Category Archives: Physiology

Physiology

Understanding how natural genetic variation contributes to adaptive responses to low oxygen – News-Medical.Net

Humans are still evolving, and Tatum Simonson, PhD, founder and co-director of the Center for Physiological Genomics of Low Oxygen at University of California School of Medicine, plans to use evolution to improve healthcare for all.

Her latest research, which was published February 9, 2024 in Science Advances, reveals that a gene variant in some Andean people is associated with reduced red blood cell count at high altitude, enabling them to safely live high in the mountains in low-oxygen conditions. Simonson's UC San Diego lab is applying those findings toward understanding whether there may be a genetic component to why some people with sleep apnea or pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fare better than others.

There are people with COPD who breathe a lot and maintain a higher oxygen saturation. Others with the same disease don't breathe as much, and their oxygen saturation is low. Researchers suspect there may be genetic differences underlying this variation, similar to the variation we find in pathways important for oxygen sensing and responses underlying natural selection at high altitude."

Tatum Simonson, PhD, founder and co-director of the Center for Physiological Genomics of Low Oxygen at University of California School of Medicine

Our cells need oxygen to survive. When there isn't enough in the environment, our bodies produce extra red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body. Too many red blood cells, however, create a dangerous condition called excessive erythrocytosis (EE), which makes the blood viscous, which could lead to stroke or heart failure.

Her previous research showed that many mountain-dwelling Tibetans exposed to low-oxygen situations are born with innate mechanisms that protect them from poor outcomes at high altitude, including the overproduction of red blood cells. Part of this is due to changes in the regulation of the EPAS1 gene, which lowers hemoglobin concentrations by regulating the pathway that responds to changing oxygen levels. Advances in genetics have shown that modern Tibetans received this genetic advantage from their ancestors who mixed with archaic humans living in Asia tens of thousands of years ago-;a unique evolutionary history confined to this population.

For her latest research, Dr. Simonson, who is also the John B. West Endowed Chair in Respiratory Physiology and associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine & Physiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, zoomed in on the EPAS1 region of the genome. She and her team focused on a mutation in the gene that is present in some people living in the Andes but is absent in all other human populations. When they scanned whole Andean genomes, they found a pattern surrounding this variant suggesting that the genetic change, which alters only a single amino acid in the protein product, happened by chance, relatively recently (from 9,000 to 13,000 years ago), and spread very quickly through hundreds of generations within the Andean population.

Similar to Tibetans, the EPAS1 gene is associated with lower red blood cell count in Andeans who possess it. However, the researchers were surprised to find that the variant works in a completely different way from the Tibetan version of the gene; rather than regulating its levels, the Andean variant changes the genetic makeup of the protein, altering the DNA in every single cell.

"Tibetans have, in general, an average lower hemoglobin concentration, and their physiology deals with low oxygen in a way that doesn't increase their red blood cells to excessively high levels. Now we have the first signs of evidence that Andeans are also going down that path, involving the same gene, but with a protein-coding change. Evolution has worked in these two populations, on the same gene, but in different ways," said Simonson.

This study exemplifies a current approach in research that connects genetic targets of natural selection with complex disease genes-;understanding, for example, how natural genetic variation contributes to adaptive and maladaptive responses to low oxygen, as this study reveals.

In Simonson's lab, that means figuring out what downstream target genes are being turned on in response to low oxygen, among other things. Said Simonson, "This paper shows one gene associated with one particular phenotype, but we think there are many different genes and components of oxygen transport involved. It's just one piece of that puzzle, and could provide researchers with information relevant to other populations."

Simonson and her team are working with Latino populations in San Diego and El Centro, California, as well as Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico, taking them to high altitudes and recording their breathing while awake and asleep. They're cross-referencing their findings with publicly available databases to determine whether the findings they've made in Andeans are also found in local Latinos who may share some genetic variants with the Andeans.

"In precision medicine, it's important to recognize variation in genetic backgrounds, specifically in historically understudied populations," Simonson said. "If we can find some shared genetic factors in populations in an extreme environment, that may help us understand aspects of health and disease in that group and groups more locally. In that way, this study aims to push research forward, and towards comprehensive personalized medicine approaches in clinics here in San Diego."

Co-authors of the study include: Elijah S. Lawrence, Wanjun Gu, James J. Yu, Erica C. Heinrich, Katie A. O'Brien, Carlos A. Vasquez, Quinn T. Cowan , Patrick T. Bruck , Kysha Mercader, Mona Alotaibi, Tao Long, James E. Hall, Esteban A. Moya, Marco A. Bauk, Jennifer J. Reeves, Mitchell C. Kong, Rany M. Salem, Keolu P. Fox, Atul Malhotra, Frank L. Powel, Mohit Jain and Alexis C. Komor at UC San Diego, Ryan J. Bohlender, Hao Hu and Chad D. Huff at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Cecilia Anza-Ramirez, Gustavo Vizcardo-Galindo , Jose-Luis Macarlupu , Rmulo Figueroa-Mujca, Daniela Bermudez, Noemi Corante and Francisco C. Villafuerte at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Eduardo Gaio at Universidad de Braslia, Veikko Salomaa and Aki S. Havulinna at Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and Andrew J. Murray at Cambridge University and Gianpiero L. Cavalleri at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

This study was funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (Grants R01HL145470 [TSS] and T32HL134632 [JEH]), Geographic Society Explorer Award, and John B West Endowment in Respiratory Physiology (TSS), Wellcome Trust Award 107544/Z/15/Z (FCV), Marie Skodowska-Curie grant agreement No 890768 (KAO), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Ford Foundation Fellowship (CAV), National Science Foundation Grant No DGE-2038238 (PTB), Research Corporation for Science Advancement through Cottrell Scholar Award 27502 (ACK), Science Foundation Ireland 12/IP/1727 (GLC), Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research and Juho Vainio Foundation (VS), and Academy of Finland (ASH).

Source:

Journal reference:

Lawrence, E. S., et al. (2024). FunctionalEPAS1/HIF2Amissense variant is associated with hematocrit in Andean highlanders.Science Advances. doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adj5661.

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Understanding how natural genetic variation contributes to adaptive responses to low oxygen - News-Medical.Net

Physiology

‘From slow visual feedback to real-time plant physiology’ – Verticalfarmdaily.com: global indoor farming news

Visual feedback of the plant structure is too slow for real-time optimization of the growing climate. Gardin measures photosynthesis, the most fundamental physiological process in the plant that is directly related to the assimilation of sugars for growth says Julian Godding, Lead data scientist at Gardin, a UK agritech.

Measuring photosynthesis in growing environments Growers are constantly trying to understand how the environment affects their plants and respond quickly to mitigate variability and achieve production targets. However, visual feedback from plants is slow - taking days or even weeks to materialize. This severely limits the potential for data-driven growing since several variables may impact the crop within that period. Chlorophyll fluorescence monitors the photosynthetic activity of the plant and is a powerful technique that has been used in plant research for decades.

However, deployment in commercial farms has been limited because of high costs, a lack of automation and a gap in technical knowledge. It is well known that photosynthesis is the fundamental process in plant growth, making the technique a good indicator of how the growing environment is impacting plant productivity. Gardins novel chlorophyll fluorescence sensor is designed for use in commercial farms. It uses advanced optical engineering to autonomously measure hundreds of plants throughout the day and employs algorithms to deliver interpretable insights to growers.

Real-time plant feedback Over the past two years, Gardin has been undertaking research funded by InnovateUK in partnership with the Advanced Plant Centre, hosted at the James Hutton Institute, and Intelligent Growth Solutions. The project explored the potential for chlorophyll fluorescence to be used as a technique for plant-driven optimization in CEA.

Whether due to the outdoor climate in a greenhouse or the impact of microclimates in indoor farms, growth environments for food production are constantly changing. Small changes in temperature and humidity can have a significant impact on plant outcomes, affecting yield and quality; and making it harder for growers to meet their targets Tevan et al, 2021 - The left side image shows an RGB capture of the plant canopy, right side image shows a thermal capture of the same plants. The brighter color indicates a higher temperature.

For the first time, Gardins sensors have enabled us to remotely explore plant activity in an industrial setting. This invention has been a significant milestone in our quest to optimize recipe development and is crucial for creating the optimal plant environment, says Csaba Hornyik, Senior Plant Scientist at Intelligent Growth Solutions.

Until now, growers could not measure the effect of the climate on plant physiology in real-time and at scale using cost-effective sensors, instead having to rely on visual parameters such as height, with limited resolution and flexibility.

Gardin's technology gives growers access to quantified measurements of plant photosynthesis, enabling a new method of growing that uses plant-driven insights to achieve better results. Julian explains that in most other industries, there is an obsession with measuring product quality. However, in agriculture, growers often rely on indirect indicators like temperature and humidity, as plant physiology is hard to measure accurately at scale. Gardin aims to bridge this gap and establish a growth method based on direct feedback from the plants."

Moustakas et al, 2022

By linking the climate to the plants, Gardin aims to consolidate all environmental variables into simple plant insights that enable rapid optimization of the growing environment and validating this approach was one of the key aims of the research. To achieve this, the photosynthetic activity of several species was measured in a controlled indoor growth environment with artificial lighting.

More than fifty batches of plants were grown with different light intensities while maintaining the same overall climate but with the presence of microclimates. The fertigation strategy was adjusted at one point, and there were variations in germination density. This reflects the reality of production environments - continuous improvement was a great test for the ability of chlorophyll fluorescence to flexibly monitor plants under different conditions and clearly distinguish their photosynthetic performance.

The results showed Gardins measurements of photosynthetic efficiency correlating well with the fresh weight (kg/m2/annum) and productivity (kg/m2/kWh) of each batch of plants. In other words, Gardin's photosynthesis measurements could effectively explain 50% of the variability in productivity across hundreds of kilos of plant product using a simple metric that is generalizable for any cultivar. This capability to directly measure plant productivity is a step change in agriculture, accelerating the grower feedback loop from weeks to mere minutes. Moreover, Gardin's capacity to measure across a broad canopy area assures growers that they are optimizing their entire farm's productivity and quality.

In addition, the James Hutton Institute conducted a nutritional analysis to study the impact on food quality. In an exciting development, it was discovered that basil plants with lower stress levels, as measured by the Gardin sensor, had lower concentrations of estragole - a carcinogenic and genotoxic compound that causes an unfavorable aniseed taste.

These exciting findings underscore the significance of reducing plant stress events in growing environments to the benefit of consumers. The project is an elegant illustration of what can be achieved by using Gardins real-time metrics as an optimization parameter - were very excited to see more and more growers adopt them to improve the productivity of their farm. The James Hutton brings experience to the complex task of plant nutritional analysis and allowed us to make novel discoveries linking the growing environment to the nutritional content of leafy greens. notes Fabrizio Ticchiarelli, Lead Biologist at Gardin.

Plant driven growing Gardin Pulse is a farm management product designed for commercial growers. It serves as a tool for rapidly optimizing growing environments with confidence. Proprietary analytics provide instant insight into farm performance, visualizing the impact of a changing environment and enabling rapid testing of different climate strategies to achieve the best results. With energy prices currently a key concern of growers, Gardin Pulse offers a solution for growers to determine energy savings strategies with optimal lighting and heating control for the plants.

Julian Godding, Lead data scientist at Gardin will be presenting 'Plant Computer: the next generation of greenhouse cultivation' at the Startup Arena Hall 5.1 at the Fruit Logistica this week.

For more information: Gardin http://www.gardin.co.uk

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'From slow visual feedback to real-time plant physiology' - Verticalfarmdaily.com: global indoor farming news

Physiology

The Future of Space Biology, Physiology, and Medicine: Exploring the Effects of Gravity on Human Cells – Medriva

Understanding the Effects of Gravity on Human Cells

Space biology, space physiology, and space medicine are rapidly evolving fields that hold the key to our future in space. As we dream of establishing human colonies on the Moon and Mars, it is crucial to understand how the human body adapts to different levels of gravity. The proposed research activities aim to fill the gaps in our knowledge of how cells adapt to microgravity, partial gravity (on the Moon and Mars), and hypergravity.

The research involves studying mechano-biological coupling mechanisms and exploring tissue-like responses to gravity alterations using 3D models. The effects of gravity on cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and stress response are also areas of focus. A key aspect of the research is investigating the interplay between altered gravity and space radiation. The studies will be conducted using various platforms such as the International Space Station (ISS), parabolic flights, centrifuges, and on-ground systems.

One of the challenges in space medicine is the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during spaceflight. A study highlighted in Nature discusses the use of ultrasound for venous assessment and venous thrombosis screening in spaceflight. The study emphasizes the need to establish the validity of venous ultrasound for the diagnosis of DVT during spaceflight and the challenges in diagnostic accuracy and management studies.

Microgravity related changes may confound the diagnosis of DVT, and the effect of venous interventions to reverse them needs to be identified. The study calls for future research to account for microgravity related changes, evaluate the individual effect of venous interventions, and adopt Earth-based venous ultrasound standards.

A similar study published in the National Library of Medicine also highlights the challenges of diagnosing and managing DVT in space. The study developed an appropriateness tool following expert panel discussions but found that spaceflight venous ultrasound did not meet all appropriateness criteria compared to terrestrial standards.

The Human Biology News page on ScienceDaily provides updates on the latest research activities and findings in human biology, including space physiology, space medicine, and space biology. Following such resources can help us stay updated with the progress in this field.

As we move closer to becoming a multi-planetary species, understanding the effects of altered gravity on human biology, physiology, and medicine is crucial. The proposed research activities aim to add to our knowledge in these areas and help us prepare for a future in space. The challenges in diagnosing and managing health conditions in space underline the need for continued research and development in space medicine.

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The Future of Space Biology, Physiology, and Medicine: Exploring the Effects of Gravity on Human Cells - Medriva

Physiology

Master of Science in Medical Physiology program admissions open office hour – The Daily | Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University students are invited to join the Master of Science in Medical Physiology program for a virtual admissions open office hour Thursday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m.

Samantha Baker, director of admissions, will be available to answer questions about admissions, curriculum, enrichment experiences, life in Cleveland, student successes and more. This is a drop-in style session; there will not be a formal presentation.

Get more information.

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Master of Science in Medical Physiology program admissions open office hour - The Daily | Case Western Reserve University

Physiology

The Impact of GATAD2B Mutations on Brain Function and Development – Medriva

The Impact of GATAD2B Mutations on Brain Function and Development

One of the fundamental aspects of understanding neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities is to explore the underlying genetic factors. A gene that has been drawing attention in recent years is GATAD2B. This gene is implicated in brain development and physiology, and mutations in it can lead to profound effects, particularly on cognitive function.

A recent study, focusing on the role of GATAD2B, utilized a mouse model with an inactivating mutation in Gatad2b. The research findings indicated that mutant Gatad2b mice exhibited behavioral and learning abnormalities similar to the human phenotype. These abnormalities were accompanied by abnormal cortical development and gene expression patterns, suggesting that GATAD2B mutations result in abnormal epigenetic transcriptional regulation of corticogenesis, thereby leading to intellectual disability.

Several scientific techniques were employed to understand the role and impact of GATAD2B mutations on brain development. Quantitative PCR was used to assess Gatad2b expression levels in the brain of mice, and Western blot analysis was performed to detect the Gatad2b protein. These techniques were coupled with histological analysis and behavioral tests to evaluate cognitive function in the mutant mice.

Furthermore, the research employed single-cell RNA sequencing to identify shared cell states across different samples. It also conducted gene ontology enrichment analysis to gain insights into the pathogenesis mechanisms associated with GATAD2B haploinsufficiency. The study included a detailed description of the experimental procedures and ethical considerations, ensuring the integrity of the scientific process.

The findings of this study contribute significantly to the understanding of GATAD2B and its implications for brain function and development. The observation of abnormal cortical development and gene expression in mutant mice provides valuable insights into the potential pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning neurodevelopmental disorders associated with GATAD2B mutations.

This research also highlights the potential of GATAD2B as a therapeutic target for neurological disorders. Given its role in regulating gene expression and its impact on cognitive function, targeting GATAD2B could pave the way for innovative therapies in neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities.

For more information on the role of GATAD2B in brain development and physiology, you may refer to these resources:

They provide detailed information on the role of GATAD2B in brain development, its function in regulating gene expression, and its impact on neurodevelopmental disorders.

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The Impact of GATAD2B Mutations on Brain Function and Development - Medriva

Physiology

Influence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Hypoxia on AF: A Pulmonary Physiological Perspective – Physician’s Weekly

The following is a summary of SleepDisordered Breathing, Hypoxia, and Pulmonary Physiologic Influences in Atrial Fibrillation, published in the November 2023 issue of Cardiology by Heinzinger et al.

In this study, using a substantial clinical cohort, researchers investigated the link between sleep-disordered breathing, sleep-related hypoxia, and atrial fibrillation (AF) development. The relationship between sleep-related hypoxia, pulmonary physiology, and their contributions to the onset of AF remains ambiguous, prompting the comprehensive analysis. Their retrospective cohort comprised patients undergoing sleep studies at Cleveland Clinic between January 2, 2000, and December 30, 2015. Using Cox proportional hazards models, they assessed various parameters, including apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen saturation levels, and end-tidal carbon dioxide about incident AF, adjusting for multiple factors. The cohort of 42,057 individuals, with a median age of 50.7 years and diverse demographic characteristics, saw 4.6% developing AF within 5 years. Elevated apnea-hypopnea index, reduced oxygen saturation levels, and increased carbon dioxide were associated with heightened AF risk. Specifically, a 10-unit increase in the apnea-hypopnea index led to a 2% higher risk, while similar changes in oxygen saturation levels were linked to a 6% to 30% increased AF risk.

After considering spirometry factors, sleep-related hypoxia remained significantly associated with incident AF, indicating a substantial role in AF development independent of pulmonary physiological impairment. These findings underscore the substantial impact of sleep-related hypoxia on AF incidence, highlighting its significance even when accounting for pulmonary physiological factors.

Source: ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.031462

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Influence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Hypoxia on AF: A Pulmonary Physiological Perspective - Physician's Weekly

Physiology

MBRSC to host International Society for Gravitational Physiology meeting – BroadcastProME.com

Abstract submission is now open for the 43rd International Society for Gravitational Physiology Meeting, which will be hosted in the UAE from May 26-31, 2024.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is set to host the 43rd International Society for Gravitational Physiology (ISGP) Meeting for the first time ever in the Arab world. Scheduled to be held from May 26-31, 2024, at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the event will bring together eminent scientists, representatives from space agencies, young researchers, as well as students.

The meeting aims to foster an exchange of knowledge on the biological and physiological effects of gravity on living organisms. The meeting will not only serve as a collaborative platform, but also be utilised to announce new research and educational opportunities in the field.

Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said: Hosting the 43rd ISGP Meeting is a significant milestone in our continuous efforts to foster knowledge sharing and scientific collaboration. This event aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing the understanding of space and its impact on life. By bringing together leading experts in gravitational physiology, we aim to further the boundaries of space science research and education, contributing substantially to the local and global scientific community. We are grateful to our partners at MBRU for partnering on this event. The university has collaborated on numerous projects, including on experiments for astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi during his historic mission aboard the International Space Station. It is through such collaborations that we can truly unlock the potential of space and its profound effects on human health, driving innovation and discovery in the space sector. We look forward to gaining new insights into the world of gravitational science through this meeting and hope it fosters a culture of scientific excellence and exploration, ultimately contributing to the progress of humanity and our understanding of the universe.

Dr Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, added: We are proud to be part of the 43rd ISGP meeting which will be held at MBRU. This event is an excellent opportunity for our students, to learn, network and gain insights into the impact of gravity on physiological processes and enhance their understanding of human health in different gravitational environments. Such scientific events perfectly align with our missions at MBRU and Dubai Health. Our integrated academic health system places a strong emphasis on lifelong learning, as we are very much committed to ensuring that our learners are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the local and global scientific community, ultimately advancing health for humanity. We are very thankful to our friends at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre who afforded this opportunity to our students, which is truly unique as it is the first meeting of its kind in the Arab world. We look forward to the insightful discussions, learnings and new research that will emerge from this gathering.

The ISGP association, established in 1979, has a rich history of promoting scientific knowledge on gravitys effects on living organisms and encouraging public and academic interest in this field. Hosting the event in the UAE symbolises the growing stature of the nation in the international science community, providing an opportunity for the UAE science community to engage with global experts, promote the latest findings, including those of Sultan AlNeyadis research projects during his six-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS), as well as the opportunity to highlight the countrys participation in Analog simulation missions.

Pr.Marc-Antoine Custaud, President of ISGP, stated: We are very pleased to announce that our 43rd annual ISGP meeting will be held in Dubai and hosted by MBRSC. This will be an important event for all international researchers working in the field of space physiology, providing a wonderful opportunity to meet each other. The meeting is already shaping up to be a great success.

Abstract submissions for the 43rd ISGP Meeting are now open, while registrations will be opened in February 2024.

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MBRSC to host International Society for Gravitational Physiology meeting - BroadcastProME.com

Physiology

If anxiety is in my brain, why is my heart pounding? A psychiatrist explains the neuroscience and physiology of fear – PsyPost

Heart in your throat. Butterflies in your stomach. Bad gut feeling. These are all phrases many people use to describe fear and anxiety. You have likely felt anxiety inside your chest or stomach, and your brain usually doesnt hurt when youre scared. Many cultures tie cowardice and bravery more to the heart or the guts than to the brain.

But science has traditionally seen the brain as the birthplace and processing site of fear and anxiety. Then why and how do you feel these emotions in other parts of your body?

I am a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who researches and treats fear and anxiety. In my book Afraid, I explain how fear works in the brain and the body and what too much anxiety does to the body. Research confirms that while emotions do originate in your brain, its your body that carries out the orders.

While your brain evolved to save you from a falling rock or speeding predator, the anxieties of modern life are often a lot more abstract. Fifty-thousand years ago, being rejected by your tribe could mean death, but not doing a great job on a public speech at school or at work doesnt have the same consequences. Your brain, however, might not know the difference.

There are a few key areas of the brain that are heavily involved in processing fear.

When you perceive something as dangerous, whether its a gun pointed at you or a group of people looking unhappily at you, these sensory inputs are first relayed to the amygdala. This small, almond-shaped area of the brain located near your ears detects salience, or the emotional relevance of a situation and how to react to it. When you see something, it determines whether you should eat it, attack it, run away from it or have sex with it.

Threat detection is a vital part of this process, and it has to be fast. Early humans did not have much time to think when a lion was lunging toward them. They had to act quickly. For this reason, the amygdala evolved to bypass brain areas involved in logical thinking and can directly engage physical responses. For example, seeing an angry face on a computer screen can immediately trigger a detectable response from the amygdala without the viewer even being aware of this reaction.

The hippocampus is near and tightly connected to the amygdala. Its involved in memorizing what is safe and what is dangerous, especially in relation to the environment it puts fear in context. For example, seeing an angry lion in the zoo and in the Sahara both trigger a fear response in the amygdala. But the hippocampus steps in and blocks this response when youre at the zoo because you arent in danger.

The prefrontal cortex, located above your eyes, is mostly involved in the cognitive and social aspects of fear processing. For example, you might be scared of a snake until you read a sign that the snake is nonpoisonous or the owner tells you its their friendly pet.

Although the prefrontal cortex is usually seen as the part of the brain that regulates emotions, it can also teach you fear based on your social environment. For example, you might feel neutral about a meeting with your boss but immediately feel nervous when a colleague tells you about rumors of layoffs. Many prejudices like racism are rooted in learning fear through tribalism.

If your brain decides that a fear response is justified in a particular situation, it activates a cascade of neuronal and hormonal pathways to prepare you for immediate action. Some of the fight-or-flight response like heightened attention and threat detection takes place in the brain. But the body is where most of the action happens.

Several pathways prepare different body systems for intense physical action. The motor cortex of the brain sends rapid signals to your muscles to prepare them for quick and forceful movements. These include muscles in the chest and stomach that help protect vital organs in those areas. That might contribute to a feeling of tightness in your chest and stomach in stressful conditions.

The sympathetic nervous system is the gas pedal that speeds up the systems involved in fight or flight. Sympathetic neurons are spread throughout the body and are especially dense in places like the heart, lungs and intestines. These neurons trigger the adrenal gland to release hormones like adrenaline that travel through the blood to reach those organs and increase the rate at which they undergo the fear response.

To assure sufficient blood supply to your muscles when theyre in high demand, signals from the sympathetic nervous system increase the rate your heart beats and the force with which it contracts. You feel both increased heart rate and contraction force in your chest, which is why you may connect the feeling of intense emotions to your heart.

In your lungs, signals from the sympathetic nervous system dilate airways and often increase your breathing rate and depth. Sometimes this results in a feeling of shortness of breath.

As digestion is the last priority during a fight-or-flight situation, sympathetic activation slows down your gut and reduces blood flow to your stomach to save oxygen and nutrients for more vital organs like the heart and the brain. These changes to your gastrointestinal system can be perceived as the discomfort linked to fear and anxiety.

All bodily sensations, including those visceral feelings from your chest and stomach, are relayed back to the brain through the pathways via the spinal cord. Your already anxious and highly alert brain then processes these signals at both conscious and unconscious levels.

The insula is a part of the brain specifically involved in conscious awareness of your emotions, pain and bodily sensations. The prefrontal cortex also engages in self-awareness, especially by labeling and naming these physical sensations, like feeling tightness or pain in your stomach, and attributing cognitive value to them, like this is fine and will go away or this is terrible and I am dying. These physical sensations can sometimes create a loop of increasing anxiety as they make the brain feel more scared of the situation because of the turmoil it senses in the body.

Although the feelings of fear and anxiety start in your brain, you also feel them in your body because your brain alters your bodily functions. Emotions take place in both your body and your brain, but you become aware of their existence with your brain. As the rapper Eminem recounted in his song Lose Yourself, the reason his palms were sweaty, his knees weak and his arms heavy was because his brain was nervous.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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If anxiety is in my brain, why is my heart pounding? A psychiatrist explains the neuroscience and physiology of fear - PsyPost

Physiology

Renowned Researcher in Physiology to Chair UVA’s Department of … – UVA Health Newsroom

The School of Medicine has recruited Ling Qi, PhD, a leading researcher in protein folding and degradation, to lead its Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics.

Dr. Qi brings incredible expertise as a scientist in understanding how protein degradation within an area of our cells called the endoplasmic reticulum causes disease, together with a selfless, inclusive leadership style and a passion for mentorship and education, saidMelina R. Kibbe, MD, the dean of the UVA School of Medicine and chief health affairs officer for UVA Health. His vision to support groundbreaking discoveries in the department meshes perfectly with ourstrategic planfor the School of Medicine and UVA Health.

Qi comes to UVA from the University of Michigan Medical School, where he has served as a professor in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and the Department of Internal Medicine since 2016. He has served as president of the Chinese American Diabetes Association, chair of a National Institutes of Health study section and chair of the Biomedical Council at University of Michigan Medical School. He received the Scientific Achievement Award from the Chinese American Diabetes Association, career development and junior faculty awards from the American Diabetes Association and the Bio-Serv Award from the American Nutrition Society. He was elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2021.

Qi has brought in more than $20 million in research over his career and has co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications. His laboratory has uncovered the importance of how the breakdown of proteins within an area of our cells called the endoplasmic reticulum affects many aspects of physiological process and contributes to diseases such asdiabetes, obesity and neurological disorders.

As an educator, Qi has trained more than 50 undergraduate students, 22 graduate students and 27 postdoctoral fellows. During his tenure at Cornell University where he spent nine years before joining the University of Michigan Qi earned the State University of New York Chancellors Award for Excellence in Teaching, a top award for the states best teachers, in 2014.

The Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics has an exceptionally strong foundation and an outstanding team of investigators, and I look forward to seeing how Dr. Qi can energize and inspire the department to continue its outstanding track record of scientific breakthroughs, Kibbe said.

Qi earned his bachelors degree from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and his PhD from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He also completed fellowships at Johns Hopkins University and the Salk Institute before joining Cornell University.

I will devote myself unconditionally to build on the departments strengths, tirelessly recruit and retain the best people and advocate for all faculty, staff, and trainees, Qi said. I am looking forward to learning from this great community at UVA Health and improving myself by working closely with my colleagues and the health systems leaders.

Qi will begin his tenure as chair on September 1, 2023. He succeeds Lukas Tamm, PhD, who has served as chair of the department since 2018.

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Renowned Researcher in Physiology to Chair UVA's Department of ... - UVA Health Newsroom

Physiology

Research Fellow (Aging and Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory … – Times Higher Education

Job Description

The National University of Singapore invites applications for Research Fellow under Aging and Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory in the Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

We have a deep interest in identifying genes and pathways that are crucial for normal and cancer brain stem cell function, as such studies have implications in regenerative medicine and cancer. Appointments will be made on a one-year contract basis, with the possibility of extension with good performance.

Purpose of the post

The Research Fellow (RF) will be responsible to, and work closely with the Principal Investigator and study team members to ensure the successful completion of the experiments on time. The RFs principal role will be to design and execute experiments, analyze data, write manuscripts and manage experimental protocols.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Fellow (RF) will be conducting research related to brain stem cell function in the normal brain and during malignancy. The RF will be able to:

Qualifications

The applicant should possess:

Remuneration will be commensurate with the candidates qualifications and experience.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge CampusOrganization: Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineDepartment : PhysiologyEmployee Referral Eligible: NoJob requisition ID : 20169

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Research Fellow (Aging and Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory ... - Times Higher Education