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        <title>Frontiers in Physiology | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Physiology | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-08-08T16:43:11.44+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1818153</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1818153</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Biomechanical characterization of human lung bullae using uniaxial tensile tests and CT-derived geometry-specific finite element analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yan Huang</author><author>Jianan Song</author><author>Hong Fan</author><author>Guangjian Zhao</author><author>Huaiyu Wang</author><author>Ke Wu</author><author>Danya Wang</author><author>Xiaofei Wang</author><author>Zhikang Zou</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionLung bullae are air-filled spaces with thin walls located within the lungs, and they are closely associated with spontaneous pneumothorax. However, quantitative mechanical data on human bullae and subject-specific stress analyses remain sparse.MethodsWe performed uniaxial tensile tests on surgically resected human tissues, including 39 bulla specimens and 34 parenchyma specimens, and fitted the nonlinear stress–strain curves using hyperelastic models. Rupture stress was calculated for specimens that ruptured within the gauge region, comprising 15 bulla specimens and 14 parenchyma specimens. We subsequently constructed 12 CT-derived geometry-specific finite element models of 12 bullae from 10 patients using preoperative CT images, with segmentation performed in Mimics and geometric smoothing performed in Geomagic. High-pressure loading of 110 cmH2O was simulated using shell elements for the bulla walls, and the 95th-percentile von Mises stress was used as a robust peak-stress metric.ResultsA second-order Yeoh model best captured the marked strain-stiffening behavior of both tissues. The mean ultimate tensile strength was 2.318 MPa for bulla specimens and 0.390 MPa for parenchyma specimens. In the CT-derived geometry-specific finite element models, the 95th-percentile equivalent von Mises stress ranged from 50.3 to 515.8 kPa, with a median of 106.8 kPa. Elevated stresses were consistently localized to the bulla vertex or apex, defined as the most remote convex peak with the least parenchymal tethering, rather than along the equator. Under the simulated worst-case loading, no case reached the mean experimental ultimate tensile strength of bulla tissue, although one case exceeded the minimum measured bulla ultimate tensile strength of 462 kPa.DiscussionHuman bulla tissue exhibits greater tensile strength than adjacent lung parenchyma but remains vulnerable to elevated local stresses generated by curvature and reduced parenchymal tethering at the apex. CT-derived geometry-specific finite element analysis using hyperelastic constitutive models provides a biomechanical explanation for the clinically observed apical predilection of bulla rupture.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1936355</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1936355</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Met-enkephalin modulates the stress responses of plasma concentrations of corticosterone, delta opioid receptor binding, pro-enkephalin expression, and processing in chickens]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Krystyna Pierzchała-Koziec</author><author>Colin G. Scanes</author><author>Klaudia Jaszcza</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1882484</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1882484</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Integrated single-cell and experimental validation links effector chondrocyte-associated oxidative stress to EIF6-related p47phox–NOX2 signaling in osteoarthritis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Shuai Yuan</author><author>Huirun Chen</author><author>Jiaxue Wei</author><author>Jinxian Tan</author><author>Shuai Liu</author><author>Zhenyang Fu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundOxidative stress is closely involved in osteoarthritis (OA), but the cell-type-specific oxidative stress landscape and related regulatory molecules in human cartilage remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to identify effector chondrocyte (EC)-associated oxidative stress features in OA and to prioritize candidate molecules linked to p47phox–NOX2-related ROS responses.MethodsPublic human cartilage single-cell RNA sequencing datasets were integrated to construct an OA cartilage atlas. Oxidative stress activity was evaluated using multiple scoring methods, and high oxidative stress (HOS) cells were defined according to the top 10% of integrated oxidative stress scores. Cell-state and communication features were examined using CytoTRACE and CellChat. High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis, machine learning, protein–protein interaction network analysis, summary-data-based Mendelian randomization, and molecular docking were combined to prioritize candidate genes. EIF6 and YWHAB were examined in an inflammatory EC-like model, and EIF6-associated p47phox/TGF-β responses were further assessed in DMM-induced OA mouse tissues.ResultsSingle-cell analysis identified an EC population enriched in OA cartilage. ECs showed relatively high oxidative stress activity and represented the largest component of HOS cells. The proportion of ECs among HOS cells increased in OA samples, and HOS cells were concentrated near the EC-enriched region in the UMAP space. HOS/EC-enriched populations showed broad communication with other chondrocyte populations and were associated with inflammation, stress-related signaling, and extracellular matrix remodeling pathways. Integrated computational analyses prioritized EIF6 and YWHAB as candidate molecules associated with EC-related oxidative stress. In inflammatory EC-like cells, IL-1β and TNF-α increased EIF6 and YWHAB expression. EIF6 or YWHAB knockdown attenuated IL-1β-induced p47phox and NOX2 expression and reduced ROS-related fluorescence, with EIF6 knockdown showing a stronger effect. Co-immunoprecipitation suggested altered YWHAB–p47phox interaction under inflammatory stimulation. In DMM-induced OA tissues, EIF6 knockdown reduced p47phox upregulation, whereas EIF6 overexpression increased TGF-β staining, which was partly attenuated by p47phox knockdown.ConclusionThis study identifies EC-associated oxidative stress features in OA cartilage and prioritizes EIF6/YWHAB-associated p47phox–NOX2 signaling as a candidate axis linked to inflammatory ROS-related responses and tissue-level OA responses.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1858622</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1858622</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Na/K-ATPase in the renal proximal tubule cell: classic & novel roles in sodium handling]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Kristiana Sklioutovskaya-Lopez</author><author>Maafi R. Islam</author><author>Shreya T. Mukherji</author><author>Sidney Strause</author><author>John M. Crutchley</author><author>Shuyan Sun</author><author>Marco T. Pessoa</author><author>Sandrine V. Pierre</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The cell membrane Na/K-ATPase (NKA), the archetypal P-type ATPase, is the enzymatic complex that hydrolyzes ATP to transport Na+ and K+ against their transmembrane electrochemical gradients. While it has long been known that NKAs are essential to homeostasis in animal cells, active research continues to unveil the depth and complexity of their tissue-specific functions as ion-pumps and receptors for endogenous cardiotonic steroids (eCTS). Sodium handling in the renal proximal tubule (RPT), a major regulator of systemic salt and water balance and blood pressure, is among the cell-specific NKA functions that have been the most studied to date. A rather comprehensive and integrated view of the biological pathways involved has emerged in physiological conditions and in disease states such as salt-sensitive hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Increasingly, sex-specific differences in the distribution and activity of NKA and other transporters along the nephron are reported, with functional links to differences in sodium handling and disease susceptibility. Following a brief overview of NKAs’ molecular composition and functions, this review focuses on the molecular structure, regulatory mechanisms, and classic and novel roles of NKA in the RPT, emphasizing its importance in sodium handling, blood pressure regulation, and renal disease.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1806291</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1806291</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Which exercise modality improves vascular function most in overweight or obese adults? A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Xiang Yu</author><author>Yuanfeng Liu</author><author>Canbo Wang</author><author>Zhiyuan Tan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundExercise is recommended for adults with overweight or obesity, but the comparative vascular effects of different exercise modalities remain uncertain.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials enrolling adults with overweight or obesity. PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and EBSCO SPORTDiscus were searched from inception to 31 May 2025, supplemented by Google Scholar and reference screening. Eligible interventions lasted at least 4 weeks and were classified as continuous endurance training (CET), resistance training (RT), interval training (INT), combined aerobic-resistance training (CT), or hybrid/mixed-modality programs (HYB). The primary outcome was flow-mediated dilation (FMD); secondary outcomes were pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and certainty using CINeMA.ResultsFifty-one randomized trials (2,638 participants) were included. Exercise improved FMD (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.29), reduced PWV (SMD, -0.31; 95% CI, -0.44 to -0.18), and reduced CIMT (SMD, -0.20; 95% CI, -0.36 to -0.05). In descriptive treatment-versus-control rankings, HYB had the largest FMD estimate, INT had the largest PWV reduction, and CET/CT had the largest CIMT reductions; however, these rankings were imprecise and certainty was low. FMD showed substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 87.1%). Sensitivity analyses excluding high-risk-of-bias studies and specialized cardiac or renal populations did not materially change the direction of findings.ConclusionsExercise interventions are associated with favorable vascular changes in adults with overweight or obesity. Apparent modality-specific differences should be interpreted as exploratory rather than definitive because confidence in the evidence was low and several comparisons were sparse or heterogeneous.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420251066443.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1888182</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1888182</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Cognitive risk during underwater exposure: from environmental stressors to assessment and context-aware monitoring]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Houyu Zhao</author><author>Longfei Wang</author><author>Yucheng Zhao</author><author>Nan Zhao</author><author>Shi Zhang</author><author>Yan Wang</author><author>Xuhua Yu</author><author>Yiqun Fang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Underwater exposure imposes a distinctive cognitive burden because divers must maintain performance while environmental and physiological safety margins can change rapidly. Safe performance depends on attention, psychomotor speed, executive control, working memory, spatial orientation, metacognition, and decision-making, each of which may be influenced by pressure, breathing gases, respiratory load, immersion, thermal stress, fatigue, and individual susceptibility. Evidence from recreational, technical, breath-hold, and saturation diving remains difficult to synthesize because studies differ in exposure mode, gas composition, timing, task selection, ecological validity, and operational endpoints. This narrative state-of-the-art review addresses three questions: which stressors shape cognitive risk, how risk is currently assessed, and how selected signals might contribute to future context-aware estimation without adding unsafe task burden. We describe the literature-identification strategy, define cognitive risk as a probabilistic and baseline-referenced state rather than a single test abnormality, and map vulnerable domains to operational hazards such as delayed response, navigation error, unsafe gas decisions, missed alarms, and delayed recovery. We critically evaluate behavioral tasks, CFFF, EEG/ERP, HRV, electrodermal activity, NIRS, respiratory CO2 monitoring, and wearable platforms, emphasizing feasibility, signal quality, nonspecificity, synchronization, individualized baselines, and validation against operational outcomes. Finally, we propose a staged pathway from dry chamber validation to wet-chamber or planned-pause testing and then to occupational or saturation settings. Selected physiological and behavioral signals may contribute to cognitive-risk estimation only after transparent interpretation and prospective validation against meaningful endpoints.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1900931</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1900931</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Intra-positional technical performance under different physical demands in elite football: a comparison between most demanding passage and extremely demanding passage]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zunqi Niu</author><author>Zhaoyang Wang</author><author>Yuntao Wang</author><author>Iyán Iván-Baragaño</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThis study investigated positional differences in technical performance between the Most Demanding Passage (MDP) and the Extremely Demanding Passage (EDP) in elite football. EDP was defined as the top 5% of match phases based on position-specific high-intensity running (HIR) distributions.MethodsA total of 4,102 outfield player observations from 176 Chinese Super League matches were analysed, including 3,664 MDP and 438 EDP observations. Technical indicators were compared between MDP and EDP using both bivariate statistical analysis and a Random Forest classifier combined with SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) to identify the most influential variables contributing to differences between conditions.ResultsSignificant intra-positional differences were found. Central defenders increased short-pass accuracy (p < .001, ES = 0.62) and ball-carrying distance (p = .01, ES = 0.52), while reducing long passes (p < .001, ES = –0.44). Full-backs exhibited lower long-pass volume (p < .001, ES = 0.57) and forward pass length (p < .001, ES = 0.48). Central midfielders recorded fewer successful long passes (p < .001, ES = 0.34) and more ball losses (p = .03, ES = 0.30). Forwards showed declines in lateral passing (p = .02, ES = 0.37) and individual possession time (p = .002, ES = 0.36). Wide midfielders exhibited minimal changes between conditions. The Random Forest and SHAP analysis further indicated that passing actions (e.g., short passes, long passes) and ball progression behaviours (e.g., ball carrying) were the primary contributors to distinguishing EDP from MDP across playing positions. DiscussionOverall, these results suggest that technical performance varies in a position-dependent manner under extreme physical demands, highlighting the importance of role-specific training strategies that replicate high-intensity match conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1883010</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1883010</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Heatwave exposure and gastrointestinal and liver diseases: complementary evidence from a population-based study and animal experiments]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yitian Du</author><author>Manli Wu</author><author>Haiqi Wu</author><author>Ye Wu</author><author>Cantu Fang</author><author>Luzhen Li</author><author>Huatang Zhang</author><author>Yao Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundHeatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent under climate change, yet their association with gastrointestinal (GI) and liver diseases remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the association between heatwave exposure and the prevalence of GI and liver diseases in middle-aged and older adults and to explore the biological plausibility using a heat-exposure mouse model.MethodsWe analyzed 10,409 participants from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) using 12 city-level heatwave definitions and applied multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate associations between heatwave exposure and the prevalence of GI and liver diseases. A heat exposure mouse model was further used for histopathological, biochemical, immunofluorescence, inflammatory, and gut microbiome analyses.ResultsHeatwave exposure was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal and liver diseases in middle-aged and older adults, with a sex-divergent pattern observed in subgroup analyses. Smokers also showed stronger associations between heatwave exposure and disease prevalence. In mice, heat exposure induced gastrointestinal and hepatic injury, accompanied by dysregulated metabolism, elevated ALT, AST, TNF-α, and LPS levels, reduced colonic ZO-1 expression, and marked alterations in gut microbial composition and predicted metabolic pathways.ConclusionThese findings suggest that heatwave exposure is associated with GI and liver diseases and may be related to gut microbiome dysregulation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1888004</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1888004</link>
        <title><![CDATA[SIRT6 activation relieves neuropathic pain by restoring Nrf2 signaling and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xintong Hao</author><author>Junkang Leng</author><author>Jianjun Tan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionNeuropathic pain arises from lesions or dysfunction within the somatosensory system, leading to chronic disability and scarce effective therapies. The NAD⁺-dependent deacetylase SIRT6 participates in aging and inflammatory responses, yet its involvement in neuropathic pain has remained unexplored. Using two selective SIRT6 activators—UBCS039 and MDL-800—in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI), we asked whether pharmacological SIRT6 activation could ameliorate pain behaviors and, if so, through what molecular route.MethodsCCI surgery was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and SIRT6 expression in the spinal dorsal horn was assessed post-operatively. From day 3 to day 9 after injury, rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of UBCS039 (20 mg/kg) or MDL-800 (10 mg/kg). On day 10, paw withdrawal thresholds (PWT) and paw withdrawal latencies (PWL) were measured. Spinal cord tissues were harvested for assessment of oxidative stress markers (TBARS, SOD, GSH-Px), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18), NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1), and Nrf2/HO-1 protein levels. An additional cohort received the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 (30 mg/kg) 30 minutes before each MDL-800 dose to verify pathway specificity.ResultsCCI markedly reduced SIRT6 mRNA and protein levels in the spinal dorsal horn (n=6 per group, P<0.001). Both UBCS039 and MDL-800 significantly elevated PWT and PWL (n=8, P<0.001), reduced TBARS content, restored SOD and GSH-Px activities (n=6, P<0.01), and suppressed IL-1β and IL-18 production at both transcript and protein levels. Western blotting revealed that SIRT6 activation inhibited NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved caspase-1 expression while reversing the CCI-induced decline of Nrf2 and HO-1. Co-administration of ML385 abolished these protective effects, rendering all measured parameters—including NLRP3 protein, cytokine levels, and pain thresholds—statistically indistinguishable from the untreated CCI group (P>0.05).ConclusionActivating SIRT6 dampens neuropathic pain and NLRP3 inflammasome activation by restoring Nrf2 signaling. This positions SIRT6 as a previously unrecognized therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1856143</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1856143</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Thermoregulation in hot-dry and warm-humid heat stress during cycling among males]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xiujing Zhao</author><author>Brendon P. McDermott</author><author>Cory L. Butts</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionHot-dry (HD) and warm-humid (WH) environments with equivalent wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) may be expected to produce similar physiological strain; however, previous studies have reported divergent thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses. This study compared heat storage, thermal, and cardiovascular responses between HD and WH conditions with matched WBGT during cycling. MethodsTen healthy, active, non-heat-acclimatized males completed two randomized crossover trials consisting of 60 minutes of cycling at an individualized workload corresponding to 55% of peak power output in HD (39.2°C, 30% relative humidity [RH]) and WH (34.2°C, 55% RH) conditions with equivalent WBGT (~30°C). Heat storage, dry heat loss (DHL), and evaporative heat loss (EHL) were estimated using partitional calorimetry. Rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature (Tsk), and cardiovascular responses were measured throughout the trials.ResultsNo condition differences were observed for cumulative heat storage, Tre, heart rate, blood pressure, or forearm skin blood flux (all p > .050). Tsk (HD: 36.28 ± 0.67°C, WH: 35.89 ± 0.70°C; p = .030, ηp² = .465) and EHL (HD: 450 ± 53 W, WH: 319 ± 30 W; p < .001, ηp² = .932) were greater in HD, whereas DHL was greater in WH (HD: −80 ± 25 W; WH: 48 ± 25 W; p < .001, ηp² = .950). Conclusion: Despite similar heat storage and cardiovascular strain, matched-WBGT environments altered the mechanisms of heat exchange. Thus, ambient temperature, humidity, and workload should be considered alongside WBGT when monitoring heat strain and selecting heat-mitigation strategies.ConclusionDespite similar heat storage and cardiovascular strain, matched-WBGT environments altered the mechanisms of heat exchange. Thus, ambient temperature, humidity, and workload should be considered alongside WBGT when monitoring heat strain and selecting heat-mitigation strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1909816</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1909816</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence for pathologic myopia classification based on the META-PM system: a systematic review and meta-analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Yuting Hu</author><author>Xiaoyan Wang</author><author>Yuke Ji</author><author>Yuming Chen</author><author>Ziqi Liang</author><author>Sheng Wu</author><author>Mingying Lai</author><author>Weihua Yang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) has shown considerable potential for pathologic myopia (PM) detection, yet its overall diagnostic performance under the META-PM classification framework remains uncertain.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Embase up to February 10, 2026. Studies applying deep learning models for PM classification using the META-PM system were included. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) analyses were calculated. Twelve studies were eligible for the systematic review, of which ten were included in the meta-analysis.ResultsFor referable PM detection, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93–0.97) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96–0.99), respectively. For PM classification, the pooled macro-area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) reached 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–1.00), indicating excellent overall diagnostic performance. Fagan nomogram analysis demonstrated favorable post-test probabilities across different clinical scenarios. The meta-regression identified external validation and image input resolution as significant sources of heterogeneity across studies.ConclusionOverall, AI demonstrates outstanding performance for automated PM detection and grading under the META-PM framework. Future studies should focus on multicenter external validation, prospective clinical evaluation, and integration with emerging ultra-widefield imaging technologies to facilitate real- world implementation in primary eye-care screening and risk stratification systems.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420261351134.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1871948</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1871948</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Exercise triggers integrated lipid, sphingolipid and purine metabolic alterations in midlife women]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Shamma Almuraikhy</author><author>Maha Sellami</author><author>Khaled Naja</author><author>Najeha Anwardeen</author><author>Haya Al-Sulaiti</author><author>Husam Eldin Elhag Abugabr Elhag</author><author>Mohamed A. Elrayess</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundRegular moderate physical activity helps prevent cardiometabolic diseases, yet the underlying molecular pathways, particularly in women in early to mid-adulthood, remain incompletely understood. Women aged 30–50 years undergo hormonal and metabolic transitions that may modify both cardiometabolic risk and responsiveness to exercise. This study investigated exercise-induced changes in serum metabolic signatures in women aged 30–50 years following 8 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic training (MAT).MethodThirty-nine healthy pre-menopause females (30–50 years) with a BMI of 26.5–33.5 kg/m2 completed an 8-week supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after the intervention. Serum targeted quantitative metabolic profiling and clinical traits were assessed.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed a coordinated post-exercise upregulation of dihydroceramides, glycosylceramides, ceramides, acylcarnitines (e.g., C14:2, C3-DC/C4-OH), diacylglycerols(DG 16:0_20:4, DG O-18:2_18:2),triacylglycerols, selected cholesterol esters (e.g., CE 20:3), cystine, and the nucleobase-related metabolite xanthine, alongside decreases in specific phosphatidylcholines species (PC O-30:2, PC O-28:0, PC O-30:0, PC 42:2, LPC 26:0), the amino acid serine, and CE 14:0,decrease in DG 18:1_18:1, CE 14:1, CE 14:0 and the amino acid–related metabolite cystine. Post-exercise correlation analysis identified distinct associations between metabolic profiles and clinical traits, with higher physical activity (metabolic equivalent of task, MET) positively linked to selected ceramide species (Cer d18:1/16:0, Cer d18:2/18:0).ConclusionModerate aerobic exercise in midlife women elicits a coordinated serum metabolomic response characterized by remodeling of lipid and sphingolipid pathways, increased fatty acid related mitochondrial handling, and elevated energy/redox turnover. The upregulation of dihydroceramides, glycosylceramides, ceramides, acylcarnitines, glycerolipids, cholesterol esters, and xanthine, together with reductions in specific phosphatidylcholines, cystine and serine, supports an exercise-induced “lipid sphingolipid energy stress” signature. Distinct associations of ceramide, glyceride, and purine species with MET, insulin indices, BMI, HDL, and catalase further suggest that these metabolites are promising candidate markers of exercise adaptation in midlife women.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1877336</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1877336</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Partial ischemia as molecular medicine: molecular mechanisms and clinical horizons of blood flow restriction training]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Sirui Wang</author><author>Taiwei Guo</author><author>Yating Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundBlood flow restriction (BFR) exercise combines low-intensity contractions with partial arterial inflow restriction and venous occlusion to generate a localized hypoxic, metabolite-rich milieu that activates a broad spectrum of molecular pathways.AimTo synthesize contemporary (2020–2026) evidence on the systemic molecular effects of BFR across skeletal-muscle, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, and neuromuscular systems, and to connect these mechanisms to clinical practice.ApproachNarrative review supported by a structured PubMed/Web of Science/Scopus search prioritizing randomized trials and recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Key findingsBFR engages mTORC1 signaling, myostatin suppression, satellite-cell proliferation, HIF-1α stabilization, and angiogenic gene expression to produce hypertrophic and functional outcomes broadly comparable to high-load resistance training; it elicits acute endocrine (growth hormone, IGF-1, testosterone, catecholamines) and metabolic (lactate, reactive oxygen species, AMPK) responses, together with cardiovascular, immune, and neural adaptations whose systemic clinical magnitude is modest and population-dependent. It is worth noting that the hypertrophic and signaling effects described arise from low-load contraction performed under occlusion; neither section implies an anabolic effect of passive occlusion without contraction.ConclusionBFR is a mechanistically distinct and broadly applicable modality whose clinical value depends on rigorous individualization, careful safety stratification, and continued mechanistic investigation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1886058</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1886058</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Xanthohumol and its non-estrogenic derivatives link to the gut-liver-brain axis to improve cognition in mice with diet-induced obesity]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Alexandra Alexiev</author><author>Keaton Stagaman</author><author>Kristin Kasschau</author><author>Yang Zhang</author><author>Jacob Raber</author><author>Adrian F. Gombart</author><author>Claudia S. Maier</author><author>Jan F. Stevens</author><author>Thomas J. Sharpton</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Obesity-associated cognitive decline represents a growing public health concern, yet the mechanisms linking high-fat diet (HFD) to neurological impairment remain incompletely understood. Xanthohumol (XN) and its non-estrogenic derivatives, tetrahydroxanthohumol (TXN) and α,β-dihydro-xanthohumol (DXN), improve metabolic dysfunction and cognitive impairment associated with diet-induced obesity. The mechanisms underlying these cognitive benefits remain poorly defined, but all three compounds improve glucose tolerance, spatial learning and memory in obese C57BL/6J mice. We hypothesized that the gut-liver-brain axis associates with these effects through modulation of gut microbial functional capacity and host ceramide metabolism. To test this, we integrated shotgun metagenomes with lipidomic and behavioral data from male C57BL/6J mice fed a HFD supplemented with XN, TXN, or DXN to determine (1) whether supplementation differentially alters gut metagenome functional capacity, (2) whether variation in the gut metagenome links to cognitive outcomes, and (3) whether supplementation-induced variation in the gut metagenome is associated with alterations in ceramide and bile acid levels in the liver and hippocampus. We found that microbial gene abundance was associated with spatial learning outcomes across all treatment groups, including genes involved in tryptophan metabolism. Gut microbiome composition was also linked to ceramide levels in both hepatic and hippocampal tissues, with C22 ceramide emerging as a shared biomarker. TXN supplementation additionally reduced secondary bile acids HDCA and a DCA-isomer, extending prior 16S rRNA-based findings to the level of microbial gene function. Collectively, these results are consistent with a model in which XN and its derivatives act upon the gut-liver-brain axis to improve cognition in obese mice in association with changes to gut microbial functional capacity (most notably in bile acid and ceramide metabolism, with tryptophan metabolism as a secondary observation).]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1882530</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1882530</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Urban–rural differences in BMI status, 24-hour movement guideline compliance, executive functions, and motor skills in preschool children: a cross-sectional study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mohamed Amine Ltifi</author><author>Sonia Meksi</author><author>Abdulazeem Alotaibi</author><author>Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundEarly childhood is a critical developmental period during which weight status, 24-hour movement behaviors (MB), executive functions (EF), and motor skills (MS) interact to influence long-term health and development. However, few studies have simultaneously examined these domains among preschool children in North African countries, particularly considering urban–rural differences. Therefore, this study investigated urban–rural differences in body mass index (BMI) categories, 24-hour MB, EF, and MS among Tunisian preschool children.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Tunisian preschool children. The sample included 112 children, of whom 74 were from urban areas and 38 from rural areas (50 boys and 62 girls), aged 4–5 years (mean age: 4.10 ± 0.58 years). BMI categories were defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate BMI-for-age z-scores and classify children as below normal, normal, or above normal. Twenty-four-hour MB, including physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep, were objectively assessed using accelerometers over five consecutive days. EF (inhibition and working memory) were assessed using standardized cognitive tests. Gross MS were evaluated using the Supine Timed Up and Go, One-Leg Standing Balance, Hand Grip Dynamometer, and Standing Long Jump tests, while fine MS were assessed using the 9-Hole Pegboard Test.ResultsSignificant differences between BMI categories were found for most anthropometric variables. Children with BMI above normal showed higher body weight and BMI-for-age z-scores. No significant differences were observed for accelerometer-derived MB, EF, or MS. However, BMI categories were associated with adherence to some 24-hour movement recommendations. While 76.4% met physical activity guidelines and 81.3% met sleep recommendations, only 18% adhered to all integrated guidelines.ConclusionsThese findings suggest associations between BMI categories and anthropometric differences, while no clear associations were observed with variations in MB, EF, or motor competence. Urban–rural differences in adherence to some movement recommendations suggest a potential role of environmental context in children’s daily behaviors. Given the cross-sectional and observational design, results should be interpreted with caution. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the complex interactions between weight status, MB, cognitive development, and MS in early childhood.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1892141</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1892141</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Association between the apolipoprotein B/albumin ratio and the risk of kidney stones in adults]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Leilei Ke</author><author>Haibo Qin</author><author>Fengcheng Wang</author><author>Tong Yin</author><author>Xudong Shen</author><author>Zongyao Hao</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundKidney stones are widely considered a disease closely related to systemic metabolic disorders and systemic inflammation. The apolipoprotein B to albumin ratio (ApoB/Alb ratio) is a novel comprehensive biomarker that combines atherogenic lipid levels with systemic nutritional and inflammatory status. This study integrated data from two independent cohorts to explore the association between the serum ApoB/Alb ratio and the risk of kidney stones in adults.MethodsThe Chinese single-center retrospective cohort included 741 subjects (223 kidney stone patients and 518 healthy controls) evaluated from March 2022 to September 2025. For external validation, 12,108 adult participants from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2007–2016) were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis evaluated the independent association, while restricted cubic spline (RCS) smoothing curve fitting explored the dose-response relationship.ResultsIn the Chinese cohort, the serum ApoB/Alb ratio in the kidney stone group was significantly higher than in the control group (1.92 ± 0.52 vs. 1.84 ± 0.47, P = 0.048). After adjusting for comprehensive confounding factors, an elevated ApoB/Alb ratio was identified as a significant risk factor for kidney stones (OR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.98–5.38). This significant positive association was highly consistent in the US NHANES validation cohort (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06–1.58). RCS analysis revealed a continuous positive linear dose-response relationship between the ApoB/Alb ratio and the prevalence of kidney stones in both cohorts. Furthermore, sensitivity and subgroup analyses demonstrated that this predictive value remains robust and is largely independent of traditional metabolic comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes.ConclusionAs a comprehensive indicator of lipid metabolic disorders and inflammatory/nutritional imbalance, the ApoB/Alb ratio serves as a novel, highly sensitive, and reliable biomarker for predicting kidney stone risk.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1905928</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1905928</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Identification of modifiable gait parameters predictive of simulated tibial stress-fracture risk in men and women]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Sridevi Nagaraja</author><author>Jose E. Rubio</author><author>Manivannan Subramaniyan</author><author>Junfei Tong</author><author>Michael Baggaley</author><author>W. Brent Edwards</author><author>Jaques Reifman</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveThis exploratory study investigated the ability of biomechanical gait parameters to predict and stratify simulated tibial stress-fracture (SF) risk in young, healthy adults.MethodsWe analyzed 30 modifiable gait parameters (both kinematic and kinetic) for 21 men and 20 women when they ran with external loads (0, 11.3, or 22.7 kg) and the associated tibial SF risks during a simulated 10-week basic combat training in the U.S. military. To identify informative parameters and predict SF risk of the tibia, we separately developed personalized linear mixed-effects models for men and women. To stratify the SF risk, we developed logistic regression (LR) models.ResultsOut of all the 30 parameters, ankle joint reaction force was the most predictive for both men and women, followed by hip external rotation angle for men and hip adduction moment for women. Using these parameters, LR models yielded area under the curve values of 0.81-0.95. For kinematic parameters alone, ankle dorsiflexion angle was the most predictive for both men and women, followed by hip external rotation angle for men and hip flexion angle for women. The associated LR models yielded reasonable performance for women (0.72-0.82) but weaker performance for men (0.53-0.71).ConclusionWe identified modifiable gait parameters predictive of simulated tibial SF risk in men and women and developed models based on kinematic and kinetic parameters that adequately predicted at-risk individuals. In the future, upon independent validation, this work has the potential to help identify recruits who may benefit from individualized training regimens and proactive interventions to reduce injury risk.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1866784</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1866784</link>
        <title><![CDATA[ADORA2A activation restores lysosomal function and photoreceptor outer segment degradation in stressed retinal pigment epithelium]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Daodian Tao</author><author>Daiying Zhou</author><author>Mingjuan Wu</author><author>Peiling Xie</author><author>Yunhao Zhang</author><author>Jing Bao</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves early retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction and impaired processing of photoreceptor outer segments (POS). We investigated whether ADORA2A regulates post-ingestive POS handling and lysosomal recovery under AMD-relevant stress.MethodsA2E-stressed ARPE-19 cells, primary porcine RPE cells, and a sodium iodate-induced mouse model were studied. ADORA2A was activated with CGS21680 and inhibited with ZM241385. POS handling, LC3B/Rubicon association with POS, lysosomal function, Rubicon depletion, chronic stress phenotypes, and retinal protection were assessed.ResultsA2E increased ADORA2A expression while preserving receptor-dependent cAMP responsiveness. CGS21680 had modest effects on early POS binding and uptake but enhanced post-ingestive POS clearance and rhodopsin degradation; these effects were attenuated by ZM241385 and ADORA2A knockdown. CGS21680 increased LC3B and Rubicon association with POS-containing structures, improved lysosomal acidification, and restored DQ Green BSA processing, Cathepsin D activity, and V-ATPase-associated assembly. Bafilomycin A1 increased LC3-II and p62 accumulation and impaired CGS21680-associated POS clearance, supporting lysosome-dependent turnover. Rubicon depletion attenuated CGS21680-associated improvements in POS clearance and lysosomal acidification. CGS21680 also reduced chronic stress-associated autofluorescence, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and junctional disruption. These protective effects were reproduced in primary RPE cells. In sodium iodate-injured mice, CGS21680 preserved outer retinal structure, reduced FITC-BSA leakage, improved electroretinographic responses, and was accompanied by increased CREB phosphorylation and recovery of Cathepsin D proteolytic competence.ConclusionADORA2A activation promotes Rubicon-associated, lysosome-dependent LC3 processing of internalized POS and restores lysosomal degradative competence, supporting ADORA2A as a potential therapeutic target for early AMD.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1847856</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1847856</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Load-specific post-activation performance enhancement from back squats in male collegiate basketball players: moderate loads preferentially enhance jump performance and lower-limb EMG activation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zhan Gao</author>
        <description><![CDATA[PurposeTo compare the acute effects of pre-activation with different loads of back squat on multiple jumping performances and lower limb electromyographic (EMG) activity in male collegiate basketball players, and to provide evidence for load selection and timing of pre-game warm-up activation.MethodsIn a randomized, parallel-group controlled design, 40 male collegiate basketball players meeting inclusion criteria were assigned to 70%, 80%, 90% 1RM squat groups and a control group. Each experimental group performed 3 sets × 4 repetitions of parallel back squat as a conditioning activity (CA), while the control group rested quietly. Countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), approach vertical jump (AVJ), and standing long jump (SLJ) were assessed before intervention and at 4, 8, and 12 min post-intervention. Ground reaction force and surface EMG of 8 muscles on the dominant lower limb were recorded simultaneously during CMJ and SJ. Jump height/distance, reactive strength index (RSI), elastic utilization ratio (EUR), and EMG root mean square (RMS) were calculated. A 4 (group) × 4 (time point) repeated-measures ANOVA was applied.ResultsJumping performance showed significant main effects of time under different squat loads, with peak post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) mainly occurring at 8–12 min post-CA. Compared with 90% 1RM, the 70%–80% 1RM groups exhibited more stable improvements in CMJ, SJ, AVJ, and RSI, along with more consistent within-muscle increases in normalized RMS for rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and lateral gastrocnemius (LG), with minor changes in EUR.ConclusionModerate-load back squat CA induces marked PAPE in male collegiate basketball players within a short time window, with 8–12 min being the optimal period for performance enhancement. Within the load range of this study, moderate-to-high intensity squat appears more effective than high-intensity conditions in acutely improving jumping performance and enhancing within-muscle normalized EMG responses in selected lower-limb muscles. Descriptively, considering static and reactive jump indices and EMG outcomes together, 80% 1RM showed a favorable overall response pattern in this sample, without implying direct statistical superiority over 70% 1RM These findings provide a reference for optimizing basketball-specific warm-up activation programs.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1810607</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1810607</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluating the analgesic effect of metamizole in the mouse model for DSS-induced acute colitis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>D. T. Jacob</author><author>L. M. Keubler</author><author>A. Glasenapp</author><author>K. Selke</author><author>M. Buettner</author><author>L. Wenzel</author><author>S. Buchheister</author><author>S. Lutscher</author><author>H. Bähre</author><author>M. Bankstahl</author><author>A. Bleich</author><author>C. Häger</author>
        <description><![CDATA[A commonly used mouse model of ulcerative colitis is the Dextran Sodium Sulphate (DSS) colitis model, including symptoms of weight loss, softening of stool up to diarrhea, and abdominal pain. To address 3R-refinement, we aimed to reduce severity in this model through pain therapy with metamizole. In addition to the potential analgesic effect, we investigated whether metamizole had a modulatory effect on inflammatory processes. In the study, ten-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were used. For pharmacological analysis, mice were treated with 200 mg/kg/d metamizole over 2 days to calculate baseline plasma concentration of metamizole metabolites using LC-MS/MS. After 14 days, DSS was administered via drinking water for 5 days, followed by metamizole for 2 days to determine plasma concentration. To assess disease severity and pain therapy, mice received DSS via drinking water for 5 days, controls received water only. Mice were then treated with metamizole via the drinking water for an additional 5 days, while corresponding sub-cohorts were left untreated (water+water, water+metamizole, DSS+water, DSS+metamizole). For severity assessment, changes in bodyweight, posture, stool consistency, voluntary wheel running (VWR) and Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS) were analyzed. Furthermore, colon samples were used for histology and gene expression analyses. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed significantly higher plasma concentrations of 4-methylaminoantipyrine and increased concentrations of 4-aminoantipyrine following DSS and subsequent metamizole treatment when compared to baseline. Assessing disease severity in control mice (water+water or water+metamizole-treated) demonstrated no clinical signs or changes in VWR. DSS+water and DSS+metamizole treated mice showed similar loss of body weight and clinical signs. VWR performances were decreased in DSS+water-treated mice as well as in DSS+metamizole-treated mice. There were no statistically significant differences between untreated and metamizole-treated animals with DSS-colitis. Interestingly, none of the groups showed elevated MGS scores, nor did the gene expression analyses detect relevant differences. This study showed that administering metamizole via drinking water led to detectable levels of metamizole metabolites in the plasma of treated mice. However, metamizole did not reduce disease severity or pain in this mouse model. Therefore, other refinement strategies should be explored in future studies.]]></description>
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