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#physiology

9 posts9 participants0 posts today
Public
Dave Muth

Different animal brains develop in different ways from different cells. We are surrounded by ALIEN intelligences.

Here's another brain research link, to Dr. Maria Antonietta Tosches work on brain development:
tosches-lab.com/research

The text on the page goes into digestible details. But the talk video she gives there is an hour long deep dive.

It's all cool stuff.
#Brain #Science #Neuroscience #Physiology bne.social/@phocks/11430820558

Tosches LabResearch | Tosches Lab
Public
Nicola Romanò

Our new preprint is now out!

Dynamic transcriptional heterogeneity in pituitary corticotrophs

biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/20

We analysed publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data of pituitary gland tissue and looked at corticotrophs, cells that are central to mediate stress responses.

We identified several transcriptional states in these cells that are related to how they respond to stress. Cells are able to transition between these states and this might be helpful for them to respond to stress coming at unpredictable times.

We also highlight issues related to using scRNAseq to look at functional subpopulations of cells.

bioRxiv · Dynamic transcriptional heterogeneity in pituitary corticotrophsA large body of evidence has shown that corticotrophs, the anterior pituitary cells central to the generation of hormonal stress responses, exhibit heterogeneous functional behavior, suggesting the presence of functional sub-populations of corticotrophs. We investigated whether this was the case at the transcriptomic level by conducting a comprehensive analysis of scRNA-seq datasets from rodent pituitary cells. We envisaged two alternative scenarios, one where robust subtypes of corticotrophs exist, and the other where these subpopulations were only transient states, possibly transitioning into one another. Our findings suggest that corticotrophs transition between multiple transcriptional states rather than existing as rigidly defined subpopulations. We employed marker gene-based comparisons and whole transcriptome label transfer approaches to analyze transcriptional signatures across datasets. Marker-based clustering revealed strikingly low similarity in the identified subpopulations across datasets. This analysis evidenced the presence of transcriptional states with different functional relevance, related to different stages of hormonal signalling. Similarly, the label transfer approach, which considers non-linear interactions across the entire transcriptome showed that transcriptional states could be detected across independent datasets. This classification relied on broader gene expression patterns rather than conventional marker genes, reinforcing the notion of continuous rather than discrete cell states. Furthermore, trajectory analysis by RNA velocity indicated dynamic transitions between transcriptional states, suggesting the presence of transcriptional mechanisms facilitating rapid recruitment of corticotrophs in response to physiological demands. Our findings align with evidence from other endocrine cell types, such as lactotrophs and pancreatic β-cells, where hormone secretion is linked to fluctuating transcriptional activity. The observed transitions in corticotroph states suggest a mechanism allowing flexible hormonal responses to unpredictable and time-varying stressful events. Additionally, this study highlights the challenges associated with scRNA-seq methodologies, including data sparsity, batch effects, and pseudoreplication, underscoring the need for rigorous experimental design and reproducibility in single-cell transcriptomics research. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of pituitary cell plasticity and endocrine adaptation mechanisms. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
#scrnaseq#stress#physiology
Public
RDN

A very small study (10 individuals) found that 7 days of 1-hour ice baths was associated with lower programmed cell death (apoptosis) and greater cleanup of cellular waste (autophagy).

Summary: uottawa.ca/about-us/news-all/c

Original paper: advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.c

About usCold plunges actually change your cells, uOttawa study finds | About usA new study conducted at the Human and Environmental Physiology Research lab (HEPRU) at the University of Ottawa has unveiled significant findings on the effects of cold water acclimation on autophagic (the cells’ recycling system, which promotes cellular health) and apoptotic (the programmed cell death that gets rid of damaged cells) responses in young males. The research highlights the potential for cold exposure to enhance cellular resilience against stress.The study, conducted by Kelli King, postdoctoral fellow, and Glen Kenny, Full Professor at uOttawa’s School of Human Kinetics and Director of HEPRU, involved ten healthy young males who underwent cold-water immersion at 14°C (57.2°F) for one hour across seven consecutive days. Blood samples were collected to analyze the participants' cellular responses before and after the acclimation period.“Our findings indicate that repeated cold exposure significantly improves autophagic function, a critical cellular protective mechanism,” says Professor Kenny. “This enhancement allows cells to better manage stress and could have important implications for health and longevity.”
#Science#Health#Cold
Public
Charlie McHenry

Brain scans of infants reveal the moment we start making memories - A team from Columbia and Yale University scanned the brains of 26 infants and toddlers aged 4 to 25 months as they completed a memory task. They found that at roughly a year old, a part of the brain crucial to memory formation spun into action and began generating neural signals related to things the kids remembered from the tests. #memory #brain #physiology #BrainDevelopment #thinking #ChildGrowthAndDevelopment #consciousness
singularityhub.com/2025/03/20/

SingularityHub · Brain Scans of Infants Reveal the Moment We Start Making MemoriesA new study on "infantile amnesia" aims to answer a century-old mystery: Why can’t most us remember our earliest years?
Public
ScienceOpen

'MicroRNA profiling in umbilical cord plasma: links to maternal metabolism and neonatal metabolic and inflammatory traits' - an article in The Journal of #Physiology on #ScienceOpen:
scienceopen.com/document?vid=8

ScienceOpenMicroRNA profiling in umbilical cord plasma: links to maternal metabolism and neonatal metabolic and inflammatory traits<div xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="tjp16577-sec-0010"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d8438985e375">Abstract</h5> <p dir="auto" id="d8438985e377">MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of mRNA translation and play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we profiled miRNAs in umbilical cord plasma (UCP) to explore the association of neonatal circulating miRNAs with maternal metabolic parameters and neonatal anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory characteristics in healthy pregnancies. Data and UCP samples were collected from 16 pregnancies, equally divided between normal‐weight and overweight mothers and between male and female newborns. Using next‐generation sequencing, we identified and quantified miRNAs in UCP, alongside the analysis of metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Our results revealed that the majority of UCP miRNAs are sensitive to maternal and neonatal characteristics, particularly maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain, placental weight, UCP leptin, UCP C‐reactive protein and UCP insulin levels. Notably, we identified a strong association between the placenta‐derived chromosome 19 microRNA cluster (C19MC) and placental weight, gestational weight gain, UCP insulin and neonatal weight. Likewise, the pregnancy‐specific chromosome 14 microRNA cluster (C14MC) was associated with maternal body mass index and UCP leptin. Our study highlights the sensitivity of UCP miRNAs to maternal metabolic conditions, demonstrates their association with neonatal metabolic and inflammatory traits, and underscores the potential role of circulating cord blood miRNAs in fetal metabolism and development. <div class="boxed-text panel" id="d8438985e379"> <a class="named-anchor" id="d8438985e379"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <div class="figure-container so-text-align-c"> <img alt="" class="figure" src="/document_file/e60a1415-6c49-4e76-909d-2d749e161ffa/PubMedCentral/image/TJP-603-1663-g005.jpg"/> </div> <div class="panel-content"/> </div> </p> </div><div xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="tjp16577-sec-0020"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d8438985e383">Key points</h5> <p dir="auto" id="d8438985e385"> <div class="list"> <a class="named-anchor" id="tjp16577-list-0001"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <ul> <li id="d8438985e388"> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p class="first" dir="auto" id="d8438985e389">MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory RNA molecules that modulate protein expression. They are present in all body fluids and umbilical cord plasma and are affected by metabolic changes. </p> </div> </li> <li id="d8438985e391"> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p class="first" dir="auto" id="d8438985e392">Pregnancy is a state of metabolic change in the mother, and maternal metabolism affects fetal development. </p> </div> </li> <li id="d8438985e394"> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p class="first" dir="auto" id="d8438985e395">We found that the composition of umbilical cord blood miRNAs is associated with maternal and neonatal metabolism. </p> </div> </li> <li id="d8438985e397"> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p class="first" dir="auto" id="d8438985e398">Pregnancy‐specific groups of miRNAs showed particular patterns, with miRNAs encoded by a region of chromosome 14 associated with maternal body mass index and with miRNAs encoded by a specific region of chromosome 19 associated with umbilical cord plasma insulin. </p> </div> </li> <li id="d8438985e400"> <div class="so-custom-list-content so-ol"> <p class="first" dir="auto" id="d8438985e401">MicroRNAs represent a separate dimension through which maternal metabolism can influence fetal development. </p> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </p> </div><p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="first" dir="auto" id="d8438985e405"> <b>Abstract figure legend</b> The present study explored the relationship between circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in umbilical cord plasma (UCP), analysed via next‐generation sequencing, and maternal metabolic traits, in addition to neonatal anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory traits. Correlation analysis identified maternal body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain as the strongest influencing factors among maternal characteristics. For neonatal characteristics, placental weight, neonatal glucose metabolism and UCP leptin levels showed the most significant effects. The font size illustrates the number of miRNAs correlating with these key influencing factors. Among the miRNAs, the pregnancy‐specific miRNA clusters located on chromosomes 19 (C19MC) and 14 (C14MC) were particularly affected. <div class="boxed-text panel" id="d8438985e410"> <a class="named-anchor" id="d8438985e410"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <div class="figure-container so-text-align-c"> <img alt="" class="figure" src="/document_file/e60a1415-6c49-4e76-909d-2d749e161ffa/PubMedCentral/image/TJP-603-1663-g005.jpg"/> </div> <div class="panel-content"/> </div> </p>
Public
ScienceOpen

'The Journal of Physiology' by The Physiological Society publishes #Research in all areas of #Physiology and #Pathophysiology that illustrates new physiological principles, mechanisms or premises:
scienceopen.com/collection/362

ScienceOpenThe Journal of Physiology<p><em>The Journal of Physiology</em> publishes research in all areas of physiology and pathophysiology that illustrates new physiological principles, mechanisms or premises. Papers on work at the molecular level, cell membrane, single cells, tissues or organs, and on systems physiology are all encouraged. We are particularly keen on research that has a clinical or translational focus, to help further our understanding of the role physiology plays in health and disease. A publication of The Physiological Society</p>
Public *
preLights

Hyaluronic acid deposition & a soft ECM promote digit regeneration in mice. 🐁

@JontyTownson covers the first #preprint from the Storer lab.

Jonathan: "I really appreciated the combination of many different techniques to build a compelling narrative about the role of different cell types regulating HA networks in regenerative wounds and the influence stiffness has on this process."

#preLight ⬇️ 👀

prelights.biologists.com/highl

#biology#biophysics#DevBio
Public *
ScienceCommunicator

If you #vape, l assume that you're not aware that vaping is #unhealthy?

Unhealthy for #physiology in general (colloquially, unhealthy for the "body & mind")

But, it depends on what chemicals are being vaporised. For example, inhaling water vapour is OK. But the vape "juice" sold on the market (e.g., in shops), is unhealthy to vape. E.g., it reduces respiratory function \ efficiency of the lungs. Plus, has negative psychological 'hang over' effects

Don't simply trust advertising!

#health
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