Gut Microbiota Metabolites Sensed by Host GPR41/43 Protect Against Hypertension.

Background: Fermentation of dietary fiber by the gut microbiota leads to the production of metabolites called short-chain fatty acids, which lower blood pressure and exert cardioprotective effects. Short-chain fatty acids activate host signaling responses via the functionally redundant receptors GPR41 and GPR43, which are highly expressed by immune cells. Whether and how these receptors protect against hypertension or mediate the cardioprotective effects of dietary fiber remains unknown.

Widespread innervation of motoneurons by spinal V3 neurons globally amplifies locomotor output in mice.

While considerable progress has been made in understanding the neuronal circuits that underlie the patterning of locomotor behaviors, less is known about the circuits that amplify motoneuron output to adjust muscle force. Here, we demonstrate that propriospinal V3 neurons (Sim1) account for ∼20% of excitatory input to motoneurons across hindlimb muscles. V3 neurons also form extensive connections among themselves and with other excitatory premotor neurons, such as V2a neurons.

Perceptions of physical activity among individuals with limb loss: A qualitative study.

Objectives: Individuals with lower-limb amputations (LLA) often have deficits in balance and community walking ability. As a result, people with LLA are often sedentary. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of physical activity from the perspective of people with LLA.

Young adult reflections on life experiences following preterm birth: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Background: Increasingly, preterm-born children are entering adulthood as survival at earlier gestational ages improves. However, there is little understanding of the lived experience in preterm-born adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted including young adults from a regional birth cohort of infants born <33 weeks in Western Australia.

Chemokine receptor CXCR7 antagonism ameliorates cardiac and renal fibrosis induced by mineralocorticoid excess.

Cardiorenal fibrosis is a common feature of chronic cardiovascular disease and recent data suggests that cytokines and chemokines may also drive fibrosis. Here we tested the hypothesis that CXCR7, a highly conserved chemokine receptor, contributes to cardiac and renal fibrosis. We generated an anti-mouse CXCR7-specific monoclonal antibody (CXCR7 mAb) and tested its anti-fibrotic actions in cardiorenal fibrosis induced using the deoxycorticosterone acetate/uni-nephrectomy (DOCA-UNX) model.