Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ronni Baran, Shannon Marchal, Sebastian Garcia Campos, Emil Rehnberg, Kevin Tabury, Bjorn Baselet, Markus Wehland, Daniela Grimm, Sarah Baatout
Summary: This review discusses the cardiovascular diseases related to human spaceflight and focuses on the cardiovascular changes as well as cellular and molecular changes that occur in space. Upon entering microgravity, astronauts experience cephalad fluid shift, increased stroke volume and cardiac output, and reduced workload on the heart. Cellular and molecular changes include altered cell shape, endothelial dysfunction, and increased cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. Through studying these physiological changes in microgravity platforms, appropriate tools and countermeasures can be developed for future human spaceflight missions.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
R. Siddiqui, N. Akbar, N. A. Khan
Summary: The role of gut bacteria in the space environment is still not well understood, but it may impact astronaut health through synthesis of molecules, absorption, and physiological effects on the host. Additionally, factors such as microgravity, radiation and diet could have adverse effects on dysbiosis of the human microbiota and immune system.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Rizwan Qaisar, Nandu Goswami, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Adel Elmoselhi
Summary: This article discusses the stressors and changes brought by microgravity to astronaut health, including the gut microbiome, muscle strength and bone fragility, vision, endothelial function, metabolic changes, and behavior. It is suggested that targeting and modulating the gut microbiome may have a positive impact on astronaut health.
Review
Cell Biology
Mei ElGindi, Jiranuwat Sapudom, Ibrahim Hamed Ibrahim, Mohamed Al-Sayegh, Weiqiang Chen, Anna Garcia-Sabate, Jeremy C. M. Teo
Summary: This review examines the effects of microgravity on cellular aspects of the immune system, emphasizing the gaps in our understanding of immune impairment among humans in space.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shirley Genah, Monica Monici, Lucia Morbidelli
Summary: Microgravity-induced bone loss is a significant health risk for space travelers as it can lead to irreversible changes and skeletal weakening. Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological countermeasures have been proposed, but each has limitations and potential serious side effects with prolonged use. More research is needed to develop innovative therapies for bone loss in microgravity conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ada Kanapskyte, Elizabeth M. Hawkins, Lauren C. Liddell, Shilpa R. Bhardwaj, Diana Gentry, Sergio R. Santa Maria
Summary: In light of future missions beyond LEO and the potential establishment of bases on the Moon and Mars, research on the effects of the deep space environment on biology is essential. The upcoming deep space biological missions will focus on microbial organisms and plant seeds using miniaturized technologies, with CubeSats playing a key role in exploring relevant space environments.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Erdinc Ercan
Summary: Physical and physiological changes occur in the atmospheric levels during flight and space activities, such as decreased air pressure and oxygen partial pressure leading to hypoxia. Additionally, high acceleration forces and gravitational forces affect the body in both high altitude and space missions. Precautionary measures are necessary to ensure the safety of these activities.
ANATOLIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Zheng H. Zhu, Junjie Kang, Udai Bindra
Summary: The experimental validation of a CubeSat tether deployment design was conducted through air-bearing ground test and microgravity parabolic flight test. Results show that the internal friction of the tether in microgravity environment is much less than on the ground, indicating the effectiveness of the designed tether deployment system.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Cialdai, Davide Bolognini, Leonardo Vignali, Nicola Iannotti, Stefano Cacchione, Alberto Magi, Michele Balsamo, Marco Vukich, Gianluca Neri, Alessandro Donati, Monica Monici, Sergio Capaccioli, Matteo Lulli
Summary: This study aimed to explore the cellular and molecular effects of human retinal pigment ARPE-19 cells transferred to and living on board the ISS for 3 days, with a focus on the adaptations and dysfunction exhibited by the cells in response to the space environment. Results indicated that the cells showed cytoskeleton remodeling and transcriptomic profile changes, suggesting a cellular response to the unique conditions of space. Additionally, treatment with coenzyme Q10 showed potential for increasing cell resistance to damage.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Tapan Kumar Mohanta, Awdhesh Kumar Mishra, Yugal Kishore Mohanta, Ahmed Al-Harrasi
Summary: Researchers have created crop varieties with diverse genetic combinations by exposing plants to microgravity and cosmic radiation in the space environment, leading to DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations. These changes are crucial for producing next-generation crop varieties capable of withstanding diverse environmental conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Chayakrit Krittanawong, Nitin Kumar Singh, Richard A. A. Scheuring, Emmanuel Urquieta, Eric M. M. Bershad, Timothy R. R. Macaulay, Scott Kaplin, Carly Dunn, Stephen F. F. Kry, Thais Russomano, Marc Shepanek, Raymond P. P. Stowe, Andrew W. W. Kirkpatrick, Timothy J. J. Broderick, Jean D. D. Sibonga, Andrew G. G. Lee, Brian E. E. Crucian
Summary: The field of human space travel is undergoing a revolutionary change, with upcoming missions aiming to travel longer distances and durations than ever before. NASA and commercial space companies have started preparing for long-distance space exploration and plan to explore inner solar planets by the 2030s. Space travel has emerged as a potential new frontier in business, hospitality, medicine, and technology.
Review
Cell Biology
Carin Basirun, Melanie L. Ferlazzo, Nicholas R. Howell, Guo-Jun Liu, Ryan J. Middleton, Boris Martinac, S. Anand Narayanan, Kate Poole, Carmine Gentile, Joshua Chou
Summary: With increasing interest in space exploration and advancements in technology, there is a need to evaluate the impact of microgravity and radiation on the cardiovascular system. Understanding these effects can provide insights into deep space exploration and increase knowledge of the cardiovascular system and associated diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sophia Shaka, Nicholas Carpo, Victoria Tran, Araceli Espinosa-Jeffrey
Summary: Human neural stem cells flown into space were successfully induced into astrocytes after a slow process lasting several weeks, showing slow but significant proliferation and a tendency to continue proliferating at the same pace. Astrocytes, a major type of glial cells, are crucial for the normal function of the central nervous system and are increasingly recognized as a critical component in most neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the effects of space microgravity on astrocytes is essential for long-duration space travel.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Marta Filipa Simoes, Andre Antunes
Summary: Space exploration is booming with an increase in missions, and microorganisms are an inevitable component of these missions. Managing these hitchhiking microorganisms and reducing associated risks are key challenges for future activities.
Article
Biology
Ford Burles, Rebecca Williams, Lila Berger, G. Bruce Pike, Catherine Lebel, Giuseppe Iaria
Summary: After spaceflight, astronauts experience upward shifting of the brain and redistribution of cerebrospinal fluid. Brain volume changes observed in astronauts are contaminated by preprocessing errors and may not be direct evidence of neuroplastic adaptation. New preprocessing methods or experimental paradigms are needed to resolve this issue in space health research.
Article
Physiology
Alyssa R. Mickle, Jesus D. Penaloza-Aponte, Richard Coffey, Natale A. Hall, David Baekey, Erica A. Dale
Summary: Closed-loop epidural stimulation (CL-ES) can improve respiratory deficits caused by cervical spinal cord injury, restoring diaphragm activity and enhancing contralateral activity. This treatment has the potential to lead to lasting recovery and device independence.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Shawn Miller Jr, Edgar Juarez Lopez, Jessica M. L. Grittner, Brendan J. Dougherty
Summary: This study tested the impact of CO2 supplementation at different concentrations on ventilatory long-term facilitation (vLTF) in rats and found that 2% CO2 supplementation during and after acute, intermittent hypoxia (AIH) was sufficient to maintain isocapnia and induce significant vLTF.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Behnam Vafadari, Yoshitaka Oku, Charlotte Tacke, Ali Harb, Swen Huelsmann
Summary: The preBo·tzinger Complex (preBo·tC) in the brainstem plays a critical role in generating respiratory rhythm. This study aimed to investigate the activity of inhibitory glycinergic neurons in the preBo·tC of anesthetized mice. Using juxtacellular recordings and optogenetic activation, the researchers were able to identify and characterize the activity pattern of these inhibitory neurons in relation to the breathing rhythm.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Stephen M. Johnson, Maia G. Gumnit, Sarah M. Johnson, Tracy L. Baker, Jyoti J. Watters
Summary: Low-level activation of mu-opioid receptors can increase the amplitude of inspiratory bursts in neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations. Endomorphin-2, an endogenous ligand for these receptors, was found to have similar effects. Disinhibition of inhibitory synaptic transmission may not be involved in the changes induced by endomorphin-2, and different mechanisms may underlie the increase in burst amplitude and decrease in burst frequency.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Raphael Martins de Abreu, Beatrice Cairo, Patricia Rehder-Santos, Claudio Donisete da Silva, Etore De Favari Signini, Juliana Cristina Milan-Mattos, Camila Akemi Sakaguchi, Aparecida Maria Catai, Alberto Porta
Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between exercise capacity based on peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and resting cardiorespiratory coupling (CRC) levels. The results showed that resting CRC values were associated with exercise capacity in athletes but not in non-athletes.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Sarah M. Russel, Raluca E. Gosman, Katherine Gonzalez, Joshua Wright, Dennis O. Frank-Ito
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the response of different nasal morphologies to airflow-related variables during rapid/deep inspiration. The results showed that notched nasal vestibules had higher resistance values and airflow velocities, while standard nasal vestibules had higher mucosal heat flux. Different nasal phenotypes may predispose individuals to exercise-induced rhinitis.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Ivan Poliacek, Lukas Martvon, Michal Simera, Marcel Veternik, Jakub Misek, Lucia Cibulkova, Kimberly E. Iceman, Donald C. Bolser, Teresa Pitts
Summary: An animal model study evaluated the effects of an abdominal incision on cough and swallow, revealing that abdominal wall manipulations can increase pharyngeal muscle activity during swallow without affecting the cough reflex. Swallowing tended to occur more during the inspiratory phase. The results highlight the important role of abdominal wall sensory feedback in regulating swallow motor patterns.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Rui Yu, Tatsuma Okazaki, Yuzhuo Ren, Junko Okuyama, Satoru Ebihara, Shin-Ichi Izumi
Summary: Body postures significantly influence respiratory muscle force, cough pressure, subjective ease of coughing, and pulmonary function. The 60-degree semi-recumbent posture and sitting posture show better results compared to the supine posture.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Suzuna Sato, Koji Ishida, Noriko I. Tanaka, Keisho Katayama
Summary: Respiratory muscle endurance training has beneficial effects on whole-body endurance performance. A novel high-intensity interval (HII) protocol is found to enhance the efficacy of respiratory muscle training programs.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Letter
Physiology
R. Arieli
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Correction
Physiology
Ivan Poliacek, Michal Simera, Marcel Veternik, Zuzana Kotmanova, Teresa Pitts, Jan Hanacek, Jana Plevkova, Peter Machac, Nadezda Visnovcova, Jakub Misek, Jan Jakus
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physiology
Dimitrios I. Bourdas, Nickos D. Geladas
Summary: This study examined the effects of breath-hold training on the performance of novice and elite breath-hold divers. The results showed that breath-hold training significantly improved red blood cell concentration, hemoglobin oxygen saturation steady state duration, and breath-hold time in novice divers. Elite divers had better breath-hold performance and higher peak mean arterial pressure compared to novices. The study suggests that breath-hold training can enhance the performance of divers.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY & NEUROBIOLOGY
(2024)
