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PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological research in space].

The paper presents the results of investigations carried out during the last two decades on various biological objects--microorganisms, plant seeds, insects, higher and lower plants, fish and amphibians--in real and simulation space flights. The paper discusses the current knowledge of the biological role of gravity and possible mechanisms of adaptation to weightlessness as well as the suitability of different biological objects for further space studies. Most experiments conducted in real space flights have lent support to the theoretical studies of the level and limits of weightlessness effects upon biological systems. Analysis of the data obtained in space and ground-bound experiments suggests that molecular processes are indifferent to an altered gravity and that energy metabolism plays an important role in adaptation of biological systems to zero-g.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1993

[Dielectric behavior of isolated rat submandibular glands: simulation with a vesicle-inclusion cell model].

In an attempt to correlate the passive electrical properties of the secretory tissue with its structure, I measured AC admittances for isolated rat submandibular glands, over the frequency range between 100 Hz and 500 MHz. Animals were divided into three groups: control and treatment with two different secretagogues, isoproterenol and pilocarpine. Dielectric dispersions observed from control glands had two characteristic frequencies at 2.6 kHz and 59 kHz; the former was of the alpha-type and the latter of the beta-type. Secretagogue-stimulated glands exhibited broader beta-dispersion curves. These dispersion data were analysed on the basis of a "two-shell model" with vesicle inclusions, in which two concentric shells represent the cell membrane and the nuclear envelope, and membrane-bounded vesicles are meant for secretory granules dispersed in the inter-shell space. Simulation by this model generated a good fit to data from the three groups. The analyses revealed that: (i) electric capacities for the cell and granular membranes were 2.1 and 0.9 microF/cm2, respectively; (ii) the conductivity of extracellular matrix was close to that of blood plasma; (iii) the conductivity ratio between cytoplasm and extracellular matrix was approx. 0.4; and (iv) the conductivity ratio between intragranular space and cytoplasm was approx. 0.7.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High speed electrophoresis simulation for optimization of continuous flow electrophoresis and high performance capillary techniques: Part I. Computer model.

A computer program for high-speed simulation and optimization of electrophoretic processes has been developed for carrier-free systems of all kinds. The calculations are based on the one-dimensional dynamic (transient-state) model. The three-dimensional geometry of the simulation space can be chosen deliberately. With a highly efficient transport algorithm instead of complicated integration schemes for the transport equations, the calculation time can be effectively spent on various important parameters such as ionic strength, temperature, Joule heat, activity coefficients and concentration changes due to membranes. The parameter set of any carrier free electrophoretic method (i.e., continuous-flow electrophoresis, capillary isotachophoresis and high performance capillary zone electrophoresis) can be imported directly into the computer program by means of a graphic user interface. The program performs overnight-simulation of any electrophoretic system containing up to 15 components.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1993

[Human gas and energy exchange in space flight and simulation research].

Human gas-energy exchange under extreme conditions is considered in the above work. Major attention is given to energy exchange and external respiration of humans in space flight, as well as in the models of space vehicles and during simulation of physiological effects of weightlessness.

Energy Metabolism↗
PubMed1994

Simulation of exchanges of multiple gases in bubbles in the body.

This communication introduces a system of equations, for numerical solution, which simulates the generation, growth, and decay of bubbles. The system is an advance over previous works because it allows for simultaneous diffusion of any number of gases. Our purpose for developing the system is to gain insight into the bubbles that occur in the body in decompression sickness (DCS). We validate the calculation system by matching observed data of DCS bubbles and of large subcutaneous gas pockets in rats. We demonstrate how a temporary supersaturation and bubble formation can occur without change of ambient pressure when there is a change in the inert gas being breathed. With exposures to hypobaric environments, such as when astronauts work in space, simulations show that O2, CO2, and water vapor add appreciably to volume of bubbles and affect the diffusion of inert gas.

Atmospheric Pressure↗
PubMed1999

Anomalous rotational resonance spectra in magic-angle spinning NMR.

Magic-angle spinning NMR spectra of samples containing dilute spin-1/2 pairs display broadenings or splittings when a rotational resonance condition is satisfied, meaning that a small integer multiple of the spinning frequency matches the difference in the two isotropic shift frequencies. We show experimental rotational resonance NMR spectra of a 13C2-labeled retinal which are in qualitative disagreement with existing theory. We propose an explanation of these anomalous rotational spectra involving residual heteronuclear couplings between the 13C nuclei and the neighboring 1H nuclei. These couplings strongly influence the rotational resonance 13C spectrum, despite the presence of a strong radiofrequency decoupling field at the 1H Larmor frequency. We model the residual heteronuclear couplings by differential transverse relaxation of the 13C single-quantum coherences. We present a superoperator theory of the phenomenon and describe a numerical algorithm for rapid Liouville space simulations in periodic systems. Good agreement with experimental results is obtained by using a biexponential transverse relaxation model for each spin site.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed1998

Model Analysis of Spatial Patterns in Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks.

The mountain pine beetle [MPB, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)] is an aggressive bark beetle, one that typically needs to kill host trees in order to successfully reproduce. This ecological adaptation has resulted in an organism that is both economically important and ecologically significant. Even though significant resources have been expended on MPB research, and a great deal of knowledge exists regarding individual aspects of MPB ecology, some of the most basic questions regarding outbreaks remain unanswered. In our opinion, one reason for the lack of synthesis and predictive power is the inadequate treatment of spatial dynamics in outbreak theories. This paper explicitly addresses the role of spatial dynamics in the precipitation and propagation of MPB outbreaks. We first describe a spatially dynamic model of the MPB/forest interaction that includes chemical ecology, spatial redistribution of beetles, attack, and resulting host mortality. The model is a system of 6 coupled, partial differential equations with 7 state variables and 20 parameters. It represents an attempt to capture the relatively complex predator/prey interaction between MPB and host trees by including the minimum phenomenological descriptions necessary for ecological credibility. This system of equations describes the temporal dynamics of: beetle attraction as a function of pheromone concentration; the change in numbers of flying and nesting beetles; tree resistance/susceptibility; and tree recovery from attack. Spatial dynamics are modeled by fluxes due to gradients in pheromones and kairomones, and the random redistribution of beetles in absence of semiochemicals. We then use the parameterized model to explore three issues central to the ecology of MPB/forest interaction. The first of these is in response to the need for objective ways to compare patterns of successful beetle attacks as they evolve in space. Simulation results indicate that at endemic levels, the pattern of successful attacks are determined almost exclusively by the underlying distribution of susceptible host trees (environmental determinism). As an outbreak develops, the pattern of successfully attacked trees switches to one that is dynamically driven by the self-generated semiochemical landscape (dynamic determinism). This switch from an environmentally determined spatial pattern to a dynamically driven pattern is the hallmark of an outbreak. We discuss the application of a spatial correlation coefficient that can be used to differentiate between the spatial distribution of killed trees in endemic and outbreak phases. The second issue we address through simulation is synchrony in adult emergence. Synchronous adult emergence is critical for the mass attack strategy necessary for overcoming tree defenses. Results from these simulations indicate that the degree of synchrony in adult emergence can have important consequences for assessing the risk of an outbreak. The final issue we investigate through simulation is the effect of spatial pattern of nurse trees (those successfully attacked the previous year) on outbreak potential. Simulations indicated that the spatial proximity of nurse trees was an important determinant of subsequent successful attacks. We conclude with a discussion of the general implications of our simulation experiments. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Response of Bacillus subtilis spores to dehydration and UV irradiation at extremely low temperatures.

Spores of Bacillus subtilis have been exposed to the conditions of extreme dehydration (argon/silica gel; simulated space vacuum) for up to 12 weeks at 298 K and 80 K in the dark. The inactivation has been correlated with the production of DNA-double strand-breaks. The temperature-dependence of the rate constants for inactivation or production of DNA-double strand-breaks is surprisingly low. Controls kept in the frozen state at 250 K for the same period of time showed no sign of deterioration. In another series of experiments the spores have been UV irradiated (253.7 nm) at 298 K, 200 K and 80 K after exposure to dehydrating conditions for 3 days. Fluence-effect relationships for inactivation, production of DNA-double strand-breaks and DNA-protein cross-links are presented. The corresponding F37-values for inactivation and production of DNA lesions are significantly increased only at 80 K (factor of 4 to 5). The data indicate that the low temperatures that prevail in the outer parts of the Solar System or at the nightside of Mars or the Moon are not sufficiently low to crucially inhibit inactivation by dehydration. Our data place further constraints on the panspermia hypothesis.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1998

Postnatal development under conditions of simulated weightlessness and space flight.

The adaptability of the developing nervous system to environmental influences and the mechanisms underlying this plasticity has recently become a subject of interest in space neuroscience. Ground studies on neonatal rats using the tail suspension model of weightlessness have shown that the force of gravity clearly influences the events underlying the postnatal development of motor function. These effects depend on the age of the animal, duration of the perturbation and the motor function studied. A nine-day flight study has shown that a dam and neonates can develop under conditions of space flight. The motor function of the flight animals after landing was consistent with that seen in the tail suspension studies, being marked by limb joint extension. However, there were expected differences due to: (1) the unloading of the vestibular system in flight, which did not occur in the ground-based experiments; (2) differences between flight and suspension durations; and (3) the inability to evaluate motor function during the flight. The next step is to conduct experiments in space with the flexibility and rigor that is now limited to ground studies: an opportunity offered by the International Space Station.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Resolution enhancement of biomagnetic images using the method of alternating protections.

Resolution of biomagnetic images using the technique of the alternating projections is proposed. Our image reconstruction procedure is divided in two steps. First, the biomagnetic inverse problem is solved by use of the projection theorem to reconstruct an initial image of the current distribution from a given magnetic field profile. Although the current distribution thus obtained has poor resolution, it can resemble the original shape of the current distribution. The second step improves the resolution of the reconstructed image by using the method of alternating projections. The procedure assumes that images can be represented by line like elements and involves finding the line like elements based on the initial image and projecting back onto the original solution space. Simulation studies were performed on a set of parallel conductors and a shape of the conductors in the form of letters, UWB@. All conductors were of line like thickness. Restored images closely resemble the original shape of the conductors.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Electromyographic study of the contractile and electrical properties of the human triceps surae muscle in a simulated microgravity environment.

1. The effects of 7 days of simulated space flight, achieved with the technique of 'dry' water immersion, on human triceps surae muscle function have been investigated. 2. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) was reduced by 33.8 % (P < 0.01) while the electrically evoked maximal tetanic contraction force (Po) decreased by 8.2 % (P > 0.05). This suggests that most of the force loss is due to a reduction in motor drive. 3. The decrease in Po was associated with a small increase in maximal rates of tension development (7.2 %). The twitch tension (Pt) was not significantly changed and the Pt : Po ratio was decreased by 8.7 % after immersion. 4. A standard fatigue test, consisting of sixty 1 s intermittent isometric contractions (50 impulses s-1) separated by 1 s rest decreased tetanic force to approximately 60 % of initial values, but force reduction was not significantly different before and after immersion: the fatigue index was 36.2 +/- 5.4 % before and 38.6 +/- 2.8 % after immersion (P > 0.05). Whilst there were similar changes in mechanical output between control and disused muscles, there were differences in the pattern of electrical activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1967

Statolon-induced resistance of mice to mengovirus.

Mice receiving statolon intraperitoneally were 1,000 times more resistant to intraperitoneal challenge with mengovirus than were untreated controls. Protection was afforded when statolon was administered 1 day before or 1 day after intraperitoneal inoculation with the virus. No therapeutic effect was observed when treatment with statolon was delayed for 2 days or more after virus infection. Exposure of mice to a simulated space cabin environment did not increase their susceptibility to the lethal effects of mengovirus infection or eliminate the protective effect of statolon.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Restoration of plasma volume after 16 days of head-down tilt induced by a single bout of maximal exercise.

Seven healthy men performed maximal exercise 24 h before the end of 16 days exposure to 6 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) to test the hypothesis that such an exercise technique could restore plasma volume (PV) at the end of a simulated space mission. Exercise consisted of supine cycling with graded work rates increasing by 16 W/min to volitional fatigue and required an average of 16 min. The experimental protocol was a standard cross-over design in which the order of treatment (exercise or control) was counterbalanced across all seven subjects. PV, fluid intake (ad libitum), urine output, renal function, and hormones associated with fluid homeostasis were measured before HDT, 24 h before the end of HDT just prior to exercise, and at the end of HDT 24 h after exercise. HDT reduced PV by 16% in both control and exercise conditions. Maximal exercise completely restored plasma volume within 24 h to 3.9 +/- 3.2% of pre-HDT levels despite continued HDT. Compared with control, exercise induced a 660-ml larger positive fluid balance because of greater fluid intake and reduced urine volume during the 24 h after exercise. These results suggest that one bout of maximal leg exercise before return from 16 days of spaceflight may be completely effective in stimulating thirst and restoring plasma volume to preflight levels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Calf muscle area and strength changes after five weeks of horizontal bed rest.

Nine male volunteers participated in a 10 week metabolic study in which subjects underwent 5 weeks of ambulatory control and 5 weeks of complete horizontal bed rest. Bed rest is a model commonly used to simulate space flight. The changes in muscle area and strength of the calf dorsiflexors and plantar flexors were measured before and after bed rest using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a Cybex II dynamometer. The muscle area of the plantar flexors (gastrocnemius and soleus) decreased 12%, whereas the muscle area of the dorsiflexors was not significantly decreased. The maximal muscle strength of the plantar flexors decreased 26%; the muscle strength of the dorsiflexors was not significantly decreased. These results, which demonstrate differential muscle atrophy and a larger loss in strength relative to muscle area, have important implications in the development of exercise counter-measures to be implemented during space flight. The results also have implications for patients who have severe orthopaedic disorders and must be bed rested for long periods of time, and for persons who are voluntarily inactive (a large number of the elderly).

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Abdominal actinomycosis presenting as a malignant tumor--report of a case and review of the literature].

Actinomyces israelii is a normal inhabitant in the gastrointestinal tract of humans, it rarely causes disease. Abdominal involvement occurs in only 20 percent of all cases and can mimic malignant diseases, tuberculosis and inflammatory bowel disease. A case of a 36 years old female patient with abdominal actinomycosis and review of the literature is reported. Symptoms was presented as an acute abdomen associated with painful epigastric and left subcostal mass. The pathologic process infiltrated the retroperitoneal space simulated sarcoma or lymphoma. Diagnosis was established only at the second laparotomy, when histologic examination of the removed lymph node disclosed actinomycosis. The patient is completely free of symptoms 6 month after the second operation.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1992

The influence of prior exercise at anaerobic threshold on decompression sickness.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of exercise prior to decompression on the incidence of altitude decompression sickness (DCS). In a balanced, two-period, crossover trial, 39 healthy individuals (29 males, 10 females) of mean (S.D.) age 32.5 (7.7) years and body mass index 23.7 (3.4) were each exposed twice, without denitrogenation, to an altitude of 6,400 m (21,000 ft) in a hypobaric chamber. Under the experimental condition, subjects exercised at their predetermined anaerobic threshold levels for 30 min each day for 3 d prior to altitude exposure; the other condition was a non-exercise control. Under both conditions, subjects performed exercise simulating space extravehicular activities at altitude for a period of 3 h, while breathing 100% oxygen. There were nine preferences (untied responses) for DCS, four under control and five under experimental conditions; all were Type I, pain-only bends. No carryover effect between exposures was detected, and the test for treatment differences showed p = 0.56 (95% confidence interval = 0.34-0.58) for symptoms. No significant difference in DCS preferences was found after subjects exercised up to their anaerobic threshold levels during the days prior to decompression.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mathematical model of intracranial blood-cerebrospinal fluid dynamics system applied to the study of extreme conditions].

A mathematical model of cerebral blood and lymph circulation that can be used to study various effects (simulated space flight factors, functional loads) on the human body was developed. Biophysical patterns that determine relationships between cerebral blood and lymph circulation as well as between fluid volumes and pressures (P and V) are discussed. Involvement of the mechanism of brain circulation autoregulation in cerebral blood and lymph circulation is considered. The model was applied to study responses of cerebral blood and lymph circulation to various exposures such as orthostatic and antiorthostatic tests and provocative tests which led to intracranial pressure shifts and modified the ratio between volumes and pressures in different hydrodynamic systems. The modelling data were consistent with clinical, physiological and experimental observations which demonstrate an adequacy of the above model.

Aerospace Medicine↗