After Attending the 71st International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine Conference in Singapore

After house jobs Frank joined the Royal Navy, serving on aircraft carriers in the Far East. This experience forged his fascination with aviation medicine. On demobilisation he joined the Royal...

Education programme on aerospace and environmental medicine for medical faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University

Reviewed by: Testing the Limits: Aviation Medicine and the Origins of Manned Space Flight Matthew H. Hersch (bio) Testing the Limits: Aviation Medicine and the Origins of Manned Space Flight. By Maura Phillips Mackowski . College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2005. Pp. xii+289. $49.95. Almost immediately upon launching their first large rockets in the late 1940s, researchers in the United States and the Soviet Union stuffed the nose cones with a petting zoo's worth of animals just to see if they would survive the trip. The health of mice in space was not an idle concern in the years after World War II; physiologists preparing for World War III wondered which lethal mechanism—weightlessness, temperature, insanity—would fell future space pilots first. Soviet space dog Laika, a stray mutt launched into Earth orbit in November 1957, spent three days in abject terror, a feeding tube crammed down her throat, until she died of heat exhaustion. American researchers trained chimpanzees to mimic the human pilots who would soon follow them into space, pulling levers in pretend cockpits. Such experiments were only one small (and much-mocked) part of the research program of "aviation medicine," a field of study that, shortly before World War II, expanded from a fringe pursuit into a thriving international research discipline. Aviation medicine could not have found a better champion than Maura Phillips Mackowski; her new book, Testing the Limits, faithfully recounts the efforts of American and German research physicians who, at the dawn of the space age, saved more than a few pilots' lives by perfecting life-support equipment and quantifying the physiological and psychological effects of aviation. It is a telling statement about this [End Page 897] research that Mackowski follows it through personalities rather than institutions: in the mid-twentieth century, aviation medicine flourished under the stewardship of a handful of dedicated scientists who tirelessly lobbied skeptical superiors, scrounged for funds, and experimented on themselves. These pioneers include Harry Armstrong, who founded the first U.S. aeromedical research laboratory in 1934 at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio, and his German counterpart, Hubertus "Struggie" Strughold, who, like the Führer, was a wonderful dancer. Germany's wartime experience with high-speed airplanes made its aviation physicians particularly valuable at war's end, and Strughold, the least Nazified of the group, found a warm reception in the United States when American spies smuggled him and many other scientists out of the Reich in Project Paperclip. In America, the "Paperclips" and native-born colleagues like Randy Lovelace and Paul Stapp established human tolerances for acceleration and altitude and the medical implications of transformative wartime technologies like ejection seats and rocket planes. American aviation medicine of the 1950s emerges in Testing the Limits as a research frontier populated by hands-on iconoclasts quite content to abuse their bodies for science, exposing themselves to supersonic wind blasts or jumping from stratospheric weather balloons. Some intrepid physiologists dreamed of taking their work literally to the Moon, but until the launch of Sputnik in October 1957, space remained a dirty word in the air force, under whose auspices most American aviation physiologists worked. The years 1958 through 1961, however, quickly became space medicine's heyday, with the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) calling on the physicians to help select the military pilots who would become America's first astronauts. Ultimately, though, NASA wanted the physiologists' reassurance, not their research. Mackowski is charitable toward the doctors, but their "examinations" were often worthless experiments masquerading as evaluative tests. As it turned out, nude anthropometric photography couldn't distinguish good pilots from bad ones, and aviation medicine's influence over astronaut selection quickly waned. Mackowski's final chapter, on the group of unqualified civilian women Lovelace unsuccessfully promoted as potential astronauts in 1961, reveals, ultimately, only the physiologist's naivete about the military foundations of "big science." Testing the Limits is a thoroughly researched work making excellent use of archives and oral history; only Soviet space medicine is noticeably shortchanged. Mackowski's account resounds with the kind of thrilling stories for which basic cable was invented, but evaluating aviation medicine's scientific legacy remains tricky. Nazi experiments were...

Aviation and space medicine is the UK’s newest medical specialty, recognised by the General Medical Council in 2016.1 However, aviation medicine has existed for 100 years, since the Wright brothers...

Objective To review status of the proteomics research in aerospace medicine and prospect its application in future.Literature resource and selection Domestic and international publications in this field were retrieved.Literature quotation Thirty-four published research papers and report were cited.Literature synthesis Proteomics is a new technology applied to generally analyzing the intracellular proteins,the expressed proteins and the modified proteins.It is a highthroughput method in biological research.In aviation medical research,the blood biomarkers were identified for selecting the pilots with superior performance under psychological stress by proteomics technology that was also used to investigate the pathogenesis of the aviation disease.Proteomics technology has been widely used in space medicine,such as rocket propellant effects on testicular proteome,microgravity and radiation impacts on tissue,cells and microbiology proteins.Conclusions Due to its high-throughput and real time proteins processing features,the proteomics has widely applied in the research of the disease.We would apply this technology to reveal the physiological mechanisms of aerospace diseases,to establish the diagnostic criteria and to explore the potential therapeutic targets.It will provide aerospace medicine research with new technology and thought. Key words: Protcomics; Aerospace medicine; Review literature

The main milestones of scientific and pedagogical activity, as well as the life path of one of the leading representatives of aviation medicine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, outstanding researcher and wonderful teacher, author of works on the problem of influence of overload and hypervesomity on the body and central nervous system of man- Boris MikhailvichSavin are considered. Separate moments of his participation in the Great Patriotic War before daily work as the head of research department of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov are presented. The contribution of Boris Savin to the study of issues related to aviation and space medicine, in particular: the study of the action on the body of overload and the clarification of physiological mechanisms underlying changes in higher nervous activity at accelerations, was analyzed; Studying the state of the central nervous system when exposed to various factors; Development of neuroreflective theory of adverse effect of accelerations on human body. Boris Mikhailvich has made a huge contribution to the development of aviation and space medicine and has entered the history of aviation and space medicine through his research and scientific publications, which include monographs The influence of overload on the functional state of the central nervous system and the mechanism of disruption of its activities and Hypervesomeness and functions of the central nervous system.

In 1988, the Austrian Federal Government initiated a bilateral programme with Russia with the aim of flying an Austrian Cosmonaut to the Space Station MIR to be accompanied by approximately 170 kg of Austrian developed and manufactured scientific/medical experiments. This cooperative effort, which reached its climax with the launch of the Austrian Cosmonaut Franz Viehbock with the crew of Soyuz TM-13 to the Space Station MIR on 2 October 1991, came to be known as the AUSTROMIR project. Due to the success of the mission, the quality of the experimental results, and the fruitful collaboration between Austrian and Russian researchers/scientists the Austrian Federal Ministry for Science Research (and Art) supported the founding of the Austrian Society for Aerospace Medicine (ASM) & Life Sciences. Since its inception and according to its founding mandate, ASM has striven to become the focal point for all Austrian activities in space medicine and space life sciences. Recently, under the management of ASM from the Austrian side, Austria has flown improved versions of all the major experiments from the AUSTROMIR project within the framework of the Russian National Space Program. This collaborative effort, referred to more commonly as the Russian Long-term Flight (RLF) Project, was centered around the Russian Physician Cosmonaut Valery V. Polyakov who broke the space endurance record with 437 days and 17 hours of spaceflight. The main goal of his mission was to investigate the effects of long-term spaceflight — especially weightlessness — on the human body. As a result of the AUSTROMIR Project, the RLF Project and their respective continuation phases, Austrian researchers/scientists have accumulated (in total) over 2 years of experimental data en long-term spaceflight. This means that Austria, in this specialized field, has attained a greater knowledge and experience than many of the larger space faring nations and agencies with respect to long duration spaceflight. This paper, by giving an overview of ASM, the AUSTROMIR and RLF projects, will focus on two main areas. First, how Austria is implementing the results and reaping the benefits from its space based experiments within terrestrial medical/clinical applications for the benefit of humanity. This will be highlighted by connecting the results from the Austrian space based experiments to terrestrial applications in the areas of radiation therapy, radiation protection, rehabilitation, and the early detection of cognitive disorders, etc. Secondly, the paper will demonstrate how Austria as a small nation with limited resources can actively, effectively and successfully participate in microgravity activities.

Heart rate variability, with modern technology detects the differences between each electro cardiac signal of the heartbeat, and is being utilized across a broad number of fields in aviation and space medicine, such as simulation training, assessment of performance and improvement in safety and wellbeing and has potential in the prediction of incapacitation in Civil Aviation Medicine, from both physical and mental health problems, and monitoring of astronauts in space flight. HRV has seen increasing utility across aviation and aerospace medicine but also has potential as a marker of -chronological aging, stress, cognitive load, recovery and optimal performance. Data needs to be gathered on the population being studied at baseline, and under physiological stress and recovery in the long term and potentially in the occupational role. Aviation Medical examiners need to be skilled at critical analysis of HRV data in predicting incapacity particularly in the aging pilot where there may be many cofounders. HRV biofeedback may enhance aviation medical wellbeing interventions. Aviation Medical Examiners would benefit from understanding the current use and potential of Heart rate variability data.

Oleg Georgievich Gazenko

Meetings and Congresses

<h3>AIR FORCE</h3><h3>Air Force Medical Conference—</h3> The Air Force Medical Research Council held its third meeting in Washington, D. C., Jan. 21-22, 1958, with Major Gen. Dan C. Ogle, the surgeon general, opening the meeting. Among numerous subjects discussed were Special Experimental Space Indoctrination by Col. John P. Stapp, chief, Aero Medical Field Laboratory in New Mexico; Spatial Disorientation and Vertigo by Col. James P. Nuttall of the surgeon general's office; Ultraviolet Infrared and Cosmic Radiation by John L. Spencer of the Rome Development Center, New York; Blast Biology—Military and Public Aspects by Dr. Clayton S. White of the Lovelace Foundation, New Mexico. There was also a panel on aviation accidents and another on aviation and space medicine research. This council is designed to maintain a continuing survey of research requirements in aviation medicine and health sciences. Surgeon General Ogle also attended the Air Force Command Surgeons Conference in Washington,

The work is a review and an assessment of the scientifi c achievements of the employees of the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine (MIAM) associated with aviation and space medicine. A retrospective analysis of studies of animals exposed to fl ight factors, corresponding to the weightlessness of space was performed. A decrease in the physical capacity of animals was observed on the basis of the simulated weightlessness, hypokinesia and hypodynamics. Concomitant eff ects of vibration and acceleration following a long-term hypokinesia resulted in the physiological disturbances of the circulatory, muscular and nervous systems of the animals. These changes were identifi ed using radioactive isotopes. Some studies were performed in the sputniks under true space fl ight conditions. The eff ects of vibration on an organism were also analyzed and have shown that prolonged exposure to this factor leads to changes in the nervous system. The work also discusses research done on the eff ects of the biological work-sleep-rest cycle. It was shown that the greatest contribution to the study of aviation and space medicine was made by works utilizing biochemical, physiological and morphological methods using radioisotopes, which highlighted the advantage of their use during their study period. pilots, astronauts, cosmonauts, astronautics, animal radioisotope studies, hypodynamics, hypokinesia, vibration, simulated weightlessness

INTRODUCTION: Aerospace medicine training is often difficult to obtain outside of military education streams. Undergraduate medical trainees and residents may undertake training opportunities, but often have trouble locating programs and/or receiving credit for their experiences and learning. In many countries, no formal aerospace medicine training program or pathway exists and trainees must search out opportunities on their own. Canada is used as an example of a country which, until recently, had no defined civilian aerospace medicine training program or credentialing pathway. Recent development of a Diploma in Aerospace Medicine certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons now outlines a series of competencies for trainees and medical professionals seeking advancement in aerospace medicine. Growth of the aviation and aerospace fields will require more training opportunities and more aerospace medicine professionals to support the increased number of aviators and the spacefaring population. This will be particularly important as commercial space companies develop the potential for civilian spaceflight. While few opportunities exist for training, we highlight the major aerospace medicine training opportunities that have been recently available to Canadians. It is our hope that highlighting previous and current opportunities may aid in the development of a formal training program leading to certification in aerospace medicine for Canadians and act as an example for other nations.Sirek A, Samoil K, Harrison MF. Space medicine training in Canada. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(8):725-729.

The main historical aspects of the research work of the Department of Aviation and Space Medicine of the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy are presented for a 60-year period of its activity with a characteristic of the contribution of the department’s staff at different periods. One of the priority tasks of the department was not only training medical specialists for the Air Force but also carrying out scientific research aimed at solving both applied and fundamental problems of aviation and space medicine. The directions of these studies were laid by the founder of aeronautical physiology academician Leon A. Orbeli and are related both to the development and improvement of science and technology, and to the development of aviation and cosmonautics. Today, the main scientific areas of the Department of Aviation and Space Medicine are: improving the medical support system for flights on modern and promising aviation and space technology; development of methods and techniques for increasing the stability of the body of pilots and cosmonauts to flight factors; assessment and forecasting of the functional state and professional reliability of the flight crew, astronauts and operators for the management of space vehicles, as well as the development of tools and methods for correcting adverse changes in the functional state and improving the professional performance of pilots and astronauts. The Department continues research on one of the most important problems of flight safety - the loss of spatial orientation, new types of illusions are being studied. To ensure the work of the department at the present stage, the educational and material base is represented by the most modern medical and special equipment grouped into adjacent and complementary areas.

Space medicine is a branch of aerospace medicine, which is a crucial field, albeit with minimal research. Research at the International Space Station and other endeavors has provided insights into how loss of gravity could affect the physiological functions of humans. Organs such as the heart could begin to deteriorate with lack of resistance from the planet. The musculoskeletal system, which is the anatomical backbone, may struggle to support the individual’s structure. The cardiovascular system will be inefficient with respect to circulation, leading to other organ dysfunction. Radiation in space, also known as cosmic radiation, is caused by many different celestial bodies such as stars, sun, supernovae, and black holes. The Earth’s magnetic field is a crucial component to protect humans from harmful radiation. However, once humans venture beyond the protective confines, the body becomes exposed to dangerous elements that pose a significant threat to safety. Living in microgravity also has detrimental effects on organisms’ brains. These include but are not limited to sustained effects on circadian rhythm, emotional dysregulation, and cognitive dysfunction. This article discusses the threat of premature aging during long- and short-term times in space due to high risks associated with space travel. Improvement of clinical intervention is hindered by a lack of research and development, which is needed to fundamentally address these risks.