Spaceflight Conditions Research Articles

Proteome of Dried Blood Spots of Cosmonauts during a 6-Month Flight

For successful exploration of near space, construction of planetary bases and exploration of the Solar System planets, it is necessary to fill the gaps in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the human body response to space flight (SF) conditions. Subsequently, this will make it possible to get closer to the discovery of potential molecular targets for protection against adverse processes occurring in the body under the influence of SF conditions. The aim of the work was to assess the effect of a 6-month space flight on the proteome of dried blood spots of cosmonauts. As a result of proteomic analysis, processes with highly and moderately enriched proteins were identified. Among them, processes with reliable dynamics were identified on the 7th day of SF, as well as on the 3rd and 6th months of flight: these are clusters of energy processes, presentation of molecules on the membrane, initiation of immune defense, proteostasis and metabolism. Biological processes were identified in which the representation of proteins decreased most significantly, which was reflected in a weakening of activity in the presentation of molecules on the membrane, the initiation of immune defense, as well as in the mechanisms of proteostasis in the acute period of adaptation to the factors of the initial stage of flight. It has been shown that there is a close interaction with proteins of the cytoskeleton organization that disappear or reappear in the dried blood spots proteome during flight, and that relate to processes whose activity significantly decreased during SF (immune system, proteostasis, metabolism).

Combining clinostating and proton irradiation for modeling the space environment: a case study with a Chernobyl accession of Arabidopsis thaliana

Purpose The study of mechanisms of plant responses to extreme conditions, particularly, microgravity and ionizing radiation, is crucial for space exploration. Modern space biology of plants focuses on increasing plant tolerance to harsh conditions of space environment. Given the limited access to the International Space Station, we designed and assembled the 3D clinostat for mimicking microgravity, which, in combination with proton irradiation, allows simulating space conditions. As a case study for testing the device, we studied the effect of clinostating on Arabidopsis thaliana accession originating from the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Materials and Methods Using the combined clinostating and proton irradiation, we simulated the conditions of long-term space flight for Arabidopsis thaliana plants of the Chernobyl accession – progeny of chronically irradiated plants, grown from field-collected (Masa-0) and laboratory-cultivated (Masa-0-1) seeds, and for wild-type Col-8. The clinostating and irradiation of plants were also carried out separately. Plant responses were studied as photosynthetic and phenotypic endpoints of seedlings. Results and Conclusions Parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence estimated immediately after exposure showed that Masa-0-1 plants were resistant to the simulated space conditions, while Masa-0 demonstrated modulation of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching. Proton irradiation generally inhibited photosynthesis of Masa-0, Masa-0-1, and Col-8 seedlings. The combined effect of irradiation and clinostating modulated the photosynthetic activity of Col-8 seedlings. The leaf area of seedlings did not change after exposure to simulated conditions. The 3D clinostat model and software are published along with this article for researchers interested in the field of space biology.

Spaceflight associated dry eye syndrome (SADES): Radiation, stressors, and ocular surface health

Crewed spaceflight missions require careful scrutinization of the health risks including alterations to the tear film lipid layer in astronauts. We review the current literature and prior published work on tear film lipid layer biophysics and secondary spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome (SADES). We define the term spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome to describe the collection of ocular surface signs and symptoms experienced by astronauts during spaceflight. Our review covers the ocular surface and lipidomics in the spaceflight environment. From our literature review, we extrapolate biophysical principles governing the tear film layer to determine the changes that may arise from the harsh conditions of spaceflight and microgravity. Our findings provide vital information for future long-duration spaceflight, including a return to the Moon and potential missions to Mars.

Experimental investigation of mass transfer characteristics in centrifugal humidifier

It is proposed to use humidification-dehumidification technology (HDH) for water recovery in space flight conditions, in conditions of weightlessness, the processes of humidification and drying are realized in centrifugal direct contact devices. The process of heat and mass transfer in a centrifugal direct contact air humidifier is experimentally investigated. The effect of the gravity factor (G=40–650), air velocity (Reair = 5–40), water flow rate (Rew = 28000–94000), geometric parameters of the mesh on the intensity of air humidification was investigated. Experimental studies were carried out on a laboratory stand with an automated system for measuring the main parameters. The parameters of the humidifier will allow the development of a distillation system with a productivity of 1.3 kg per hour, which is enough for a crew of two people. The results of the experimental studies are summarized by new correlations suitable for engineering calculations, which make it possible to calculate the geometric parameters of a centrifugal humidifier for a water recovery system with different productivity.

Optical Apparatus of the Eye under Conditions of “Dry” Immersion

The studies of the astronauts’ vision show that after space flight various changes can occur in the visual system: flattening of the eyeball, optic disc edema, hyperopic refractive shift, and others. The mechanisms of those changes are being actively studied. Among model experiments simulating aggressive factors of space flight, experiments on modeling microgravity in conditions of “dry” immersion seem to be one of the most promising in terms of studying eye changes. The aim: to evaluate the prospects of using “dry” immersion as a model for studying intraocular changes in space flight conditions. The paper presents data on the evaluation of the eye condition of the test subjects after being in the immersion bath for 5 days (10 subjects) and 21 days (6 subjects). Refraction and dynamic accommodation were evaluated in all subjects using an autorefkeratometer Righton Speedy-i k-model with dynamic accommodation assessment function. The refraction data showed a trend toward a positive refractive shift of 0.11 diopters on average for 5 days of immersion (confidence interval (–0.06)–(+0.28)) and 0.29 diopters for 21 days of immersion (c.i. (–0.28)–(+0.86)); no statistical significance of the differences was confirmed, which may be due to the small number of subjects and the limited power of the statistical criterion. However, the trend requires further investigation. A significant individual variation was shown in the results of accommodation assessment. Preliminary data suggest that “dry” immersion may be a promising model for studying the effects of reduced gravity on the human visual system. Further studies are needed.

DEFINITION OF THE MAIN PREREQUISITES FOR THE EMERGENCE OF THE TERM “SPACE ERGONOMICS”

The article discusses the main reasons for the formation of space ergonomics as a separate scientific discipline, since the knowledge used on the organisation of human activity in the surrounding techno-sphere on Earth differs significantly from the subject environment in outer space. The state of weightlessness dictates not only new rules in ergonomics, but also leads to the development of unique design solutions for a comfortable human stay in the space environment. Space ergonomics studies the laws of human life processes in the conditions of space flight. It is shown that the development of ergonometric requirements for the conditions of human professional activity in the space environment is an important factor for successful space exploration. The requirements include life support systems, safety, development of scientific and household equipment, design of the surrounding space, as well as consideration of psychological features of cosmonauts’ work.

Transcriptional response of Arabidopsis thaliana's root-tip to spaceflight.

Plants are expected to play a critical role in the biological life support systems of crewed spaceflight missions, including in the context of upcoming missions targeting the Moon and Mars. Therefore, understanding the response of plants to spaceflight is essential for improving the selection and engineering of plants and spaceflight conditions. In particular, understanding the root-tip's response to spaceflight is of importance as it is the center of orchestrating the development of the root, the primary organ for the absorption of nutrients and anchorage. GLDS-120 is a pioneering study by Paul et al. that used transcriptomics to evaluate the spaceflight response of the root-tip of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in dark and light through separate analyses of three genotype groups (Wassilewskija, Columbia-0, and Columbia-0 PhyD) and comparison of genotype responses. Here, we provide a complementary analysis of this dataset through a combined analysis of all samples while controlling for the genotypes in a paired analysis. We identified a robust transcriptional response to spaceflight with 622 DEGs in light and 200 DEGs in dark conditions. Gene enrichment analysis identified 37 and 13 significantly enriched terms from biological processes in light and dark conditions, respectively. Prominent enrichment for hypoxia-related terms in both conditions suggests hypoxia is a key stressor for root development during spaceflight. Additional enriched terms in light conditions include the circadian cycle, light response, and terms for the metabolism of flavonoid and indole-containing compounds. These results further our understanding of plants' responses to the spaceflight environment.

Self-Generated Lower Body Negative Pressure Exercise: A Low Power Countermeasure for Acute Space Missions.

Microgravity in spaceflight produces headward fluid shifts which probably contribute to Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). Developing new methods to mitigate these shifts is crucial for preventing SANS. One possible strategy is the use of self-generated lower body negative pressure (LBNP). This study evaluates biological or physiological effects induced by bed rest to simulate adaptations to microgravity. Participants were tested during powered LBNP and dynamic self-generated (SELF) LBNP at 25 mmHg for 15 min. The results were compared to the physiologic responses observed in seated upright and supine positions without LBNP, which served as controls for normal gravitational effects on fluid dynamics. Eleven participants' (five male, six female) heart rates, blood pressures, and cross-sectional areas (CSA) of left and right internal jugular veins (IJV) were monitored. Self-generated LBNP, which requires mild to moderate physical activity, significantly elevated heart rate and blood pressure (p < 0.01). Self-generated LBNP also significantly reduced right IJV CSA compared to supine position (p = 0.005), though changes on the left side were not significant (p = 0.365). While the effects of SELF and traditional LBNP on IJV CSA were largely similar, traditional LBNP significantly reduced IJV CSA on both sides. Given its low mass, volume, and power requirements, SELF LBNP is a promising countermeasure against SANS. Results from this study warrant longer-term studies of SELF LBNP under simulated spaceflight conditions.

Orthopedics in Space Travel: Developing Procedures to Evaluate the Safety of Implants Amidst the Rise of Commercial Space Tourism

With the rise of commercial space tourism, the barrier of entry into space lowers. Therefore, passengers with more complex medical conditions are predicted to enter space. This report aims to initiate the development of procedures assessing the safety of space travel for individuals with orthopedic implants. In preparation for the 2023 sounding rocket launch by McGill Rocket Team, the Payload subteam developed a bone model, a human model, a finite element analysis model, and a testing model for determining the safety of orthopedic implants under the harsh conditions of spaceflight. Measuring the dynamic forces of the MRT's Portho's rocket in flight yielded vibrations in the 300-2750 Hz range, which is valuable for creating better models of the loading conditions on orthopedic implants in silico. Three point bending testing revealed high precision but low accuracy in measuring the mechanical strength of the models. Ultimately, the study recommends adjusting the human, bone, and testing models to prevent oversimplification. Further, future work should analyze bone screw interfaces on a microscopic level to detect small changes in implant stresses. By implementing these changes, procedures can accurately describe the safety of spaceflight for those with orthopedic implants.

Using single-sample networks to identify the contrasting patterns of gene interactions and reveal the radiation dose-dependent effects in multiple tissues of spaceflight mice

Transcriptome profiles are sensitive to space stressors and serve as valuable indicators of the biological effects during spaceflight. Herein, we transformed the expression profiles into gene interaction patterns by single-sample networks (SSNs) and performed the integrated analysis on the 301 spaceflight and 290 ground control samples, which were obtained from the GeneLab platform. Specifically, an individual SSN was established for each sample. Based on the topological structures of 591 SSNs, the differentially interacted genes (DIGs) were identified between spaceflights and ground controls. The results showed that spaceflight disrupted the gene interaction patterns in mice and resulted in significant enrichment of biological processes such as protein/amino acid metabolism and nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) metabolism (P-value < 0.05). We observed that the mice exposed to radiation doses within the three intervals (4.66–7.14, 7.592–8.295, 8.49–22.099 mGy) exhibited similar gene interaction patterns. Low and medium doses resulted in changes to the circadian rhythm, while the damaging effects on genetic material became more pronounced in higher doses. The gene interaction patterns in response to space stressors varied among different tissues, with the spleen, lung, and skin being the most responsive to space radiation (P-value < 0.01). The changes observed in gene networks during spaceflight conditions might contribute to the development of various diseases, such as mental disorders, depression, and metabolic disorders, among others. Additionally, organisms activated specific gene networks in response to virus reactivation. We identified several hub genes that were associated with circadian rhythms, suggesting that spaceflight could lead to substantial circadian rhythm dysregulation.

Construction of dose prediction model and identification of sensitive genes for space radiation based on single-sample networks under spaceflight conditions

Purpose To identify sensitive genes for space radiation, we integrated the transcriptomic samples of spaceflight mice from GeneLab and predicted the radiation doses absorbed by individuals in space. Methods and materials A single-sample network (SSN) for each individual sample was constructed. Then, using machine learning and genetic algorithms, we built the regression models to predict the absorbed dose equivalent based on the topological structure of SSNs. Moreover, we analyzed the SSNs from each tissue and compared the similarities and differences among them. Results Our model exhibited excellent performance with the following metrics: R 2 = 0.980 , MSE = 6.74 e − 04 , and the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.990 (p value <.0001) between predicted and actual values. We identified 20 key genes, the majority of which had been proven to be associated with radiation. However, we uniquely established them as space radiation sensitive genes for the first time. Through further analysis of the SSNs, we discovered that the different tissues exhibited distinct mechanisms in response to space stressors. Conclusions The topology structures of SSNs effectively predicted radiation doses under spaceflight conditions, and the SSNs revealed the gene regulatory patterns within the organisms under space stressors.

Changes in the pattern of sleep disturbances in healthy subjects under 21-day antiorthostatic hypokinesia

Background. Antiorthostatic hypokinesia (ANOH) reproduces some of the effects of weightlessness on the human body and is used to study adaptation to space flight conditions. It is known that ANOH affects nighttime sleep, but there is no information in the literature on the sequence of occurrence of sleep disorders in ANOH.The aim of the research was to study the dynamics of subjective changes in assessing sleep quality under conditions of antiorthostatic hypokinesia.Materials and methods. Six healthy male volunteers (age from 26 to 34 years) participated in the experiment with 21-day ANOH. They were on a medical bed with a body inclination angle relative to the horizon of –6° for 21 days. To assess sleep quality, a structured questionnaire was used that assessed sleep duration, rate of falling asleep, night awakenings, the presence of daytime sleepiness, and daytime falling asleep.Results. Based on the assessment of the dynamics of the sleep efficiency index (SEI), three stages of adaptation were identified. At the stage of acute adaptation (the first 3 days), there is a decrease in SEI from 96.4 to 91.3 (p &lt; 0.01), a statistically significant prolongation of falling asleep from 17.6 to 33.6 minutes (p &lt; 0.01), an increase duration of night awakenings up to 17.4 minutes, increase in daytime sleepiness by 11 %. In the next 3 days (the “recovery” stage), there is a statistically significant increase in SEI compared to the 1st stage to 94.7 (p &lt; 0.01), but it remains statistically significantly lower than the background values (p &lt; 0.004). The number of complaints about daytime sleepiness increases (up to 42 %), evening bedtime shifts later by 26 minutes. At the 3rd stage (the remaining nights) there is a relative stabilization of the sleep-wake cycle.Conclusion. Under conditions of 21-day ANOH, a gradual change in the pattern of sleep disturbances occurs. The most negative changes in terms of subjective assessment were noted in the first three days. Then there is an improvement in falling asleep, a decrease in night awakenings, combined with an increase in daytime sleepiness and the formation of a schedule with a later bedtime.

Integrating evolutionarily conserved mechanism of response to radiation for exploring novel Caenorhabditis elegans radiation-responsive genes for estimation of radiation dose associated with spaceflight

During space exploration, space radiation is widely recognized as an inescapable perilous stressor, owing to its capacity to induce genomic DNA damage and escalate the likelihood of detrimental health outcomes. Rapid and reliable estimation of space radiation dose holds paramount significance in accurately assessing the health risks associated with spaceflight. However, the identification of space radiation-responsive genes, with their potential to serve as early indicators for diagnosing radiation dose associated with spaceflight, continues to pose a significant challenge. In this study, based on the evolutionarily conserved mechanism of radiation response, an in silico analysis method of homologous comparison was performed to identify the Caenorhabditis elegans orthologues of human radiation-responsive genes with possible roles in the major processes of response to radiation, and thereby to explore the potential C. elegans radiation-responsive genes for evaluating the levels of space radiation exposure. The results showed that there were 60 known C. elegans radiation-responsive genes and 211 C. elegans orthologues of human radiation-responsive genes implicated in the major processes of response to radiation. Through an investigation of all available transcriptomic datasets obtained from space-flown C. elegans, it was observed that the expression levels of the majority of these putative C. elegans radiation-responsive genes identified in this study were notably changed across various spaceflight conditions. Furthermore, this study indicated that within the identified genes, 19 known C. elegans radiation-responsive genes and 40 newly identified C. elegans orthologues of human radiation-responsive genes exhibited a remarkable positive correlation with the duration of spaceflight. Moreover, a noteworthy presence of substantial multi-collinearity among the majority of these identified genes was observed. This observation lends support to the possibility of treating each identified gene as an independent indicator of radiation dose in space. Ultimately, a subset of 15 potential radiation-responsive genes was identified, presenting the most promising indicators for estimation of radiation dose associated with spaceflight in C. elegans.

Diacylglycerol kinase is downregulated in the Drosophila Seizure Mutant during Spaceflight

Abstract Accelerated aging in space is detrimental to long-term space missions. The environmental conditions in space (e.g., microgravity and radiation) cause harmful effects similar to those seen during aging. As the mechanistic pathways underlying accelerated aging in spaceflight are not fully understood, the identification of critical targets for promoting longevity in spaceflight remains challenging. We analyzed genomics data from the GLDS-207 project to identify potential targets related to longevity. Analysis of RNA-seq data from four Drosophila variants using the GeneLab Galaxy platform indicated that spaceflight significantly affected differential gene expression in the heads of flies, specifically in the seizure (sei) mutant, which alters the voltage gated potassium channels in the cell membrane. Spaceflight induced a significant decrease in the expression of the retinal degeneration A gene (rdgA) in mutant flies that survived the 30-day space mission. This gene encodes for the protein diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), which modulates the activation of the mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, known to negatively regulate aging. Therefore, DGK may be a potential target for promoting longevity in space conditions. Further investigation of the effects of decreased rdgA expression on the lifespan of other organisms under spaceflight conditions will clarify the role of DGK in promoting longevity.

Изменение эмоционального состояния испытателей по лицевым экспрессиям в условиях 7-суточной сухой иммерсии

Background. The problem of precise and reliable evaluation of the emotional state of operators in spaceflight conditions still remains unresolved, and therefore relevant. This evaluation is especially important for predicting operators` professional activity effectiveness considering the current emotional state which significantly determines the accuracy and rapidity of professional tasks performance. Objectives. Our study is carried out to empirically test the new method and technology for evaluating changes in the emotional state of the 7-day experiment participants measuring facial expression changes in their DPC-video interview recordings. Study Participants. The study involved 10 men aged 25 to 35 years. Volunteers were selected by the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences as participants in the research. Methods. DPC video interviews were conducted daily in the morning and in the evening. Facial expression changes evaluation was conducted with the EmoRadar software which detects FACS action units (AUs), seven basic emotions and other patterns of facial activity. Results. The description of facial expression changes in the experiment are given based on the data from two participants. These changes were compared with the emotional experience of the participants and experimental conditions. The necessity of differentiated evaluation of the positive emotion of happiness is shown since its assessments may include not only happiness as a basic emotion, but also two expressions of smiles (social smile or coy smile) similar to it. The effectiveness of the software used and the author's approach to computer analysis of facial activity is clearly shown. Conclusions. With the help of the developed technology based on the implementation of a comprehensive approach to measurement and interpretation of facial expressions, it is possible to provide objective information about characteristic changes in facial expressions as reliable behavioral indicators of a person's emotional state. The data are independent of respondents' self-assessments or expert’s experience. This opens up new methodological possibilities for aerospace psychology to solve the problem of automatic monitoring of the emotional state of operators.

Strategic Aspects of Space Medicine: A Journey from Conventional to Futuristic Requisites

Space-travel system comes with a number of difficulties that endanger the astronauts' survival in the intensely radiative environment by adversely affecting their physiological functions such as muscle deterioration, bone loss, kidney stones, infection, genetic disorder, and cardiovascular adaptation. The maintenance of pharmaceutical stability is a crucial parameter to prevent faster degradation processes of therapeutics, loss of active medication potency, and time-dependent alterations in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies attributing to varied physiological changes under microgravity. The desired long shelf-life of medications and the stability studies cannot be completely based on terrestrial environment guidelines but rather include unique spaceflight conditions like microgravity, excessive radiation especially the galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events, vacuum, and variations in relative humidity. This review article mainly focuses on the sources and effects of instability-causing factors like humidity, temperature, radiation, and microgravity with cutting-edge solutions to address such problems using currently practiced methods and advanced future potential innovations. The future outlook of space medicine using technology as its backbone includes 3D printing, Bio-MOD systems, in vitro transcription, CRISPR, and tissue-on-chip and nano-implantable devices for the development of just-in-time and personalized medicines. The researchers and organizations around the globe like Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), European Space Agency (ESA), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), and National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) are strategizing and envisaging the various vicissitudes for the development of space medicine.

Oral Health in Zero Gravity: A Comprehensive Review of Orofacial Effects and Countermeasures in Spaceflights.

Space is a complex and challenging setting encompassing the region beyond Earth's atmosphere where astronauts and spacecraft operate. The unique conditions of spaceflights, particularly microgravity and radiation, pose significant challenges to astronaut health, including the orofacial region. It has effects on saliva production, microbial composition, and oral hygiene practices, which influence oral health status, such as increased risk of dental caries, gum diseases, oral discomfort, temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, sialoliths, painand dysesthesia in the teeth and oral mucosa, masticatory muscle atrophy, and oral cancer which can be detrimental during prolonged missions. Hence, a comprehensive approach to dental care in space is imperative to ensure astronauts' well-being and overall health as we strive to extend our presence beyond Earth. This literature review paper sheds light on the intricate effects of space on the orofacial region and delves into the unique challenges astronauts face in upholding optimal oral health while in space. It explores the current state of dentistry in space and discusses advancements and strategies that aim to maintain optimal oral health for astronauts during extended space missions.

Vibrotactile feedback as a countermeasure for spatial disorientation.

Spaceflight can make astronauts susceptible to spatial disorientation which is one of the leading causes of fatal aircraft accidents. In our experiment, blindfolded participants used a joystick to balance themselves while inside a multi-axis rotation device (MARS) in either the vertical or horizontal roll plane. On Day 1, in the vertical roll plane (Earth analog condition) participants could use gravitational cues and therefore had a good sense of their orientation. On Day 2, in the horizontal roll plane (spaceflight analog condition) participants could not use gravitational cues and rapidly became disoriented and showed minimal learning and poor performance. One potential countermeasure for spatial disorientation is vibrotactile feedback that conveys body orientation provided by small vibrating devices applied to the skin. Orientation-dependent vibrotactile feedback provided to one group enhanced performance in the spaceflight condition but the participants reported a conflict between the accurate vibrotactile cues and their erroneous perception of their orientation. Specialized vibrotactile training on Day 1 provided to another group resulted in significantly better learning and performance in the spaceflight analog task with vibrotactile cueing. In this training, participants in the Earth analog condition on Day 1 were required to disengage from the task of aligning with the gravitational vertical encoded by natural vestibular/somatosensory afference and had to align with randomized non-vertical directions of balance signaled by vibrotactile feedback. At the end of Day 2, we deactivated the vibrotactile feedback after both vibration-cued groups had practiced with it in the spaceflight analog condition. They performed as well as the group who did not have any vibrotactile feedback. We conclude that after appropriate training, vibrotactile orientation feedback augments dynamic spatial orientation and does not lead to any negative dependence.

The Concept of Allostasis and Autonomic Regulation in Space Flight

The review presents literature sources confirming the key aspects of the theory of allostasis and its relationship with the theory of homeostasis, as well as some neurophysiological aspects of allostatic systems, include autonomic regulation, which determine the relationship between the brain and the cardiovascular system. One of the aspects of allostatic regulation is heart rate variability, which reflects the state of the body’s plastic constants and their changes under space flight conditions.

Changes in the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Aqueous Solutions under the Influence of Factors Modeling the Conditions of Space Flight

Changes in the Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Aqueous Solutions under the Influence of Factors Modeling the Conditions of Space Flight