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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>2026-07-29T06:43:50.448+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1802487</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1802487</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Anti-inflammatory drug and prebiotics alter metabolic inflammation in fattening ground squirrels and outbred mice]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ashleigh A. Kucharski</author><author>Celine E. Brice</author><author>Noah A. Hayes</author><author>Khrystyne N. Duddleston</author><author>Courtney C. Kurtz</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Metabolic inflammation is an inflammation event that occurs during fattening driven by diet-induced changes to the microbiota leading to increased permeability of the gut barrier and infiltration of bacterial products. This triggers inflammation in the gut and distant tissues (i.e., white adipose [WAT]). We have previously shown that 13-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus), obligate hibernators, develop metabolic inflammation during their fattening season and that this inflammation can be attenuated by the gut-specific anti-inflammatory drug mesalazine. Here, we manipulated the gut immune system of ground squirrels and diversity outbred (DO) mice with mesalazine, affected the microbiota with prebiotics, or combined both together. Mesalazine, prebiotics or both were provided through the diet to squirrels starting 48 hr after emergence from hibernation, and to DO mice after receipt of a gut microbiota transplant from ground squirrels at the same timepoint. Squirrels and mice stayed on their assigned treatment for up to 8 weeks, with tissues collected from a subset of animals after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. We examined body mass, adiposity, glucose tolerance, and cytokines as markers of metabolic inflammation, hypothesizing that the combination of mesalazine and prebiotics would have the greatest effect. Body weight increased over time in all groups, whereas energy intake remained steady for mice and increased for squirrels. Adipocyte diameter increased in mesalazine/prebiotic treated squirrels over time. Glucose tolerance fluctuated over time and treatment in ground squirrels and mice, but prebiotic-treated animals tended to remain steady. In ground squirrel ileum, anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 increased over time and proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α decreased in mesalazine-treated animals. Proinflammatory IL-6 increased over time in the prebiotic treatment ground squirrels. In DO mice, IL-10 was highest in animals receiving prebiotics, with or without mesalazine. In the colon of squirrels, prebiotics decreased TNF-α and increased IL-10 levels. A similar decrease in TNF-α was seen in prebiotic-treated mice. Omental WAT cytokines did not change in any of the animals or treatments. Together, our results indicate that prebiotics and mesalazine have separate effects on metabolic inflammation, and that their additive effect is not as strong as expected.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1786484</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1786484</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Analysis of factors associated with physical activity in patients with acute pancreatitis: a cross-sectional study in China]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Lu Zheng</author><author>Shuangyan Tu</author><author>Huiling Liu</author><author>Lihong Zhao</author><author>Xianlin Zhao</author><author>Rong Yang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo assess physical activity (PA) levels and associated factors in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) in Western China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021 to June 2023 at a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province. A total of 408 adult patients with AP were enrolled. PA levels and sedentary time (ST) were assessed using the long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with PA levels.ResultsLow physical activity (LPA) was observed in 74.3% of participants. Daily ST ranged from 60 to 600 minutes, with a mean of 317.57 ± 122.42 minutes. Screen time accounted for 68.3% of sedentary behaviors. Higher PA levels were associated with shorter ST. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, biliary tract disease and three or more previous AP episodes were associated with LPA. Secondary education was associated with higher PA.ConclusionPhysical inactivity is common among AP patients. Sedentary time, NAFLD, biliary tract disease, education level, and AP recurrence are key determinants.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1853479</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1853479</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Innovative practice research of empowerment of artificial intelligence into blended teaching in exercise physiology]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jiao Cao</author><author>Miaomiao Xu</author><author>Xiongyong Zhu</author><author>Qiusheng Long</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Exercise Physiology is a core course in the physical education major at higher education institutions. In the context of the modern era, leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) to reform its teaching framework is crucial for cultivating specialized professionals and advancing quality-oriented education. Addressing three major challenges in first-year university exercise physiology instruction—complex and interconnected teaching mechanisms that hinder systematic understanding, insufficient intuitive connections between microscopic mechanisms and macroscopic manifestations, and inadequate development of creativity-driven problem-solving skills grounded in physiological principles—the study employed AI agents and related technologies to innovate teaching philosophies, content delivery, instructional processes, and assessment methods. An innovative “three-phase, six-cycle” blended learning model was implemented. After one semester of practical implementation(16 weeks), evaluation through questionnaires and exam scores demonstrated that empowerment of Artificial Intelligence into blended teaching in Exercise Physiology significantly enhanced first-year students’ critical thinking, interdisciplinary competencies, and academic performance. These findings indicated promising applications of AI in exercise physiology education. With well - designed guidance strategies and human supervision, AI agents can serve as effective teaching assistants in higher education, freeing instructors from repetitive tasks to focus on more innovative and personalized interactive instruction.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1846417</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1846417</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Respiratory pyramid interface (RPI): a conceptual three-dimensional pyramid model for visualization of lung mechanics during mechanical ventilation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Serdar Efe</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention in critically ill patients; however, the real-time integration of its key physiological determinants elastic load, resistive load, and obstructive components remains cognitively demanding at the bedside. Current monitoring approaches present these parameters in fragmented formats, which may limit rapid interpretation. The Respiratory Pyramid Interface (RPI) is a conceptual, hypothesis-generating framework that integrates the fundamental variables of respiratory mechanics flow (F), pressure (P), and volume (V) into a unified three-dimensional geometric model. Within this structure, resistive, elastic, and obstructive components are represented along the pyramid edges, while derived indices including mechanical power (MP), driving pressure (DP), static compliance (Cstat), the Pyramid Asymmetry Index (PAI), and a pressure-based surrogate of the expiratory time constant (τ_est) are dynamically mapped. The framework was demonstrated across eleven simulated pathophysiological scenarios, each producing distinct geometric patterns corresponding to specific mechanical phenotypes. Importantly, RPI does not introduce new physiological variables but offers a structured visual integration of routinely available ventilator data, intended to support hypothesis generation, education, and pattern recognition rather than to provide direct treatment guidance. Limitations of the underlying single-compartment model including regional lung heterogeneity, pendelluft, spontaneous respiratory effort, and elevated neural respiratory drive are acknowledged. Prospective validation is required before the proposed indices can be considered for clinical decision support.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1885886</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1885886</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Deep learning segmentation with uncertainty quantification for spinal tuberculosis on fat-suppressed T2-weighted MRI]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xingyu Duan</author><author>Jiaxing Wang</author><author>Linan Wang</author><author>Yichao Fan</author><author>Jiong Wang</author><author>Qianpeng Ma</author><author>Ningkui Niu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundSpinal tuberculosis is the most common extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging (FS-T2WI), is the modality of choice for preoperative evaluation; yet indistinct lesion boundaries render manual delineation subjective and poorly reproducible. Although deep learning segmentation has advanced considerably, its “black-box” nature and limited interpretability remain critical obstacles. This study aimed to develop an uncertainty-guided deep learning segmentation framework and evaluate its accuracy and clinical utility.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 210 patients with spinal tuberculosis from an initial cohort of 300 screened at three centers, and acquired preoperative FS-T2WI scans. Data from Center 1 (n = 160) were used for five-fold cross-validation, while the remaining 50 cases served as an external test set. We built an improved model on nnU-Net by integrating boundary-aware loss with Monte Carlo Dropout, and compared it against U-Net, Attention U-Net, and TransUNet. The uncertainty threshold was determined through internal cross-validation, and clinical validation followed a within-subject crossover design involving nine physicians.ResultsOn the external test set, the improved model achieved a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.858 and an AUC of 0.912, outperforming all comparative models. Uncertainty correlated strongly and positively with pixel-level error rates (Spearman ρ = 0.74). At a threshold of 0.52, sensitivity for identifying unreliable segmentation was 84.3% and negative predictive value was 89.5%. In the physician validation, overlaying uncertainty maps significantly increased trust scores (3.8 ± 0.7 vs. 3.2 ± 0.8; P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.80) and reduced review time (P = 0.018), with the greatest benefit observed among resident physicians. In cases of obvious AI failure, uncertainty alerts accurately flagged erroneous regions in 80.0% of instances.ConclusionThe proposed uncertainty-guided framework improved spinal tuberculosis lesion segmentation accuracy. Pixel-level uncertainty maps reliably identified unreliable predictions and enhanced clinician trust, offering a robust AI decision-support tool for precise surgical planning.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1892370</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1892370</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Acute caffeine supplementation and resistance exercise performance in female participants: a systematic review and three-level meta-analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Li Liang</author><author>Ming Chen</author><author>Bo Qi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Background and objectivesCaffeine is a widely studied ergogenic aid, but evidence for its acute effects on resistance exercise performance is primarily derived from male or mixed-sex samples, with scarce data specific to women. Previous women-specific syntheses did not model the multiple dependent outcomes extracted from the same crossover trial, which may have produced overly narrow uncertainty estimates.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus and Cochrane Library were systematically searched through 26 April 2026 to include randomized, placebo-controlled trials testing acute, dose-defined caffeine before resistance exercise in female participants or independently extractable female subgroups. Effect sizes were paired Hedges’ g and were synthesized separately for six outcome domains using three-level random-effects models with cluster-robust variance estimation: maximal strength, muscular endurance, movement speed, functional strength, functional endurance, and total load. 95% confidence intervals and prediction intervals were reported, and RoB 2 and GRADE were used to assess risk of bias and certainty of evidence.ResultsA total of 24 studies were included (23 of which were included in the quantitative synthesis, with 107 effect sizes). Maximal strength showed a small mean effect (g = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.29; low GRADE); muscular endurance showed a larger mean effect (g = 0.54, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.02; low GRADE), but its wide prediction interval and influence diagnostics indicated low reproducibility across protocols; movement speed showed a small, model-based estimate, but cluster-robust inference was uncertain because only three study clusters were available (g = 0.13; CR2 p = 0.072; very low GRADE). The study clusters for functional strength, functional endurance, and total load were too small and were not pooled for inference, so these domains are summarized descriptively. Meta-regressions of caffeine dosage, mean age of participants, and resistance load did not identify reliable moderation.ConclusionAcute caffeine may slightly improve maximal strength and may benefit muscular endurance in some protocols, but the certainty of evidence is low or very low for most outcomes and prediction intervals indicate limited reproducibility. Current evidence therefore does not support strong recommendations by dosage, age, resistance load, menstrual cycle phase, hormonal status, or habitual caffeine intake. Future trials should report menstrual cycle phase, hormonal contraceptive use, menopausal status, habitual caffeine intake, adverse symptoms, sleep disturbance, blinding integrity, washout duration, and paired/change-score data with within-participant correlations.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/2msf6/overview, identifier 10.17605/OSF.IO/2MSF6.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1856233</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1856233</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Podocyte-specific acid sphingomyelinase overexpression promotes gasdermin D dependent pyroptosis by impairing autophagic flux during obesity]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Dandan Huang</author><author>Yao Zou</author><author>Ethan Chan</author><author>Jason M. Kidd</author><author>Xiaoyuan Wu</author><author>Yang Zhang</author><author>Todd W.B. Gehr</author><author>Ningjun Li</author><author>Pin-Lan Li</author><author>Guangbi Li</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Recent studies suggest that gasdermin D (GSDMD) pore formation contributes to inflammasome-mediated cytokine release and pyroptosis in podocytes under pathological conditions. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating GSDMD pore formation in these cells remain unclear. Given the established role of the lysosomal acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)–ceramide pathway in obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG), we investigated whether ASM regulates obesity-induced GSDMD pore formation and pyroptosis in podocytes, thereby influencing the progression of ORG. We found that podocyte-specific Smpd1 (the gene encoding ASM) overexpression markedly enhanced high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, GSDMD N-terminal fragment (GSDMD-NT) generation, and pyroptosis in glomeruli of Smpd1trg/Podocre mice compared to wild-type controls. Pharmacological inhibition of ASM or the NLRP3 inflammasome attenuated these pathological changes in obese mice. In contrast, inhibition of GSDMD pore formation with disulfiram (DIS) prevented HFD-induced pyroptosis without affecting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Consistently, obesity-induced podocyte injury and glomerulosclerosis were exacerbated by ASM overexpression but alleviated by inhibition of ASM, the NLRP3 inflammasome, or GSDMD pore formation. Using primary podocytes isolated from wild-type, Smpd1 knockout (Smpd1-/-), and Smpd1trg/Podocre mice, we further demonstrated that palmitic acid (PA), an obesity-associated lipotoxic factor, induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, GSDMD pore formation, inflammasome product release, and pyroptosis. These responses were suppressed by Smpd1 deletion but enhanced by ASM overexpression. Confocal and super-resolution microscopy revealed that PA increased the accumulation of autophagosomes containing GSDMD-NT while impairing lysosome–autophagosome fusion, effects that were mitigated by Smpd1 deletion and amplified by ASM overexpression. To further elucidate the underlying mechanism, we examined whether ASM regulates lysosomal TRPML1 channel-mediated Ca2+ release, thereby controlling lysosome–autophagosome interaction and GSDMD-NT degradation. PA inhibited TRPML1 channel activity in podocytes, an effect that was intensified by ASM overexpression. Furthermore, PA-induced impairment of lysosome–autophagosome interaction and increased GSDMD pore formation were attenuated by the TRPML1 agonist ML-SA5 and exacerbated by the TRPML1 inhibitor ML-SI1. Collectively, these findings indicate that ASM regulates lysosomal function and autophagic degradation of GSDMD-NT, thereby controlling GSDMD pore formation and pyroptosis in podocytes during ORG.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1860201</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1860201</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Postoperative perfusion volume on territorial arterial spin labeling provides an exploratory risk signal for cerebrovascular autoregulation failure after moyamoya revascularization: a prospective physiological study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zening Yang</author><author>Zhizhao Ma</author><author>Baogen Pan</author><author>Lijie Liu</author><author>Yeju He</author><author>Yankai Wu</author><author>Shiyuan Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundCerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) after revascularization for moyamoya disease (MMD) represents a failure of cerebrovascular autoregulation—a system-level vascular physiological process. Non-invasive tools to quantify autoregulatory reserve and support early risk stratification remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate whether postoperative perfusion volume measured by territorial arterial spin labeling (tASL) provides an exploratory risk signal for cerebrovascular autoregulation failure after MMD revascularization and to identify candidate physiological factors associated with this complication.MethodsThis prospective cohort study enrolled 116 adult MMD patients who underwent combined revascularization (suprasylvian approach, n=60; infrasylvian approach, n=56). All patients underwent 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) preoperatively and postoperatively, and tASL on postoperative day 1. Postoperative perfusion volume and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) were quantified. Firth’s penalized multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate candidate factors associated with autoregulation failure (CHS) while avoiding statistical overfitting due to rare events (13 CHS cases). Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined exploratory threshold values. CHS was diagnosed contemporaneously during hospitalization by integrating new neurological symptoms, blood-pressure/hemodynamic context, and ASL evidence of focal postoperative hyperperfusion.ResultsIn the Firth penalized multivariable model, hypertension and Stage IV angiographic disease were associated with postoperative CHS, while Stage V showed a positive but statistically imprecise estimate. Age and tASL-derived postoperative perfusion volume showed exploratory ROC signals, with cutoffs of 61 years and 104.45 cm³, respectively. The suprasylvian approach showed a numerically higher early CHS rate than the infrasylvian approach (16.7% vs. 5.4%; Fisher exact P = 0.077), while showing higher regional CBF at postoperative day 30 and lower postoperative mRS scores at POD30. The low overall CHS incidence (13/116, 11.2%) should be interpreted in the context of standardized inpatient monitoring and active postoperative blood-pressure management.ConclusionQuantitative tASL perfusion volume provides a non-invasive, exploratory physiological marker of postoperative cerebrovascular autoregulatory stress after MMD revascularization. In this cohort, the suprasylvian approach was associated with greater POD30 CBF improvement and lower POD30 mRS scores, but also a numerically higher early CHS rate; these findings should be interpreted as early postoperative associations rather than evidence of long-term surgical superiority. The 104.45 cm³ tASL threshold requires internal and external validation before it can be used as a stand-alone clinical decision rule.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1758850</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1758850</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Investigation of the impact of pressurization coupled with eccentric resistance training on the explosive strength of the lower limbs in male college students specializing in sprinting]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mengqi Liu</author><author>Ruipeng Zhang</author><author>Xiaocong Yan</author><author>Wenyan Zhao</author><author>Keyi Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study examined the impact of eccentric exercise (ECC) training combined with blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on explosive power in the lower extremities. Sixteen collegiate sprinters were randomly allocated into two groups: the BFRT group, comprising eight male participants, and the ECC group, also consisting of eight men. Participants in the ECC group engaged in eccentric exercises thrice weekly for a duration of six weeks. Alongside the ECC training, participants in the BFRT group had a pressure cuff positioned on the proximal thigh, sustaining a pressure of 150 mmHg. Assessments were performed before and after training to examine hip joint strength, physical fitness (assessed through a 30-meter sprint and vertical jump), anaerobic capacity, and lower limb circumference. The findings indicated that both the ECC and BFRT groups displayed notable enhancements in the isokinetic strength of the hip extensors, with the BFRT group achieving superior results relative to the ECC group. Moreover, BFRT was observed to improve muscle strength on the non-dominant side, consequently diminishing strength asymmetry between both sides. Both training methods enhanced the leaping ability and speed of the collegiate sprinters; however, the BFRT group demonstrated superior efficacy in improving jumping performance. Furthermore, both groups enhanced anaerobic ability and the limb circumference of the lower limb muscles, with BFRT demonstrating more significant advantages than ECC alone. The data indicate that the regular integration of ECC training with BFRT results in superior improvements in lower limb explosiveness, anaerobic capacity, and muscular circumference compared to ECC training performed alone.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1901566</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1901566</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Addendum: A framework for heart-lung interaction and its application to prone position in the acute respiratory distress syndrome]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Addendum</category>
        <author>Jon-Emile S. Kenny</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1920572</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1920572</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Quantitative assessment of fetal lung development using MRI-based radiomics: a comparative analysis of 3D and 2D approaches with external validation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yaoxi Jiang</author><author>Pan Xiao</author><author>Song Peng</author><author>Weidong Fang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveFetal lung development is a critical determinant of neonatal health. This study aimed to externally validate and compare the performance of 3D versus 2D MRI radiomics models in quantifying fetal lung development. Gestational age estimation was utilized as a quantitative surrogate marker for this assessment in a large multi-institutional cohort with an independent test set.MethodsTo compare 2D versus 3D radiomics, we analyzed 292 fetal MRI scans using T2-weighted coronal images. The cohort comprised an original dataset (n=252) and an independent test set (n=40) from two institutions, with gestational ages ranging from 28 to 38+6 weeks. For each case, 102 radiomics features were extracted from manually segmented 2D (tracheal bifurcation plane) and 3D (entire lung) regions of interest (ROIs). Gestational age estimation models were developed using support vector regression (SVR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) and validated via regression metrics. Furthermore, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to evaluate the correspondence between 2D and 3D radiomic measurements.ResultsFeatures extracted from 3D ROIs exhibited superior performance for gestational age estimation, achieving Pearson correlation coefficients (r) of 0.904 (SVR) and 0.902 (PLSR) in the original dataset, and 0.846 (SVR) and 0.861 (PLSR) in the independent test set. In contrast, 2D ROI-based models showed significantly lower accuracy. The median ICCs for the correspondence between 2D and 3D radiomic measurements were 0.379 (IQR: 0.179–0.554; range: 0.010–0.880) in the original dataset and 0.247 (IQR: 0.060–0.384; range: −0.024–0.721) in the test set.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that 3D MRI radiomics features outperform 2D features for gestational age estimation, serving as a quantitative surrogate for fetal lung development. These findings underscore the clinical potential of 3D radiomics in non-invasive prenatal assessment. Future studies incorporating larger cohorts and standardized imaging protocols are encouraged to further enhance the model’s robustness and clinical utility.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1841598</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1841598</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Attenuation of short-term autonomic cardiovascular responses with advancing gestational age]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Manfred G. Moertl</author><author>Federica Piani</author><author>Helmut K. Lackner</author><author>Miha Lučovnik</author><author>Ivan Žebeljan</author><author>Adrian Mahlmann</author><author>Dejan Dinevski</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionPregnancy induces profound cardiovascular adaptations, including changes in vascular resistance, cardiac output, and heart rate, which are partly regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Although a shift toward reduced parasympathetic activity has been reported, the longitudinal evolution of autonomic function and its responsiveness to physiological stressors across gestation remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to characterize trimester-specific changes in autonomic regulation and reactivity.MethodsIn this prospective longitudinal cohort, 67 healthy pregnant women were evaluated during the first (T1), second (T2), and third (T3) trimesters. Continuous cardiovascular monitoring was performed during a standardized protocol including rest, paced breathing, and a cognitive task. Heart rate variability, blood pressure, and phase synchronization indices were analysed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (Time × Phase).ResultsHeart rate increased across gestation, while blood pressure showed a mid-pregnancy nadir. Indices of vagal modulation declined from T1 to T3, whereas overall variability remained unchanged. No effect of gestational age was observed for sympathovagal balance, but significant Time × Phase interactions indicated attenuation of autonomic reactivity. Both vagal responses to paced breathing and sympathetic responses to cognitive stress were reduced in late pregnancy. Similarly, indices of cardio-respiratory and cardiovascular coupling showed phase-dependent changes, with reduced synchronization during paced breathing in T3.DiscussionOur findings suggest that autonomic regulation during pregnancy is characterized by preserved responsiveness but reduced modulation. The decline in vagal activity, together with attenuated reactivity and reduced cardio-respiratory coupling, suggests reduced autonomic flexibility. These findings outline autonomic trajectories in healthy pregnancy that may serve as a normative reference against which early deviations could be examined in future studies on pregnancy-associated cardiovascular complications.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1849630</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1849630</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Oxygen regulation in the earliest animals: spatiotemporal resolution of oxygen dynamics in single-osculum Halichondria panicea and Haliclona rosea sponges]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Lars Kumala</author><author>Malte Thomsen</author><author>Donald E. Canfield</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Sponges regulate internal water flow and oxygen distribution through contractile behavior, yet the mechanisms governing spatio-temporal oxygen dynamics remain poorly understood. Resolving these dynamics in sponges is crucial for understanding sponge host-microbiome interactions, tissue homeostasis and growth. We applied 2-D luminescence lifetime imaging of oxygen to unveil temporal as well as spatial oxygen dynamics in single-osculum explants of two demosponges: Halichondria panicea and Haliclona rosea. Our study reveals intrinsic deoxygenation in explants during episodes of osculum contraction generating an oxygen gradient with increasing concentrations towards the explant periphery. Furthermore, time-lapse oxygen imaging uncovered contrasting spatio-temporal patterns of internal O2 distribution in the examined individuals of the two species. Four explants of H. panicea faced periodic and consistent episodes of internal oxygen drawdowns and centralized anoxia, followed by reoxygenation. Periods of internal anoxia persisted for up to 4.5 h of the total 92.1-hour observation period. Conversely, two H. rosea explants displayed versatile deoxygenation patterns, including recurring, propagating waves of oxygen reduction, with relatively few areas experiencing anoxia over the course of the 70.6-hour observation period. The observed oxygen dynamics indicate that filter-feeding sponges may employ distinct behavior to actively regulate their internal oxygenation. We suggest that spatiotemporal oxygen regulation may represent an ancestral trait that emerged in early diverging metazoans, and possibly in response to increasing levels of atmospheric oxygen.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1896020</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1896020</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Chlorogenic acid inhibits intestinal lipid uptake and promotes adipose lipid catabolism via epithelium-derived exosomes in ob/ob mice]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yongwang Yan</author><author>Yifang Zhou</author><author>Di Wang</author><author>Xu Zhou</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Chlorogenic acid has been widely reported to regulate lipid metabolism and alleviate obesity; however, its effects on intestinal lipid uptake and adipose tissue catabolism, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain incompletely understood. In the present study, diabetic ob/ob mice were treated with chlorogenic acid, which significantly improved metabolic parameters, including body weight, serum triglyceride levels, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity. Notably, chlorogenic acid reduced intestinal lipid content and downregulated the expression of genes involved in lipid transportation. Concurrently, epididymal adipose tissue weight was decreased, accompanied by enhanced expression of genes associated with lipid catabolism. Mechanistically, chlorogenic acid decreased triglyceride level and suppressed PPARγ protein expression in IPEC-J2 cells. Activation of PPARγ attenuated the inhibitory effects of chlorogenic acid on lipid accumulation, indicating a critical role of PPARγ signaling. In addition, chlorogenic acid altered the concentration of epithelial cell–derived exosomes. These exosomes reduced triglyceride levels and modulated the expression of lipid metabolism–related genes in 3T3-L1 cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that chlorogenic acid may exert metabolic benefits, at least in part, through a coordinated intestine–adipose axis and provide preliminary evidence supporting a potential role for exosome-mediated inter-organ communication in the regulation of lipid homeostasis.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1912029</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1912029</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Women in avian physiology 2025]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Sandra G. Velleman</author><author>Krystyna Pierzchala-Koziec</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1818421</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1818421</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Resynchronisation efficacy of pacing strategies depends on the assessment metric: a computational study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mohammadreza Kariman</author><author>Christoph M. Augustin</author><author>Gernot Plank</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundCurrent evaluation of ventricular resynchronisation relies largely on ECGbased metrics, which do not fully capture the complexity of electrical synchrony. Reliance on a single clinical metric provides limited insight into the restoration of the intrinsic physiological activation sequence. To address this, we employed high-fidelity computational simulations using a multiple-metrics framework to mechanistically compare established pacing strategies.MethodsA high-resolution, anatomically and biophysically detailed four-chamber human model was used to compare the resynchronisation efficacy of conduction system pacing and biventricular pacing under focal bundle branch block. Outcomes were evaluated using: (1) ECG markers (QRS duration, Hisio-ventricular interval, V6-V1 interpeak interval, V6 R-wave peak time); (2) high-density activation maps; and (3) ventricular activation velocity, a novel metric of depolarisation dynamics.ResultsSimulation results showed that pacing efficacy depended on the chosen metric. biventricular pacing improved ECG markers (e.g., QRS 120 to 90 ms) and activation velocity, but activation maps deviated most from physiological patterns. conduction system pacing produced maps resembling normal sinus rhythm, though velocity profiles showed residual dyssynchrony, highlighting that improvement on one metric did not guarantee improvement on another.ConclusionThese findings show that pacing efficacy depends on the evaluation metric and that single-metric assessment cannot capture the complex dynamics of ventricular resynchronisation. Patient-specific computational modelling offers a promising approach for non-invasive, multi-modal in silico evaluation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1904857</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1904857</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Phase angle identifies a muscle quality phenotype associated with physical performance in U.S. marines]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Adam W. Potter</author><author>Christy L. Christopoulos</author><author>Karl E. Friedl</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveTo evaluate whether phase angle (PhA) provides physiological information beyond DXA-derived body composition for explaining physical performance in active-duty U.S. Marines.MethodsWe analyzed data from 2,177 active-duty U.S. Marines with bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and standardized physical performance testing. Phase angle was expressed in degrees and standardized within sex to define Phase Angle Muscle Quality (PhA-MQ) quartiles. Outcomes included Physical Fitness Test (PFT), Combat Fitness Test (CFT), estimated VO2max, and performance normalized to lean mass. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for DXA-derived fat-free mass index (FFMI), percent body fat (%BF), age, and sex were used to assess independent associations. Incremental explanatory value was quantified using change in R2 (ΔR2) and partial R2. Nonlinear associations were examined using spline models.ResultsPhysical performance increased progressively across PhA-MQ quartiles, with the greatest separation observed for lean-mass–normalized outcomes. Across PhA quartiles, mean PFT scores increased from 236 to 271 points; while CFT scores increased from 240 to 272 points. In adjusted models, PhA remained independently associated with PFT (ΔR2 = 0.013, p < 0.001) and CFT (ΔR2 = 0.006, p<0.001). Stronger effects were observed for performance efficiency measures, including PFT per kg lean mass (ΔR2 = 0.020; partial R2 = 0.055) and CFT per kg lean mass (ΔR2 = 0.012; partial R2 = 0.051). In contrast, associations with VO2max were minimal and not statistically significant (p = 0.088). Joint models demonstrated that PhA retained independent explanatory value alongside FFMI and %BF, particularly for lean-mass–normalized outcomes. Continuous spline analyses supported monotonic relationships between PhA and performance.ConclusionsPhase angle identifies a physiological phenotype associated with enhanced physical performance independent of DXA-derived body composition. These findings support phase angle as a marker of muscle quality-related physiological status rather than a direct measure of muscle quality.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1828654</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1828654</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The effects of 8-week wearable resistance training on neuromuscular adaptations in soccer players]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Bo Tang</author><author>Mingyue Hou</author><author>Rui Yang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[PurposeAlthough wearable resistance training (WRT) has been shown to enhance athletic performance, the underlying neuromuscular and morphological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of an 8-week in-season WRT program on physical performance and neuromuscular adaptations in collegiate soccer players.MethodsThirty highly trained male soccer players were stratified and randomly assigned to a WRT group (n = 15; age: 22.8 ± 2.9 years; height: 180.1 ± 6.2 cm; body mass: 76.1 ± 7.4 kg; 2% body mass load distributed on the lower limbs) or a control group (CON, n = 15; age: 22.2 ± 3.3 years; height: 178.7 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 74.3 ± 6.5 kg; unloaded placebo garments). Participants completed three weekly intervention sessions over an 8-week period, integrated into their regular technical-tactical training. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included 10-m and 30-m sprint times, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, 5–0–5 change-of-direction (COD) time, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, knee extensor isometric rate of force development (RFD), normalized vastus lateralis RMS amplitude, and ultrasound-derived vastus lateralis architecture (muscle thickness and pennation angle).ResultsMixed-design ANOVA revealed that the WRT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than CON in 10-m (Cohen’s d = -1.18, p = 0.025) and 30-m sprint times (d = -0.85, p = 0.016), CMJ height (+10.97%, p < 0.001), and 5–0–5 COD performance (d = -0.95, p = 0.027). Importantly, WRT elicited a significant increase in RFD (+7.95%, d = 1.08, p = 0.049). However, no significant group × time interactions were observed for MVC, sEMG amplitude, or muscle morphology (all p > 0.05). Session-RPE training loads did not differ between groups.ConclusionLow-load WRT (2% body mass) is an effective modality for enhancing multidirectional explosive performance. The increase in RFD without concomitant changes in maximal strength or muscle morphology suggests that these functional gains are primarily driven by early-phase neural adaptations rather than structural hypertrophy. Practically, WRT represents a time-efficient in-season micro-dosing strategy that may augment explosiveness without significantly increasing perceived internal training load.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1847163</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1847163</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The effect of an 8-week Life Kinetics exercise program on salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and ımmunoglobulin-A in U14 female cross-country skiers]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mehmet Emin Yelken</author><author>Burcu Sıla Sezer</author><author>Sezgin Hepsert</author><author>Hakan Küçüksayan</author><author>Nisanur Canikli Temel</author><author>Göktuğ Mugan</author><author>Umut Yılmaz</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an 8-week Life Kinetics exercise program on salivary biomarkers (α-amylase, cortisol, and immunoglobulin-A) in U14 female cross-country skiers.MethodsA total of 20 female cross-country skiers volunteered to participate in this study. The study was designed as a pre-/post-test controlled experimental study, and adolescent individuals were randomly assigned to either the cross-country skiing (control; n = 10) or cross-country skiing + Life Kinetics groups (experimental; n = 10). The control group participated in cross-country skiing training for 45 min, 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. The experimental group participated in Life Kinetics exercises in addition to the control group’s exercises. Pre-test and post-test saliva measurements were taken before and after the 8-week protocols.ResultsNo significant group, time, or group × time interaction effects were observed for salivary cortisol levels (p > 0.05). For α-amylase, a significant group effect was detected (p = 0.003), whereas neither the time effect nor the group × time interaction reached statistical significance (p > 0.05). For sIgA, the group × time interaction was significant (p = 0.003), while the main effects of group and time were not significant (p > 0.05). The experimental group demonstrated an increase in sIgA levels from pre- to post-intervention, whereas the sIgA levels decreased in the control group.ConclusionThe present findings indicate that the 8-week Life Kinetics intervention did not produce significant changes in salivary cortisol levels, suggesting no evidence of altered chronic stress regulation in adolescent female skiers. Although a significant group × time interaction was observed for sIgA, the overall findings should be interpreted cautiously. Taken together, the results suggest that Life Kinetics training was well tolerated from a physiological stress perspective, while further studies with larger sample sizes, longer intervention periods, and repeated biomarker assessments are needed to better clarify its effects on stress- and immune-related responses.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1890637</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1890637</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Optic nerve sheath diameter increases during 12◦ head-down tilt in healthy volunteers: a crossover pilot study informing the design of a spaceflight countermeasure trial]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Andrej Bergauer</author><author>Janez Urevc</author><author>Bianca Steuber</author><author>Karin Schmid–Zalaudek</author><author>Vid Pivec</author><author>Nandu Goswami</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundSpaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is hypothesized to arise from a headward fluid shift that elevates intracranial pressure and distends the optic nerve sheath. Head-down tilt (HDT) is the ground-based analog of microgravity, and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by transorbital B-mode ultrasound is a candidate non-invasive marker of intracranial pressure. Before a definitive trial in which lower body negative pressure (LBNP) is added to 12◦ HDT as a putative countermeasure, we conducted a pilot study to (i) confirm that 12◦ HDT detectably elevates ONSD with a high-frequency linear probe, (ii) identify the time of peak response, (iii) optimize the measurement schedule, and (iv) provide effect-size estimates for powering.MethodsEight healthy young participants (4 women, 4 men; mean age 30.9 years) underwent two conditions in a randomized, balanced two-period crossover with a 14-day washout: supine (0◦ HDT) and 12◦ HDT. Bilateral transorbital B-mode ultrasound was recorded with a 17-MHz linear probe (Philips iU22) at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 min. Five frames per clip were measured offline and averaged across both eyes. The primary analysis was a 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA (Condition × Time) with Greenhouse–Geisser correction. Posthoc paired comparisons at each time point used Bonferroni adjustment. Gender was examined in a secondary mixed model.ResultsThe Condition × Time interaction was highly significant (pGG< 0.001). ONSD did not differ between conditions up to 60 min but was larger under 12◦ HDT from 90 min onward, peaking at 150 min with a mean increment of 0.79 mm (95% CI 0.62–0.97), then partially regressing. No gender effect was detected, and baseline ONSD did not differ between visits, consistent with adequate washout.ConclusionA 12◦ HDT exposure of ≥ 90 min produces a reproducible, large-magnitude ONSD increase peaking at 150 min in healthy adults; a 0–180 min measurement window is sufficient. These data support a full three-arm crossover trial of LBNP as a candidate countermeasure, with graduated lower-limb compression included as a mechanistic positive control to verify that headward fluid redistribution is the aggravating factor.]]></description>
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