolic flexibility would be high. Im lean and very athletic, eat well, and workout daily. Oh, how wrong I was.

Part of the issueor so I thoughtwas that the minute I started doing my daily measurements, I had an unexpected work assignment take me out of town. So instead of my usual healthy diet and routine, I was eating haphazardly (not poorly per se, but inconsistently) and sleeping erratically (thanks stress and a crazy schedule). As a result, I didnt feel my first week of measurements were remotely indicative of my bodys usual tempo.

In a panic, I wrote to see if I could reset my Lumen (you can message a Lumen expert any time you want in the Support Chat part of the app, which is admittedly a nice feature). I just wanted to start the whole thing over. Unfortunately, I was told no. I couldnt reset my Lumen, but I was, however, offered a free one-on-one onboarding session with a Lumen representative if I wanted help (every new subscriber can take advantage of that).

I was told I shouldnt worry because my Lumen would continue to learn more about me once I kept taking measurements. But I was worried. Once I was home, I still continued to get no less than a 3 on a morning reading. Ever. And most of the time on subsequent daily readings (like before and after workouts), I was still only in the carb-burning territory. And this felt incredibly frustrating.

Accountability

If youre someone who is ready to make a change in your dietary habits and youre willing to put in the effort, Lumen does make you more aware of what youre eating and how its affecting your body.

But you really have to be dedicated to all of it, not only breathing into the device several times a day. That means keeping a detailed food log, recording every minute you work out, updating your weight, watching how many hours you sleep, etc. And its a lot of work.

For some people, however, unless they have that kind of accountability, they wont ever stick to a diet. Lumen absolutely makes you pay attention to what youre eating, how much youre eating, and how the timing affects your metabolism.

There are also lots and lots of videos in the app to help you learn more about how to get the most out of your Lumen experience. And youll get emails with webinars you can attend on different nutrition topics.

Additionally, it offers a Facebook community users can join with 20,000 other Lumeners. You can think of it like your own Lumen support group. Individuals who want tips and a group they can chat with while working on their diet may find this additionally motivating.

I am a very disciplined human by nature. I was eating clean, working out hard, fasting overnight, sleeping for eight hours, and still waking up with my first measurement at a 3, 4, or 5. Then Id get a message that said Your body is good at burning carbs. Now lets get it to fat burn mode and Id want to throw the thing.

Eventually, I started to wonder if it was partly because I was never entering anything in my food log. But as someone who spent too many years counting every single calorie she ate, I felt really resistant to having to count and record every single gram of food I ingested. While that may help some people with portion control, its not a healthy way of eating for me personally.

However, that undoubtedly affects your ability to achieve Lumens definition of metabolic flexibility. Not paying attention to their macro suggestions will absolutely influence your score and subsequent daily recommendations. In my first three weeks with the Lumen, not once did it tell me I could have anything other than a low-carb day until I switched my track from Healthy Weight Loss to Metabolic Health and got one medium-carb day prescription.

When I got my first Flex Score after weeks of consistent morning measurements, it was barely registering Medium for metabolic flexibility.

None of that felt like I was winning with the Lumen, in spite of the encouraging messages the app kept sending me. And trust me, Im all for a cheerleader, but if youre not getting the results you think you should be getting, well I might be guilty of having said Yeah, whatever Lumen, more than once between breaths.

This is a fancy little device, but know that its not going to automatically fix your metabolism for you just because youre breathing into it on the regular. The Lumen is one piece of an overall program.

Does it work? If were talking about the actual Lumen itself, yes. Absolutely. This machine is the first portable metabolism measurement device on the market, and it seems to have a reasonable degree of accuracy. But if you want to lose weight and not just to see how your body is burning what you eat, then youve got to commit to the whole program. That includes taking breath tests several times a day, but also manually entering all the data it requires and following your personalized dietary prescription to the gram.

In other words, dont expect your Lumen to give you results just because youre good about breathing into it any more than youd expect your scale to suddenly drop in pounds just because you get on it regularly. Its a measurement tool, not a magic wand. Your success with Lumen is completely reliant on what you do with it and how dedicated you are to all the components.

If youre someone who needs accountability, motivation, feedback, and a lot of group support, then this is definitely a novel new way of learning about your body and how what you eat affects it. But dont expect the process to be uncomplicated. If you decide to make the significant investment, plan for a less quick fix and more Lumen long-haul.

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I used this device to track my metabolism for a month here's what happened - Tom's Guide

Physiology

PhD on Animal Physiology job with NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY – NTNU | 298547 – Times Higher Education

June 25, 2022 medical

About the position

We are looking for highly motivated people who are interested in joining the Yap research group as a PhD-candidatein The Department of Biology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). We offer an international and multidisciplinary environment in which creativity and scientific dialogue across fields is valued and stimulated.

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

The Yap research group (www.knyap.weebly.com) consists of a small dynamic team of enthusiastic biologists. The overarching goal of our lab group is to understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms of life-history trade-offs in animals. The lab group is part of the Animal Physiology Section (https://www.ntnu.edu/biology/research/animal-physiology) in the Department of Biology, home to many experts in comparative animal physiology, fish ecophysiology, marine invertebrate sensory physiology, and insect behaviour and neurophysiology.

You will report to Kang Nian (Jeff) Yap (Associate Professor).

Duties of the position

The successful candidate will conduct both field and laboratory-based studies on small marine invertebrates, using tools from evolutionary ecology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The student will learn how to design and conduct experimental studies, as well as conduct energetics and physiological measurements at the whole animal and cell levels. Depending on the students personal research interests, there are also possibilities of collaborating with other research personnel in other research groups within the department.

We are looking for a PhD student who is passionate about and has research experience in animal ecology and physiology.

We are especially interested in people with high motivation in integrating animal ecology, evolution, and physiology in a multi-disciplinary collaborative team.

Required selection criteria

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations concerning the degrees ofPhilosophiaeDoctor (PhD)andPhilosodophiaeDoctor (PhD) in artistic researchnational guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant

Preferred selection criteria

Personal characteristics

We offer

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 491 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3years with the possibility of a 4thyear if teaching/dutywork is agreed with the department.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to thePhD programme in biology- NTNU within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerningState Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

If all,or parts,of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can befoundhere. If you already have a statement fromNOKUT,pleaseattachthisas well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education,experienceand personal and interpersonalqualities.Motivation,ambitions,and potential will also countin the assessment ofthe candidates.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according toThe San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources topromote equality.(tas bort hvis ikke aktuelt)

The city of Trondheimis a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employeeatNTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance withcurrent legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Kang Nian (Jeff) Yap, email: kang.n.yap@ntnu.no.If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Mari H.Hansen, e-mail: mari.h.hansen@ntnu.no.

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Application deadline: 15.08.22

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Biology

We work with global challenges in natural diversity, climate, the environment, health and nutrition. Our expertise in biological processes at all levels from molecules to ecosystems contributes to a sustainable society. The Department educate graduates for a wide range of careers in public administration, business and academia.The Department of Biologyis one of eight departments in theFaculty of Natural Sciences.

Deadline15th August 2022EmployerNTNU - Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyMunicipalityTrondheimScopeFulltimeDuration TemporaryPlace of service

Link:
PhD on Animal Physiology job with NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU | 298547 - Times Higher Education

Physiology

Dr. Heddwen Brooks Elected to APS Leadership Council – University of Arizona

June 25, 2022 medical

Heddwen Brooks, PhD, professor of physiology in the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson, has been elected as a councilor of the American Physiological Society (APS). Dr. Brooks is a renal physiologist who holds appointments as professor of biomedical engineering, medicine and pharmacology and is a member of the BIO5 Institute.

It is an honor to be elected as an APS councilor, Dr. Brooks said. I look forward to working with the executive council over the next three years to implement new ideas and programs to highlight the outstanding research from APS members across the world.

Dr. Brooks early research developed microarray technology to address in vivo signaling pathways involved in the hormonal regulation of renal function. Her current research is focused on the role of inflammation and sex differences in the onset of postmenopausal hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetic kidney disease, and identifying new therapies for polycystic kidney disease and lithium-induced nephropathy.

She has published numerous research articles and is the coauthor of the textbook Ganongs Review of Medical Physiology, now in its 26th edition. Dr. Brooks is the co-director of the new Bachelor of Science in Medicine undergraduate program in the College of Medicine Tucson and is past chair of the Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Program.

Dr. Brooks has served in many roles at APS, including chair of the Renal Section; Joint Program Committee representative for the Sex Differences Interest Group; and member of the Education Committee, Nominating Committee and Committee on Committees. Dr. Brooks has also worked with APS in professional development, serving as an instructor on their Scientific Writing and Ethics Workshop in Orlando, Florida, and she has taught a course with APS at Ribeiro Preto Medical School, Brazil. She is currently the editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology, the first woman to hold that position.

APS is a nonprofit organization devoted to fostering education, scientific research and dissemination of information in the physiological sciences. Founded in 1887, the society has more than 10,000 members around the world who investigate the way that living organisms function, from the macro-level of how the environment affects humans down to the micro-level of how biomolecules affect tissue or organ function. APS is governed by an elected council consisting of a president, president-elect, past president and nine councilors.

Excerpt from:
Dr. Heddwen Brooks Elected to APS Leadership Council - University of Arizona

Physiology

Ross named chair of Department of Animal Science | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

June 25, 2022 medical

AMES, Iowa Jason Ross has been named the new chair of the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.

Ross, Lloyd L. Anderson Professor in Physiology, has been a faculty member in the department since 2008. In July of last year, he was named associate chair for industry engagement. He also serves as director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center. His department chair responsibilities will take effect Aug. 16, 2022.

It is terrific to have the leadership of Dr. Jason Ross going forward for the colleges Department of Animal Science. Jason will bring tremendous experience and familiarity with the department to the role of chair, said Daniel J. Robison, endowed deans chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He has an extraordinary record of accomplishment, deep experience in all mission areas, fullest devotion to the department, and has done outstanding work with food animal industries and stakeholders across the state. Hell provide great momentum as the department carries forward its tradition of excellence in every dimension.

Ross received his bachelors degree in animal science from Iowa State. He also has a masters degree in animal science and a doctoral degree in reproductive physiology with a minor in biochemistry from Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining the faculty at Iowa State, Ross served as a postdoctoral research scientist at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Through his leadership efforts, Ross has helped the departments research program acquire more than $20 million in funding, $6 million of which was for projects where he served as the principal investigator. His research focuses on using biotechnology to improve reproductive efficiency in animals and developing strategies to control novel physiological mechanisms.

While serving as the departments associate chair, he has worked to promote the departments programming at the local and global levels through stakeholder relationships and external engagement for public and private partnerships. He has also engaged with animal agriculture industry members to gain insights for curricular needs and create internship programs for students.

Its an honor for me to be able to serve the animal science department at Iowa State University. The caliber of students, faculty, staff and stakeholders of this department are among the best, Ross said. I grew up in Iowa and the animal science department is where I began my career both as a student and as a faculty member, making this opportunity to serve Iowa State and the state of Iowa particularly meaningful.

Ross will take over chair duties from John Lawrence, who has been serving as the departments interim chair since January 2022.

I would also like to recognize the outstanding work of Dr. John Lawrence, Iowa States vice president for extension and outreach, while serving as interim chair of the department for these last months. He has truly served so very well, Robison said.

The Department of Animal Science offers programs that integrate science, practice and innovation to serve the immediate needs of animal industries. Students are prepared for careers in animal production, veterinary medicine and the diverse areas of animal business and industry. Many faculty in the department are internationally recognized, with expertise in breeding and genetics, genomics, nutrition, physiology, meat science and meat processing, animal well-being and management.

Excerpt from:
Ross named chair of Department of Animal Science | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Physiology

Increase in leptin levels in preeclampsia prompts cardiovascular cascade that puts mother and baby at risk – Jagwire Augusta

June 25, 2022 medical

Before a baby is ever born, critical supply chain problems with nutrition and oxygen can result in premature birth or even death and increase the child and mothers lifelong risk of cardiovascular disease.

Scientists have found that a midgestation increase in the hormone leptin, which most of us associate with appetite suppression, produces problematic blood vessel dysfunction and restriction of the babys growth in preeclampsia that put mother and baby at risk.

Its known that about 20 weeks into a pregnancy, women with preeclampsia experience an increase in the production of leptin by the placenta but the consequences have been unknown.

Its kind of emerging as a marker of preeclampsia, says Dr. Jessica Faulkner, vascular physiologist in the Department of Physiology at the Medical College of Georgia and corresponding author of the study in the journal Hypertension.

Leptin, mostly produced by fat cells, is also produced by the temporary organ, the placenta, which enables the mom to supply her developing baby with nutrients and oxygen, Faulkner says. Leptin levels steadily increase in a healthy pregnancy, but specifically what leptin is doing even normally in this scenario is unclear. There is some evidence its a natural nutrient sensor in reproduction or maybe a way to enable new blood vessel growth and/or to stimulate growth hormone for usual development.

But in preeclamptic patients, leptin levels go up more than they should, Faulkner says.

The new research looking at the impact shows for the first time that the increase in leptin results in endothelial dysfunction in which blood vessels constrict, their ability to relax is impaired and the babys growth is restricted.

When the scientists inhibited the precursor for the powerful, natural blood vessel dilator nitric oxide, like what happens in hypertension, it pretty much replicates the effect of the midgestation leptin increase.

To make matters worse, the scientists also have evidence that leptin plays a role in increasing levels of the blood vessel constrictor endothelin 1.

Conversely when they deleted the receptor for aldosterone, in this case the mineralocorticoid receptors on the surface of the cells that line blood vessels, endothelial dysfunction didnt happen, says Dr. Eric Belin de Chantemele, physiologist in MCGs Vascular Biology Center and the papers senior author.

We think what is going on in preeclamptic patients is the placenta is not properly formed, Faulkner says. In the middle of gestation, fetal growth is not happening as it should. I think the placenta is compensating by increasing leptin production, potentially with the goal of helping spur more normal growth. But the results appear to be just the opposite.

It can hurt the babys development and increase the risk of long-term health problems for the baby and mother, she says.

While leptin has been associated with preeclampsia, this was the first study to show that when leptin goes up, it induces the unhealthy clinical characteristics of preeclampsia, Belin de Chantemele says.

When they infused leptin in pregnant mice to mimic the surge that happens in preeclampsia, they saw an unhealthy chain reaction with the adrenal gland making more of the steroid hormone aldosterone which could be increasing the production of endothelin 1, also by the placenta.

Their previous work has shown that outside of pregnancy, an infusion of leptin results in endothelial dysfunction. Belin de Chantemeles lab has pioneered work showing that fat-derived leptin directly prompts the adrenal glands to make more aldosterone which activates mineralocorticoid receptors found throughout the body, notably in the blood vessels in females, which is important to blood pressure levels. High aldosterone levels are an obesity hallmark and a leading cause of metabolic and cardiovascular problems.

That work made them hypothesize that the infusion of leptin that occurs midgestation in preeclampsia had a similar impact that deletion of the mineralocorticoid receptors lining blood vessels could resolve. They have connected similar physiological dots in young females in whom obesity often robs the early years of protection from cardiovascular disease that being female typically provides until menopause.

These same players likely are factors in what increases the mothers lifetime risk of cardiovascular problems, Faulkner says.

It means the system is dysregulated and that is basically when you develop disease, she says.

Their goals include better defining the pathways for increased blood pressure and other blood vessel dysfunction, pathways that can be targeted during pregnancy to prevent potentially devastating results for mother and baby, from what Faulkner characterizes as a two-hit condition.

Their findings to date indicate that effective therapies to better protect mother and baby could be existing drugs like eplerenone, a blood pressure medicine that binds to the mineralocorticoid receptor effectively reducing the effect of higher levels of aldosterone, the scientists say.

The problems likely start with the placenta, and potentially inadequate blood flow to the temporary organ early in its development and subsequent failure of the development of the big blood vessels that become the passageway for nutrients and oxygen from mother to baby.

Its known that in preeclampsia there are problems like decreased secretion of placental growth factor. The bottom lines appear to be that by midgestation, the placenta can no longer properly support the baby, which may be why it secretes leptin, possibly in an effort to spur its own growth and normal fetal development, but in reality it contributes to cardiovascular and fetal consequences, the scientists report, including raising the mothers blood pressure.

Preeclampsia rates unfortunately are rising, Faulkner says, both in the number of pregnant women affected and in how severely they are affected. According to an analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in January of this year in the Journal of the American Heart Association, rates of hypertension that arise during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, have nearly doubled in both rural and urban areas in this country from 2007-19 and have been accelerating since 2014. Gestational hypertension is an increase in a pregnant womans blood midgestation but without associated signs of protein in the urine, a sign of kidney distress, or markers of placental dysfunction, as are found in preeclampsia.

Risk factors include carrying more than one fetus, chronic high blood pressure, type 1 or 2 diabetes, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders before pregnancy as well as use of in vitro fertilization. Increasing rates of preeclampsia are primarily attributed to obesity, which is a risk factor for many of these conditions and associated with high levels of both aldosterone and leptin, Faulkner says. Other times, women seem to develop the problem spontaneously.

Next steps in the research include better understanding how and why leptin goes up more than it should, Faulkner says.

The scientists are supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.

Read the full study.

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Increase in leptin levels in preeclampsia prompts cardiovascular cascade that puts mother and baby at risk - Jagwire Augusta

Physiology

For the Record, June 22, 2022 | UDaily – UDaily

June 25, 2022 medical

For the Record provides information about recent professional activities and honors of University of Delaware faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Recent presentations, appointments and honors include the following:

Alumnus Michael A. Silverman,emergency department chairman at Virginia Hospital Center as well asdirector of Emergency Medicine Associates Leadership Academy, served as a virtual guest presenter to a class in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology. Silverman, who has been a practicing physician for nearly 30 years, completed his residencyin emergency medicine at theJohn Hopkins University School of Medicine as chief resident and has authoredone bookand numerous textbook chapters during his career. For his presentation as part of the course titled Emergency Care of Sports Related Injuries and Illnesses, Silverman highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic experience and what healthcare providers need to be aware of going forward. Since 2020, Silverman has developed a large online following by creating posts to help viewers distinguish between truth versus fiction for the future implications of healthcare. "I was very grateful for Silverman topresent to our first year Master of Science Athletic Training students on his insight into the importance of interprofessional collaboration," said Jeff Schneider, senior instructor in kinesiology and applied physiology. "He discussed how important it is to be an advocate for your profession and the importance of being a lifelong learner. These points resonated with our students. It is always great to have an outstanding medical professional speak to our students, but it is even better when it is a UD alumnus."

Kimberley Isett,Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administrationassociate dean of research and director of theMaster of Public Health in health policy and managementprogram, andJessica E. Sowa, Biden School professor,now serve as editors in chief of Perspectives on Public Management and Governance (PPMG). PPMG is the premier theory journal in the public affairs space and a publication of the Public Management Research Association.Isett and Sowa bring a wealth of research and editorial experience to their new roles, and they look forward to helping to shape the future impact of public affairs research through their work at PPMG. Further details are availablehere.

Jane Case Lilly, assistant professor in theJoseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, received the 2022 Teaching Award from the Honors College. This award recognizes Case Lilly's commitment to excellence in the classroom and support of her students. She has been involved with instruction in theleadershipmajor for more than 15 years and also teaches in thepublic policyandMPAprograms. She earned her Ph.D. in urban affairs and public policy from the Biden School in 2008.

To submit information for inclusion in For the Record, write to ocm@udel.edu and include For the Record in the subject line.

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For the Record, June 22, 2022 | UDaily - UDaily

Physiology

Small molecule transports iron in mice, human cells to treat some forms of anemia – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

June 25, 2022 medical

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. A natural small molecule derived from a cypress tree can transport iron in live mice and human cells lacking the protein that normally does the job, easing a buildup of iron in the liver and restoring hemoglobin and red blood cell production, a new study found.

Stemming from a collaboration between researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and the University of Modena in Italy, the study demonstrated that the small molecule hinokitiol potentially could function as a molecular prosthetic when the iron-transporting protein ferroportin is missing or defective, offering a potential treatment path for ferroportin disease and certain kinds of anemia.

This is a really striking demonstration in a whole animal model that an imperfect mimic of a missing protein can reestablish physiology, acting as a prosthesis on a molecular scale, said study co-leader Dr. Martin D. Burke, a professor of chemistry at Illinois and a member of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, as well as a medical doctor. The implications are really quite broad with respect to other diseases caused by loss of protein function.

Ferroportin is a protein that forms a channel for transporting iron in and out of cells. Ferroportin deficiency can be due to a genetic mutation or caused by inflammation or infection. Patients without the protein have an excess buildup of iron in the liver, spleen and bone marrow, particularly in a type of cell called a macrophage. Macrophages in the liver chew up old red blood cells and transport the iron in them for recycling into new red blood cells. However, without ferroportin, the iron builds up inside the cells and cant be recycled, Burke said.

Removing blood from the body, as is usually done for other diseases caused by iron buildup, is not an efficient treatment, since the buildup is localized and iron levels in blood are actually low, said study co-author Dr. Antonello Pietrangelo, a professor of medicine at Modena. Pietrangelo was the first to identify genetic ferroportin disease in patients as distinct from a more well-documented form of iron overload that causes iron to build up in blood serum.

Burkes group at Illinois detailed hinokitiols ability to shuttle iron across cell membranes and correct anemia in zebrafish in 2017, establishing it as a potential candidate for therapeutic application. In the new study, published in the journal PNAS, researchers studied hinokitiols action in live mice lacking the gene for ferroportin, as well as in macrophages from patients with ferroportin disease.

Michigan professor Young-Ah Seo co-led the study.

Photo courtesy of Young-Ah Seo

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Michigan professor Young-Ah Seos research group, which studies genetic disorders of iron and manganese, provided proof-of-concept that hinokitiol could improve anemia in mice.

We saw that the mice treated with hinokitiol reduced iron accumulation in the liver and improved hemoglobin and red blood cell production, said Seo, a professor of nutritional biochemistry and a co-lead author of the study. These findings suggest that hinokitiol could deliver iron from the liver to red blood cells and thus improve hemoglobin in mice.

The researchers noted that although the iron distribution still fell short of normal in mice treated with hinokitiol, hemoglobin and red blood cell levels were improved to normal range. This indicates that the small molecule, while not a perfect replacement for ferroportin, could effectively address anemia, said Illinois graduate student Stella Ekaputri, the first author of the study.

In healthy organisms, there is a threshold of functionality. Our goal is to give a little bit of a boost so that the threshold is reached, Ekaputri said. Even though our small molecule is not perfect, homeostasis is recovered for hemoglobin. Just a little bit of boost is enough to overcome the bottlenecks that are created by the ferroportin deficiency.

The researchers dug deeper to understand the mechanisms of how hinokitiol bolstered iron transport and hemoglobin production in mice. They found that hinokitiol bound to iron within the macrophages where it had built up and ferried the iron out of the cells. Then, hinokitiol handed off the iron to another protein, transferrin, which inserted the iron back into the normal hemoglobin-production cycle, the researchers found.

The researchers verified that hinokitiol functioned the same way in human cells by studying its action in liver macrophages from human patients with ferroportin disease.

Modena professor Antonello Pietrangelo co-led the study.

Photo courtesy of Antonello Pietrangelo

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Using our patients macrophages, we were able to show that hinokitiol can very efficiently remove free iron and also iron stores from macrophages of patients with different mutations, Pietrangelo said. This, combined with the data in mice that show the hinokitiol also is effective in vivo, opens a completely new avenue for the treatment of this disorder.

The researchers are working with the company Kinesid Therapeutics, founded by Burke, to facilitate further work toward clinical application for hinokitiol or its derivatives.

The National Institutes of Health supported this work.

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Small molecule transports iron in mice, human cells to treat some forms of anemia - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Physiology

USask researchers awarded NSERC funding for future innovation in science, health and engineering – USask News

June 25, 2022 medical

NSERC Discovery Grant recipients

The below list are the recipients of the 2022 Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grants Discovery Grant amounts are awarded in instalments over a period of five years. Early career researchers were also eligible to receive a $12,500 supplement to kickstart their research program.

Julia BoughnerAnatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology College of MedicineThe Evo-Devo of Vertebrate Teeth & Jaws$280,000

Michelle CollinsAnatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology - College of MedicineExploring calcium signaling in the heart$185,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Peiqiang YuAnimal and Poultry Science College of Agriculture and BioresourcesIn-Depth Study of Feed Internal Molecular Structure and Nutrient Make-up within Cellular and Sub-cellular Dimensions Using Advanced Synchrotron Radiation Based Bioanalytical Techniques$217,360Kerry LavenderBiochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology - College of MedicineIFNa subtype-specific modulation of intrinsic, innate and adaptive immunity$140,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Anil Kumar Victoria AnsalemBiochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology - College of MedicineDiscovery and Characterization of Cellular Factors Modulating Type III Interferon Induction and Signaling$140,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Philip McLoughlinBiology College of Arts and ScienceHierarchical density dependence in large animal ecology and evolution$200,000Bishnu AcharyaChemical and Biological Engineering College of EngineeringValorization of agriculture and organic biomass to high value bioproducts$195,000Ramin AzargoharChemical and Biological Engineering - College of EngineeringSynthesis of advanced carbon materials from waste biomass and their applications in energy and electronic devices$130,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Oon-Doo BaikChemical and Biological Engineering - College of EngineeringWhy Radio frequency heating is more effective to deactivate and release non-nutritive components from pulses$140,000Timothy KellyChemistry - College of Arts and ScienceUpscaling organic and hybrid optoelectronics: synthesis, processing, and advanced characterization$310,000Christopher PhenixChemistry - College of Arts and ScienceExploring Fundamental Strategies For Imaging Hydrolytic Enzymes$180,000David SandersChemistry - College of Arts and ScienceUsing Structural Studies to Investigate the Relationships Between Enzymes and Ligands$170,000Christopher HawkesCivil, Geological and Environmental Engineering - College of EngineeringAssessing the technical aspects of spent nuclear fuel storage in deep horizontal boreholes$155,000Laura SmithCivil, Geological and Environmental Engineering - College of EngineeringDeveloping novel in situ methods to monitor and quantify groundwater storage changes in cold regions$135,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Ian McQuillanComputer Science - College of Arts and ScienceAlgorithms and Inference of Grammars and Natural Computing Models$205,000Cody PhillipsComputer Science - College of Arts and ScienceDeveloping Games and Tools to Overcome Procrastination$125,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Takuji TanakaFood and Bioproduct Sciences - College of Agriculture and BioresourcesDirected Evolution of Lactococcus lactis Xaa-Pro dipeptidase based on the rationales given through X-ray crystallographic studies$165,000Xulin GuoGeography & Planning College of Arts and ScienceIntegrating measures of grassland function using Remote Sensing$180,000Cherie WestbrookGeography & Planning - College of Arts and ScienceImpacts of Beaver Systems on Lateral and Downstream Hydrological Connectivity$255,000Ingrid PickeringGeological Sciences - College of Arts and ScienceChemistry of Selenium in Life and Interplay with Toxic Elements$310,000Alexander WeekesMathematics and Statistics - College of Arts and ScienceInteractions between representation theory, algebraic geometry, and physics$130,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Curtis WendlandtMathematics and Statistics - College of Arts and ScienceA rational approach to affine quantum algebras$130,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Donald BergstromMechanical Engineering - College of EngineeringImproved computational models for particle transport in turbulent wall-bounded flows$160,000James JohnstonMechanical Engineering - College of EngineeringDevelopment of Automated Techniques for Modelling Cartilage Morphology and Mechanics$230,000Amir Masoud GhezelbashPhysics and Engineering Physics - College of Arts and ScienceAspects of Black Holes in Modified Theories of Gravity: Holography, Weak Gravity Conjecture and Wedge Algebra$120,000Alexandre KoustovPhysics and Engineering Physics - College of Arts and ScienceStudy of the Earth's ionosphere with ground-based radars and Swarm satellites$140,000Andrei SmolyakovPhysics and Engineering Physics - College of Arts and ScienceEquilibrium, fluctuations, and transport in magnetically controlled plasmas$250,000Timothy SharbelPlant Sciences - College of Agriculture and BioresourcesFixing heterosis in Canola using apomixis$140,000Lorin EliasPsychology - College of Arts and ScienceSide Effects: How our lopsided brain influences everyday behaviour$140,000Adelaine LeungVeterinary Biomedical Sciences Western College of Veterinary MedicineNeural mechanisms integrating metabolism and reproductive behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster$160,000Suraj UnniappanVeterinary Biomedical Sciences - Western College of Veterinary MedicineHormonal Regulation of Feeding, Metabolism, Growth and Reproduction in Fish$325,000Arinjay BanerjeeVaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)Bats as a model to understand the evolution of coronavirus-host interactions$185,000Discovery Launch Supplement for Early Career Researchers recipient - $12,500Aaron WhiteVaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)Transmission and biofilm formation by pathogenic Salmonella strains$160,000

Physiology

Aging, Heart Studies on Station Ahead of Cygnus Reboost Test – NASA (.gov)

June 25, 2022 medical

As the Moon sets below Earths horizon the atmosphere refracts, or bends, its light making it appear flatter in this photograph taken from the space station.

The seven-member Expedition 67 crew split its time with a variety of human research and lab maintenance tasks on Thursday. A U.S. resupply ship is also gearing up for a test of its ability to reboost the International Space Station this weekend before its departure next week.

NASA and its international partners continuously explore how living in space affects the human body. Numerous experiments investigate how space station crew members adapt to weightlessness during their months-long missions. Scientists on Earth gain insights into how the human physiology changes and inform ways to sustain crew health over the course of a long-term space mission.

NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren explored how living in space speeds up aging-like symptoms in humans today. He collected and stowed his blood and urine samples for the Phospho-Aging study that seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the rapid loss of bone and muscle mass that takes place in microgravity. Results may inform countermeasures to keep astronauts healthier longer in space and improve the lives of aging citizens on Earth.

Astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency) and Jessica Watkins of NASA worked throughout Thursday on station upkeep activities. Cristoforetti replaced centrifuge components inside the BioLab, a research facility that studies the effects of space and radiation on single celled and multi-cellular organisms. Watkins rearranged computer hardware and installed new science computer software in the Destiny laboratory module.

NASA astronaut Bob Hines, along with Lindgren, trained on a computer to remain proficient in SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle operations. Hines also joined Watkins continuing to film and narrate station operations for downlinking to train astronauts scheduled on future missions.

Cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev and Sergey Korsakov attached sensors to themselves today monitoring their cardiac activity. Artemyev then activated Earth observation gear while Korsakov unpacked Russian cargo and worked on hatch sealing mechanisms. Flight Engineer Denis Matveev configured radiation detectors and measured the radiation environment aboard the orbiting lab.

NASA and Northrop Grumman have given the go for Cygnus to try another reboost attempt on Saturday that would lead to Cygnus potentially departing the station on Tuesday, June 28. The reboost is designed to provide Cygnus with an enhanced capability for station operations as a standard service for NASA.

Learn more about station activities by following thespace station blog,@space_stationand@ISS_Researchon Twitter, as well as theISS FacebookandISS Instagramaccounts.

Get weekly video highlights at:http://jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/videoupdate/

Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. Subscribe here:www.nasa.gov/subscribe

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Aging, Heart Studies on Station Ahead of Cygnus Reboost Test - NASA (.gov)

Physiology

Identifying Your Body’s Weaknesses in the Saddle: A Clinic with Mary Wanless – Eventing Nation

June 25, 2022 medical

They say you should never meet your idols and while I have been to a Paul McCartney concert, meeting Mary Wanless was about as amazing as a rock concert. In May I attended a Mary Wanless Clinic. I have had her books on my shelf since before I can remember; in fact, Ride With Your Mind is one of the first horse book that I ever read. The moment I discovered I could audit her clinic literally right up the road, I immediately jumped on the opportunity.

It was an incredibly hot day in May one of those days where the breeze almost felt hotter than the ambient air. I pulled into the other side of Loch Moy Farms (who knew they had an indoor over there) and walked into an arena not knowing my mind was about to be rocked.

I am not going to lie when I say I had high expectations for this clinic. I had read cover-to-cover many books before but none of them had it me as hard as The New Anatomy of Rider Connection. This book came out at a time when I was deeply immersed in anatomy trains and the importance of facia through my yoga teacher training. When I saw that Mary Wanless had applied the anatomy trains not only to the rider but to the horse I was hooked. I have read this book at least three times and every time I pick it up, I am learning something new.

If you are a total nerd for anatomy and physiology like me, this book is for you. However, if you are just looking to ride better, this book is also for you. That was one of the things that amazed me about Marys teaching style: she could meet the rider at the level they are at.

Whether that was a young girl just taking her first canter steps or a professional dressage rider, Marys knowledge of the riders body could talk circles around me, and I consider myself pretty well versed in the body (I have a four year degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science, have been a personal trainer for close to ten years and spent the last two years working for a physical therapy practice). That said I have dedicated my life to learning about the body, and it excites me when I find somebody who is truly a master of their craft.

AND she signed the book!

I missed the first day of the clinic because I had to work (damn mortgages). If I could go back in time, I would have rearranged to be there all three days, preferably with a horse but that was not meant to be at this time. I walked into the second day thinking I have read this book I can catch on and I did but I would have loved to see the transformation in the riders way of going across all three days.

The biggest take away and what I am bringing back to you is the kneel exercise she taught on the second days lecture portion. This is a great way to determine if you are relying more heavily on your Superficial Back Line or your Superficial Front Line these lines are the fascia trains that make up everyones body.

So what is fascia? According to Google, Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. It has been said that if you were to take everything else out of the body and only leave the fascia you would still be able to recognize the person in front of you. It was thought for many years in western medicine that fascia was mostly inert. But how could something so pervasive be useless? The simple is answer is: it is not!

If you havent heard of this, read the book! If you have heard of it, good! This should interest you READ THE BOOK. There is a reason its a book and not a blog post. The concepts simply can not be boiled down into a cliff notes version.

This exercise is quite hard on the knees, so I do not recommend this for those that struggle with knee pain. I also do not recommend doing it to muscle failure, but rather use it as a fact-finding mission.

1: Start by kneeling on even ground.

2. Place your hands on your stomach and you back just above your pelvis with your palms flat.

3. Engage through your core keep you tail bone tucked under.4. Lift up by leading with your belt buckle, so that your hips are over top of your knees.

The goal of this exercise is to keep even pressure on your hands and not round your back or arch your back as you go through the range of motion. If you do round or arch your back, this is telling:

If you tend to round your back, you are stronger on your superficialfrontline.

If your tendency is to arch your back to come up, youre more tight in you superficial back line.

If your tendency is to round your back, you are strong on your superficial front line. This means your tendency would be to be to get into more of a crouched position in the saddle.

If your tendency is to arch your back to come up, youre more tight in you superficial back line. This means that you will more likely lean back in the saddle and get into more on a water skiing position. Continue to work on this exercise until you can keep even pressure on your stomach and back.

Want more Rider Physiology? Read Horse Nations review of The New Anatomy of Rider Connection here.

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Identifying Your Body's Weaknesses in the Saddle: A Clinic with Mary Wanless - Eventing Nation