AJP-Heart and Circulatory Physiology Podcast

Catalase Overexpression Prevents Mechanical Changes in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Biomedical engineering, animal models of human disease, and potential long-term public health risk factors converge in our latest podcast on the article by Maiellaro-Rafferty et al. Listen as Associate Editor Ivor Benjamin, senior author W. Robert Taylor (Emory University), and leading expert Neal Weintraub (University of Cincinnati) discuss preventing the pathological mechanical changes underlying abdominal aortic aneurysm formation. Kathryn Maiellaro-Rafferty, Daiana Weiss, Giji Joseph, William Wan, Rudolph L. Gleason, Jr., and W Robert Taylor.Catalase overexpression in aortic smooth muscle prevents pathological mechanical changes underlying abdominal aortic aneurysm formation Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published online ahead of print May 6, 2011; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00040.2011.

Autonomic Regulation of Heart in Spontaneous Hydronephrosis

A cautionary tale for cardiovascular researchers unfolds as Associate Editor Nancy Kanagy talks with authors Debra Diz (Wake Forest University) and Amy Arnold (Vanderbilt University), as well as leading expert Karie Scrogin (Loyola University Chicago), about spontaneous hydronephrosis which this study reveals is associated with decreased baroreflex sensitivity. What presents as a very common, and apparently benign, renal abnormality appears to cause a potential complication in central regulation of blood pressure. Amy C. Arnold, Hossam A. Shaltout, Shea Gilliam-Davis, Nancy D. Kock, and Debra I. Diz. Autonomic Regulation of Heart in Spontaneous Hydronephrosis Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published ahead of print April 1, 2011; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.01263.2010.

Myosin head orientation: a structural determinant for the Frank-Starling relationship

Collaborative studies that combine non-crystalline x-ray diffraction with muscle mechanics provide important insights into the mechanism of the classic Frank-Starling relationship. Editor in Chief William C. Stanley and leading expert Richard L. Moss (University of Wisconsin) interview co-authors Pieter de Tombe (Loyola University Chicago) and Thomas Irving (Illinois Institute of Technology) about their innovative research collaboration and their quest to manipulate the contractile state of myofilaments, with implication for the failing heart. Gerrie P Farman, David Gore, Edward J Allen, Kelly Q Schoenfelt, Thomas C. Irving, and Pieter P. de Tombe. Myosin head orientation: a structural determinant for the Frank-Starling relationship. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published ahead of print April 1, 2011; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.01221.2010.

Differential vascular dysfunction in insulin resistance

Two things are clear—there is a global epidemic in obesity, and physical exercise is an effective means to combat it. Listen as Editor in Chief William C. Stanley and expert Robert Hester(University of Mississippi) interview lead author Shawn Bender (University of Missouri, Columbia). Bender and co-authors followedinsulin resistance in genetically obese rats. After spontaneous and vigorous periodic exercise, Bender et al recorded a normalization of body fat, reduction in glucose, and a decreased insulin resistance. Shawn B. Bender, Sean C. Newcomer, and M. Harold Laughlin. Differential vulnerability of skeletal muscle feed arteries to dysfunction in insulin resistance: impact of fiber type and daily activity. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 300: H1434-H1441, 2011.

Local and systemic actions of cardiac myostatin

What is the role of myostatin in the heart? Listen to our latest podcast on the Review article by Breitbart et al, as Editor in Chief William C. Stanley and Associate Editor Gary Lopaschuk interview lead author Joerg Heineke (University of Hannover, School of Medicine) to find out how and why myostatin puts the breaks on muscle growth. Astrid Breitbart, Mannix Auger-Messier, Jeffery D Molkentin, and Joerg Heineke. Myostatin from the heart: local and systemic actions in cardiac failure and muscle wasting. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol; published ahead of print March 18, 2011, doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00200.2011.

Phospholemman, NA+/CA2+ exchanger, and cardiac contractility

In our latest podcast we present the article by Wang et al., which explores regulation of sodium-calcium exchange by phospholemman and the possible role of that in cardiac stress responses (such as fight-or-flight). Associate Editor W. Gil Wier moderates a discussion with renowned expert Donald M. Bers (University of California-Davis) and lead author Joseph Y. Cheung (Thomas Jefferson University), who examinethis innovative study and ponder the way to pin down the role of phospholemman at the molecular level. JuFang Wang, Erhe Gao, Joseph Rabinowitz, Jianliang Song, Xue-Qian Zhang, Walter J. Koch, Amy L. Tucker, Tung O. Chan, Arthur M. Feldman, and Joseph Y.Cheung. Regulation of in vivo cardiac contractility by phospholemman:role of Na+/Ca2+ exchange. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 300: H859-H868, 2011.

Cerebrovascular function, oxidative stress, and learning capacities

Drinking green tea is linked to protecting cerebrovascular blood flow and learning capabilities in an exciting new study by Drouin et al. Listen in as Associate Editor Nancy Kanagy interviews lead author Eric Thorin (University of Montreal, Montreal Heart Institute Research Center) and expert Frank Faraci (University of Iowa) in a lively discussion of this ground-breaking research. Annick Drouin, Virginie Bolduc, Nathalie Thorin-Trescases, Élisabeth Bélanger, Priscilla Fernandes, Edward Baraghis, Frédéric Lesage, Marc-Antoine Gillis, Louis Villeneuve, Edith Hamel, Guylaine Ferland, and Eric Thorin. Catechin treatment improves cerebrovascular flow-mediated dilation and learning abilities in atherosclerotic mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 300: H1032-H1043 2011.

Low-level alpha-MHC expression in pig myocardium

We get right to the point in our latest podcast discussing the elegant study by Locher et al in our March 2011 issues of AJP-Heart and Circ. Senior Associate Editor David Kass moderates a meaningful conversation with lead author Richard Moss, first author Matthew Locher (both of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison) and expert Henk Granzier (University of Arizona, Tucson) to provide our readers with thoughtful commentary and spot-on analysis of this important article. Matthew R. Locher, Maria V. Razumova, Julian E. Stelzer, Holly S. Norman, and Richard L. Moss. Effects of low-level α-myosin heavy chain expression on contractile kinetics in porcine myocardium. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 300: H869-H878, 2011.

Nitric oxide, prostanoids, and oxygen consumption in the human skeletal muscle

Another exciting installment in our AJP-Heart and Circ podcast series takes us to the icy climes of Finland to discuss the article by Heinonen et al regarding NO regulation of muscle blood flow and metabolism using heroic PET studies. Joining our Editor in Chief William C. Stanley is lead author Ilkka Heinonen (University of Turku, Finland) and expert Michael Joyner (Mayo Clinic). Heinonen Ilkka, Saltin Bengt, Kemppainen Jukka, Hannu T. Sipilä, Oikonen Vesa, Nuutila Pirjo, Knuuti Juhani, Kalliokoski Kari, and Hellsten Ylva. Skeletal muscle blood flow and oxygen uptake at rest and during exercise in humans: a PET study with nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase inhibition. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 300: H1510-H1517, 2011.

Nonmyocyte apoptosis and LV hypertrophy

Listen as our Editor in Chief William C. Stanley interviews lead author Stephen F. Vatner (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) and expert Joseph A. Hill (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center) with an intellectual yet entertaining discussion of the recently published article by Gelpi et al on non-myocyte apoptosis and LV hypertrophy. Ricardo J. Gelpi, Misun Park, Shumin Gao, Sunil Dhar, Dorothy E. Vatner, and Stephen F. Vatner. Apoptosis in severe, compensated pressure overload predominates in non-myocites and is related to the hypertrophy but not function. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 300: H1062-H1068, 2011.