Pub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-04-26DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.009
Floriane Poignant , Janice L. Huff , Stephen R. Kunkel , Ianik Plante , Tony C. Slaba
<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Radiation-induced carcinogenesis remains one of the main hurdles for long duration missions in deep space. The space radiation environment is diverse and includes high linear energy transfer (LET) ions that are particularly effective at inducing adverse health outcomes including cancer. Quantifying the health effects of these high-LET ions is difficult, and large uncertainties remain in cancer risk projections. Chromosome aberrations are a biomarker of radiation-induced cancer used to assess radiation quality effects. Fluorescence <em>in situ</em> hybridization (FISH) measurements of simple and complex exchanges have inherent detection limitations that might underestimate the overall number of chromosomal rearrangements, possibly affecting estimates of the relative biological effectiveness of high-LET ions.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>In this work, we introduced a new chromosome aberration classification approach in the simulation code RITCARD (Radiation induced tracks, chromosome aberrations, repair, and damage), that accounts for FISH detection threshold and the use of different chromosome painting probes. We also modified our 3D nuclear architecture model using Hi-C data to generate the DNA distribution within cell nuclei with the tool G-NOME. This new approach allowed the discrimination of true simple and complex exchanges from apparently simple exchanges (complex exchanges detected as simple), as well as undetected exchanges.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We compared the results of this new classification method in the RITCARD tool with experimental FISH data obtained for the staining of 3 pairs of chromosomes (referred to as 3-FISH), and found an overall good agreement of the total exchanges for fibroblasts (hTERT 82-6) and lymphocytes (whole blood) for high LET ions, a slight underestimation in the low LET range (< ∼ 20 keV/µm), and a slight imbalance between simple and complex exchanges for lymphocytes. The model reproduced well the higher yield of aberrations for lymphocytes, compared to fibroblasts. Remarkably, in our model, this higher yield was solely due to differences in nuclear geometries and repair time between the two cell types, both derived from experimental data. For both cell types, we observed an increased number of complex exchanges detected as simple, and an increased number of undetected simple exchanges for high LET ions when we increased the detection threshold. For lymphocytes, this resulted in an overall increased number of simple exchanges, while, for fibroblasts, simple exchanges remained largely unchanged. Overall, the number of total exchanges decreased with increased detection threshold for both cell types. We also found that, for high LET ions, the majority of detected simple exchanges were true complex exchanges, due to many intra-chromosomal rearrangements that are undetected with traditional FISH technique.</div></div><div><h3>Perspectives</h3><div>Our
{"title":"Effect of fluorescence in situ hybridization detection threshold on chromosome aberration counting: a simulation study","authors":"Floriane Poignant , Janice L. Huff , Stephen R. Kunkel , Ianik Plante , Tony C. Slaba","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Radiation-induced carcinogenesis remains one of the main hurdles for long duration missions in deep space. The space radiation environment is diverse and includes high linear energy transfer (LET) ions that are particularly effective at inducing adverse health outcomes including cancer. Quantifying the health effects of these high-LET ions is difficult, and large uncertainties remain in cancer risk projections. Chromosome aberrations are a biomarker of radiation-induced cancer used to assess radiation quality effects. Fluorescence <em>in situ</em> hybridization (FISH) measurements of simple and complex exchanges have inherent detection limitations that might underestimate the overall number of chromosomal rearrangements, possibly affecting estimates of the relative biological effectiveness of high-LET ions.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>In this work, we introduced a new chromosome aberration classification approach in the simulation code RITCARD (Radiation induced tracks, chromosome aberrations, repair, and damage), that accounts for FISH detection threshold and the use of different chromosome painting probes. We also modified our 3D nuclear architecture model using Hi-C data to generate the DNA distribution within cell nuclei with the tool G-NOME. This new approach allowed the discrimination of true simple and complex exchanges from apparently simple exchanges (complex exchanges detected as simple), as well as undetected exchanges.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We compared the results of this new classification method in the RITCARD tool with experimental FISH data obtained for the staining of 3 pairs of chromosomes (referred to as 3-FISH), and found an overall good agreement of the total exchanges for fibroblasts (hTERT 82-6) and lymphocytes (whole blood) for high LET ions, a slight underestimation in the low LET range (< ∼ 20 keV/µm), and a slight imbalance between simple and complex exchanges for lymphocytes. The model reproduced well the higher yield of aberrations for lymphocytes, compared to fibroblasts. Remarkably, in our model, this higher yield was solely due to differences in nuclear geometries and repair time between the two cell types, both derived from experimental data. For both cell types, we observed an increased number of complex exchanges detected as simple, and an increased number of undetected simple exchanges for high LET ions when we increased the detection threshold. For lymphocytes, this resulted in an overall increased number of simple exchanges, while, for fibroblasts, simple exchanges remained largely unchanged. Overall, the number of total exchanges decreased with increased detection threshold for both cell types. We also found that, for high LET ions, the majority of detected simple exchanges were true complex exchanges, due to many intra-chromosomal rearrangements that are undetected with traditional FISH technique.</div></div><div><h3>Perspectives</h3><div>Our","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 154-168"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In deep space environments such as the Moon and Mars, secondary radiation generated by interactions between galactic cosmic rays and spacecraft walls or planetary surfaces presents a significant challenge. In particular, the effects of neutron radiation remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the impact of neutron radiation on pharmaceuticals, specifically the general anesthetic propofol (2,6-Diisopropylphenol). Neutron irradiation experiments were conducted using the RIKEN Accelerator-driven compact Neutron Source (RANS), employing fast neutrons with energies of 1–5 MeV at doses up to 4 Gy. Analyses employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), colorimetric assessment, micelle particle size measurement via optical microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detected no discernible alterations in the molecular structure of propofol. Furthermore radiological activation analysis using Geiger-Müller (GM) counters and γ-ray spectral analysis with the germanium detector (Ge) indicated minimal radionuclide generation in the pharmaceutical itself, however significant activation was observed in glass vials. These findings highlight container activation as a critical risk factor in the storage and transportation of pharmaceuticals in space environments.
{"title":"Effects of neutron radiation on pharmaceuticals in deep space-like environments - general anesthesia in space","authors":"Machiko Hatsuda , Masashi Hasegawa , Kimiaki Nakamura , Fumiyuki Yamakura , Tomohiro Kobayashi , Takaoki Takanashi , Yasuo Wakabayashi , Yoshie Otake , Toshio Naito , Hiroyuki Daida","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In deep space environments such as the Moon and Mars, secondary radiation generated by interactions between galactic cosmic rays and spacecraft walls or planetary surfaces presents a significant challenge. In particular, the effects of neutron radiation remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the impact of neutron radiation on pharmaceuticals, specifically the general anesthetic propofol (2,6-Diisopropylphenol). Neutron irradiation experiments were conducted using the RIKEN Accelerator-driven compact Neutron Source (RANS), employing fast neutrons with energies of 1–5 MeV at doses up to 4 Gy. Analyses employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), colorimetric assessment, micelle particle size measurement via optical microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detected no discernible alterations in the molecular structure of propofol. Furthermore radiological activation analysis using Geiger-Müller (GM) counters and γ-ray spectral analysis with the germanium detector (Ge) indicated minimal radionuclide generation in the pharmaceutical itself, however significant activation was observed in glass vials. These findings highlight container activation as a critical risk factor in the storage and transportation of pharmaceuticals in space environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 61-73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.009
Joshua M. Venegas, Mark Rosenberg
A unique constellation of ocular structural changes and visual anomalies known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) affects 70 % of crew members after long-duration spaceflight. Current hypotheses regarding the etiology of SANS discuss cephalad fluid shifts and venous congestion, which are correlated with elevated intra-cranial pressure (ICP) and enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS). These PVS comprise the glymphatic system (GS), a recently discovered network of influx and efflux pathways for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and metabolites in the central nervous system (CNS). Both glymphatic clearance and traditionally understood CSF circulation are affected by sleep-wake cycles, displaying a significant increase in fluid flow during sleep. Natural sleep has been associated with a 60 % increase in interstitial space in animal studies, which likely enhances GS exchange and outflow. Corresponding studies in humans using contrast-enhanced MRI associate sleep with greater glymphatic clearance compared to wakefulness. The sleep problems of astronauts during long-duration spaceflight have been well documented, ranging from sleep disruption and decreased quality to insufficient sleep duration. With recent terrestrial studies providing evidence that sleep deprivation impairs molecular clearance from the human brain, it follows that similar glymphatic dysfunction may arise due to these conditions in astronauts. Thus, in addition to impairing crew member work performance on long-duration space missions, sleep deprivation may exert long-term neuro-ocular effects via decreased glymphatic efficiency and clearance. The adverse impact of the resulting cognitive and visual disturbances presents a major future performance risk to astronauts. This work discusses the existing body of literature regarding the connections between circadian disruption and glymphatic disruption as a potential contributing mechanism for the development of SANS. This association should receive focused attention in future research as a potential risk factor for SANS. In addition, interventions that enhance extraterrestrial sleep quality and duration may prove to be practical countermeasures for the prevention of this syndrome.
{"title":"Sleep deprivation and glymphatic system dysfunction as a risk factor for SANS during long-duration spaceflight","authors":"Joshua M. Venegas, Mark Rosenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A unique constellation of ocular structural changes and visual anomalies known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) affects 70 % of crew members after long-duration spaceflight. Current hypotheses regarding the etiology of SANS discuss cephalad fluid shifts and venous congestion, which are correlated with elevated intra-cranial pressure (ICP) and enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS). These PVS comprise the glymphatic system (GS), a recently discovered network of influx and efflux pathways for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and metabolites in the central nervous system (CNS). Both glymphatic clearance and traditionally understood CSF circulation are affected by sleep-wake cycles, displaying a significant increase in fluid flow during sleep. Natural sleep has been associated with a 60 % increase in interstitial space in animal studies, which likely enhances GS exchange and outflow. Corresponding studies in humans using contrast-enhanced MRI associate sleep with greater glymphatic clearance compared to wakefulness. The sleep problems of astronauts during long-duration spaceflight have been well documented, ranging from sleep disruption and decreased quality to insufficient sleep duration. With recent terrestrial studies providing evidence that sleep deprivation impairs molecular clearance from the human brain, it follows that similar glymphatic dysfunction may arise due to these conditions in astronauts. Thus, in addition to impairing crew member work performance on long-duration space missions, sleep deprivation may exert long-term neuro-ocular effects via decreased glymphatic efficiency and clearance. The adverse impact of the resulting cognitive and visual disturbances presents a major future performance risk to astronauts. This work discusses the existing body of literature regarding the connections between circadian disruption and glymphatic disruption as a potential contributing mechanism for the development of SANS. This association should receive focused attention in future research as a potential risk factor for SANS. In addition, interventions that enhance extraterrestrial sleep quality and duration may prove to be practical countermeasures for the prevention of this syndrome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 39-42"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143748208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-09DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2025.05.005
Joshua Ong , Thomas Mader , Charles Robert Gibson , Alex Suh , Nicholas Panzo , Hamza Memon , Ryung Lee , Benjamin Soares , Ethan Waisberg , Ritu Sampige , Tuan Nguyen , Cihan Kadipasaoglu , Yannie Guo , Kelsey Vineyard , Mouayad Masalkhi , Daniela Osteicoechea , Gianmarco Vizzeri , Patricia Chévez-Barrios , John Berdahl , Donald C. Barker , Andrew G. Lee
Ocular health is critical for overall astronaut health requirements given its essential role for mission performance and safety. The ocular surface is a vital structure to the visual system and is essential for ocular protection and the refraction of light for focused vision. Data from the 2024 NASA Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health identified that Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts (N = 257) queried during post-flight eye exams reported symptoms of eye irritation (34 %), dry eyes (14 %), and foreign body sensation (21 %). Given these findings, it is critical to understand the risks that the ocular surface faces in the spaceflight environment. This manuscript explores the impact of lunar dust, space radiation, lunar gravity, and microgravity on the astronaut ocular surface. Furthermore, we outline ongoing efforts to minimize associated health risks given our insights into the vision standards, testing procedures, corrective measures, and mitigations designed for the lunar surface and microgravity environments. We further discuss the ophthalmic medications available on space missions to address threats to the ocular surface. We also report personal insights from Dr. Harrison Schmitt, NASA astronaut and Apollo 17 moonwalker, on his experience in space and lunar dust human physiological interactions. Additionally, given the known physiologic changes in microgravity and expectations for partial gravity environments, our review prompted characterization of accelerated aging and gut microbiome on the development of dry eye. We also discuss the potential expansion of ophthalmic imaging capabilities during spaceflight missions and its utility. Addressing these factors is critical to uphold astronauts' ocular health and to ensure the safety of future space missions.
{"title":"The ocular surface during spaceflight: Post-mission symptom report, extraterrestrial risks, and in-flight therapeutics","authors":"Joshua Ong , Thomas Mader , Charles Robert Gibson , Alex Suh , Nicholas Panzo , Hamza Memon , Ryung Lee , Benjamin Soares , Ethan Waisberg , Ritu Sampige , Tuan Nguyen , Cihan Kadipasaoglu , Yannie Guo , Kelsey Vineyard , Mouayad Masalkhi , Daniela Osteicoechea , Gianmarco Vizzeri , Patricia Chévez-Barrios , John Berdahl , Donald C. Barker , Andrew G. Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.05.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.05.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ocular health is critical for overall astronaut health requirements given its essential role for mission performance and safety. The ocular surface is a vital structure to the visual system and is essential for ocular protection and the refraction of light for focused vision. Data from the 2024 NASA Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health identified that Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts (<em>N</em> = 257) queried during post-flight eye exams reported symptoms of eye irritation (34 %), dry eyes (14 %), and foreign body sensation (21 %). Given these findings, it is critical to understand the risks that the ocular surface faces in the spaceflight environment. This manuscript explores the impact of lunar dust, space radiation, lunar gravity, and microgravity on the astronaut ocular surface. Furthermore, we outline ongoing efforts to minimize associated health risks given our insights into the vision standards, testing procedures, corrective measures, and mitigations designed for the lunar surface and microgravity environments. We further discuss the ophthalmic medications available on space missions to address threats to the ocular surface. We also report personal insights from Dr. Harrison Schmitt, NASA astronaut and Apollo 17 moonwalker, on his experience in space and lunar dust human physiological interactions. Additionally, given the known physiologic changes in microgravity and expectations for partial gravity environments, our review prompted characterization of accelerated aging and gut microbiome on the development of dry eye. We also discuss the potential expansion of ophthalmic imaging capabilities during spaceflight missions and its utility. Addressing these factors is critical to uphold astronauts' ocular health and to ensure the safety of future space missions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 169-186"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-07-11DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2025.07.004
{"title":"From the desk of the editor in chief","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Page 201"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144633358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-03-19DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.007
Yasumasa Ikeda , Masafumi Funamoto , Mizuho Yamamoto , Hai Du Ly-Nguyen , Masaki Imanishi , Koichiro Tsuchiya
Background
With the advancement of the space age, research on physiological changes during long-term space missions has become increasingly important. Spaceflight-induced anemia, along with muscle and bone loss, is a significant concern for astronaut health, potentially disrupting iron metabolism and absorption. However, the mechanisms underlying intestinal iron absorption in space remain unclear.
Aim
This study investigated iron dynamics in the duodenum and bone marrow of mice exposed to partial gravity (PG) to assess potential alterations in iron absorption and storage.
Methods
Using samples provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Kibo mouse sample share), we analyzed duodenal and bone marrow tissues from mice reared in PG (1/6G) and compared them to those of mice reared in ground gravity (control gravity (CG): 1G). We conducted Perls staining to visualize iron distribution, measured iron concentrations, and analyzed iron regulatory proteins (ferritin heavy chain, divalent metal transporter 1, and ferroportin) using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting.
Results
Iron staining, concentration, and ferritin heavy chain expression in the duodenum were reduced in the PG group compared with those in the CG group. The expression of iron transporters (divalent metal protein 1 and ferroportin) was also attenuated. Furthermore, the PG group showed fewer macrophages and more goblet cells in duodenal villi. Stainability of iron and ferritin heavy chain expression in the sternal bone marrow similarly decreased in the PG group.
Conclusion
These findings indicate reduced iron retention in the duodenum under partial gravity, suggesting that the space environment may impair iron absorption.
{"title":"Changes of iron dynamics in the duodenum and bone marrow under partial gravity condition in mice","authors":"Yasumasa Ikeda , Masafumi Funamoto , Mizuho Yamamoto , Hai Du Ly-Nguyen , Masaki Imanishi , Koichiro Tsuchiya","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>With the advancement of the space age, research on physiological changes during long-term space missions has become increasingly important. Spaceflight-induced anemia, along with muscle and bone loss, is a significant concern for astronaut health, potentially disrupting iron metabolism and absorption. However, the mechanisms underlying intestinal iron absorption in space remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study investigated iron dynamics in the duodenum and bone marrow of mice exposed to partial gravity (PG) to assess potential alterations in iron absorption and storage.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using samples provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Kibo mouse sample share), we analyzed duodenal and bone marrow tissues from mice reared in PG (1/6G) and compared them to those of mice reared in ground gravity (control gravity (CG): 1G). We conducted Perls staining to visualize iron distribution, measured iron concentrations, and analyzed iron regulatory proteins (ferritin heavy chain, divalent metal transporter 1, and ferroportin) using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Iron staining, concentration, and ferritin heavy chain expression in the duodenum were reduced in the PG group compared with those in the CG group. The expression of iron transporters (divalent metal protein 1 and ferroportin) was also attenuated. Furthermore, the PG group showed fewer macrophages and more goblet cells in duodenal villi. Stainability of iron and ferritin heavy chain expression in the sternal bone marrow similarly decreased in the PG group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings indicate reduced iron retention in the duodenum under partial gravity, suggesting that the space environment may impair iron absorption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 10-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143737864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Provision of safe and nutritious food for space missions is very critical; failure to provide the appropriate food along with suitable delivery and disposal systems may cause risk and hamper the mission success or crew performance. The major requirements of space-specific foods include lightweight, compact size, quick preparation, ease of consumption, low fragmentation, high acceptability, wholesomeness, stability, variety, gastrointestinal compatibility, and safe food in a convenient form with longer shelf life. Significant developments have taken place in food technologies in the last few decades to attain more appealing and nutritious food. The technologies have gone beyond the normal cooking of foods to modern food processing and packaging technologies which enabled the food materials to remain safe for longer durations without affecting their nutritional and organoleptic attributes. Modern space food technologies have transformed the space food and delivery systems for low orbit crews to those stationed at the International Space Station. Research on the cultivation of fresh vegetables in space under microgravity conditions is also gaining momentum. In general, thermo-stabilized, irradiated, rehydratable, natural and fresh foods are preferred for space missions. These include ready-to-eat foods, beverages, juice powders, high-energy bars, instant mixes, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. These products need to be in strict compliance with the space standards in terms of nutritional and microbiological quality. Certain food delivery systems such as food rehydration stations, water/beverage dispensing assembly, provision of heating/cooling/serving of foods, etc. are also needed in space missions for optimal delivery of food materials. All these technologies are very critical under microgravity conditions for the consumption of food materials by space crews. This review provides an overview of space food history, design criteria, packaging methods, and emerging technologies supporting space mission advancements.
{"title":"Food technologies for space missions","authors":"Janifer Raj Xavier, Om Prakash Chauhan, Sahana Hevlin Shashikumar, Roopa Nagaraj, Anil Dutt Semwal","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Provision of safe and nutritious food for space missions is very critical; failure to provide the appropriate food along with suitable delivery and disposal systems may cause risk and hamper the mission success or crew performance. The major requirements of space-specific foods include lightweight, compact size, quick preparation, ease of consumption, low fragmentation, high acceptability, wholesomeness, stability, variety, gastrointestinal compatibility, and safe food in a convenient form with longer shelf life. Significant developments have taken place in food technologies in the last few decades to attain more appealing and nutritious food. The technologies have gone beyond the normal cooking of foods to modern food processing and packaging technologies which enabled the food materials to remain safe for longer durations without affecting their nutritional and organoleptic attributes. Modern space food technologies have transformed the space food and delivery systems for low orbit crews to those stationed at the International Space Station. Research on the cultivation of fresh vegetables in space under microgravity conditions is also gaining momentum. In general, thermo-stabilized, irradiated, rehydratable, natural and fresh foods are preferred for space missions. These include ready-to-eat foods, beverages, juice powders, high-energy bars, instant mixes, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. These products need to be in strict compliance with the space standards in terms of nutritional and microbiological quality. Certain food delivery systems such as food rehydration stations, water/beverage dispensing assembly, provision of heating/cooling/serving of foods, etc. are also needed in space missions for optimal delivery of food materials. All these technologies are very critical under microgravity conditions for the consumption of food materials by space crews. This review provides an overview of space food history, design criteria, packaging methods, and emerging technologies supporting space mission advancements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 145-153"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biological samples that can be stored for long periods are desirable for experiments in space because of the potential for postponement of space vehicle launches. In this study, we determined whether culturing goldfish scales at lower temperatures increased survival of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the scales without affecting their biological activities. After one-week storage of regenerated goldfish scales at 4 °C, both alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-positive osteoblasts and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated osteoclasts (active type of osteoclasts) were detectable. Importantly, the multinucleated osteoclasts formed actin rings and expressed cathepsin K, indicating that the osteoclasts had resorptive activity. Additionally, a one-week storage of goldfish scales at 4 °C showed little effect on osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities in the scales. Therefore, after one-week storage at 4 °C, the regenerated scales were treated with vibrational acceleration due to gravity (3 G) for 10 min and then incubated at 15 °C for 6 h. ALP and TRAP activities in the regenerated scales sensitively responded to 3 G hypergravity: compared to unexposed scales, ALP activity significantly increased and TRAP activity significantly decreased in the regenerated scales. Next, the regenerated scales were stored at 4 °C and launched on the space shuttle Atlantis STS-132 (ULF4) to study the effects of vibration (maximum 6.8 G, 2 min) and subsequent hypergravity (maximum 3 G, 8 min 30 s) induced by the launch process. The results showed the vibration and subsequent hypergravity increased significantly ALP activity in the regenerated scales at 4 °C. In addition, our experiment with the Cell Biology Experiment Facility in outer space revealed that osteoblast activity in the regenerated scales decreased in response to microgravity after 6 days-storage of the scale at 4 °C. These findings show that goldfish scales can be stored at 4 °C for around one week, while maintaining the responsiveness of the osteoblast and osteoclast in the scales to changes in gravity.
可以长期储存的生物样本对于空间实验来说是可取的，因为有可能推迟空间飞行器的发射。在这项研究中，我们确定了在低温下培养金鱼鳞片是否能提高鳞片中成骨细胞和破骨细胞的存活率，而不影响它们的生物活性。将再生的金鱼鳞片在4℃下保存一周后，可检测到碱性磷酸酶（ALP）阳性的成骨细胞和抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（TRAP）阳性的多核破骨细胞（活性型破骨细胞）。重要的是，多核破骨细胞形成肌动蛋白环并表达组织蛋白酶K，表明破骨细胞具有再吸收活性。此外，金鱼鳞片在4°C下储存一周对鳞片的成骨细胞和破骨细胞活性几乎没有影响。因此，在4℃下保存一周后，再生鳞片在重力（3g）振动加速下处理10分钟，然后在15℃下孵养6小时。再生鳞片的ALP和TRAP活性对3g超重力敏感：与未暴露鳞片相比，再生鳞片的ALP活性显著升高，TRAP活性显著降低。接下来，将再生的尺度在4°C下储存，并在亚特兰蒂斯号航天飞机STS-132 （ULF4）上发射，研究发射过程中引起的振动（最大6.8 G, 2 min）和随后的超重力（最大3 G， 8 min 30 s）的影响。结果表明，在4°C时，振动和随后的超重力显著增加了再生鳞片的ALP活性。此外，我们在外太空的细胞生物学实验设备上进行的实验表明，在4°C下保存6天后，再生鳞片中的成骨细胞活性在微重力下有所下降。这些研究结果表明，金鱼鳞片可以在4°C下保存一周左右，同时保持鳞片内成骨细胞和破骨细胞对重力变化的反应性。
{"title":"Goldfish regenerated scale culture at low temperatures improves osteoblast and osteoclast survival in scales without loss of the osteoblast and osteoclast response to changes in gravity","authors":"Nobuo Suzuki , Kouhei Kuroda , Mika Ikegame , Harumi Takino , Keito Tsunoda , Riku Izumi , Yoshiaki Tabuchi , Yukihiro Furusawa , Koji Yachiguchi , Masato Endo , Hajime Matsubara , Sachiko Yano , Toru Shimazu , Masato Honda , Yusuke Maruyama , Kazuki Watanabe , Akihisa Takahashi , Jun Hirayama , Atsuhiko Hattori","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biological samples that can be stored for long periods are desirable for experiments in space because of the potential for postponement of space vehicle launches. In this study, we determined whether culturing goldfish scales at lower temperatures increased survival of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the scales without affecting their biological activities. After one-week storage of regenerated goldfish scales at 4 °C, both alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-positive osteoblasts and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated osteoclasts (active type of osteoclasts) were detectable. Importantly, the multinucleated osteoclasts formed actin rings and expressed cathepsin K, indicating that the osteoclasts had resorptive activity. Additionally, a one-week storage of goldfish scales at 4 °C showed little effect on osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities in the scales. Therefore, after one-week storage at 4 °C, the regenerated scales were treated with vibrational acceleration due to gravity (3 G) for 10 min and then incubated at 15 °C for 6 h. ALP and TRAP activities in the regenerated scales sensitively responded to 3 G hypergravity: compared to unexposed scales, ALP activity significantly increased and TRAP activity significantly decreased in the regenerated scales. Next, the regenerated scales were stored at 4 °C and launched on the space shuttle Atlantis STS-132 (ULF4) to study the effects of vibration (maximum 6.8 G, 2 min) and subsequent hypergravity (maximum 3 G, 8 min 30 s) induced by the launch process. The results showed the vibration and subsequent hypergravity increased significantly ALP activity in the regenerated scales at 4 °C. In addition, our experiment with the Cell Biology Experiment Facility in outer space revealed that osteoblast activity in the regenerated scales decreased in response to microgravity after 6 days-storage of the scale at 4 °C. These findings show that goldfish scales can be stored at 4 °C for around one week, while maintaining the responsiveness of the osteoblast and osteoclast in the scales to changes in gravity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 128-136"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143843373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-04-15DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.003
Rong Liang , Jing Gao , Xiaohui Liu , Xinyao Li , Haonan Chang , Rongdian Yang , Jiajia Yang , Dong Ming
Long-term spaceflight poses significant challenges to astronauts' physical and mental health, resulting in physiological issues such as osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular dysfunction, as well as psychological problems like depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and cognitive decline. As the duration of space missions continues to increase, the above challenges cannot be ignored. Therefore, identifying effective regulatory measures is essential. This article provides a concise review of the latest domestic and international research on strategies to mitigate physiological and psychological risks in aerospace environment. Including coping strategies for musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and psychological problems, such as exercise, physical stimulation, psychotherapy, and medication, especially traditional Chinese medicine, which need to be further explored and applied. Its ultimate goal is to offer insights for ensuring the safe execution of space missions by astronauts and advancing the field of space medicine.
{"title":"Regulatory measures for mitigating physical and mental health impacts in aerospace environment: A systematic review","authors":"Rong Liang , Jing Gao , Xiaohui Liu , Xinyao Li , Haonan Chang , Rongdian Yang , Jiajia Yang , Dong Ming","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Long-term spaceflight poses significant challenges to astronauts' physical and mental health, resulting in physiological issues such as osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular dysfunction, as well as psychological problems like depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, and cognitive decline. As the duration of space missions continues to increase, the above challenges cannot be ignored. Therefore, identifying effective regulatory measures is essential. This article provides a concise review of the latest domestic and international research on strategies to mitigate physiological and psychological risks in aerospace environment. Including coping strategies for musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and psychological problems, such as exercise, physical stimulation, psychotherapy, and medication, especially traditional Chinese medicine, which need to be further explored and applied. Its ultimate goal is to offer insights for ensuring the safe execution of space missions by astronauts and advancing the field of space medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 106-114"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143828774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-03-17DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.003
I. Borromeo , A. Mentana , G. Baiocco , S. Beninati , V. Boretti , G. Cappadozzi , L. Di Fino , A. Facoetti , L. Lunati , M. Paci , M. Pinto , M. Pullia , A. Rizzo , G. Santi Amantini , S. Toma , L. Narici
Space radiation interactions with the visual system have been the subject of many investigations, starting from astronauts reporting the perception of light flashes (visual illusions in absence of light stimuli). These perceptions have been attributed to single-ion hits, able to induce an electrophysiological response in the eye. Searching for a more general mechanism of radiation interaction with cortical neuronal networks and with sensory systems, a valuable hypothesis is that of the perturbation to calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis.
We here report results on radiation-induced perturbation of Ca2+ signalling obtained with an ex-vivo whole rabbit eye model. Surgically enucleated eyes (from animals intended for human consumption) were kept in viable conditions and exposed to visible light (varying the duration of the exposure), to kilovoltage X-rays (reference radiation, dose range 10–200 mGy) and to 230 MeV protons (representative of the main component of space radiation, dose range 10–20 mGy). After extraction of the vitreous humor, sample stability and homogeneity in the animal population and organ conditions were verified by measuring the concentration of biogenic polyamines, while eye integrity was tested by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymatic activity. The activation of the visual response is attributed to a change in the Ca2+ concentration (expressed μg calcium/μg amines) comparing, for each animal, the left eye used as a control and the right eye exposed to light or ionizing radiation. The vitrectomy was conducted immediately after the exposure.
A significant increase in Ca2+ concentration was measured after white light exposure with a duration longer than 1 min, with a saturation to a ∼150 % relative change for exposure durations of 3 and 5 min. The model was therefore validated for the visual system activation by light, but no increase in Ca2+ concentration was found for ionizing radiation exposures in the investigated dose ranges. Only at the highest X-ray dose of 200 mGy, eyes were severely damaged, as demonstrated by the drastic increase in LDH activity. Based on these findings, the limitations of the study are critically discussed, and improvement strategies are suggested, also considering the rapid kinetics of the perturbation that might hinder the measurement of small ionizing radiation-induced transient Ca2+ changes.
{"title":"Activation of the visual system by space radiation: A novel study on Ca2+ signalling in ex-vivo rabbit eyes exposed to visible light, X-rays and high-energy protons","authors":"I. Borromeo , A. Mentana , G. Baiocco , S. Beninati , V. Boretti , G. Cappadozzi , L. Di Fino , A. Facoetti , L. Lunati , M. Paci , M. Pinto , M. Pullia , A. Rizzo , G. Santi Amantini , S. Toma , L. Narici","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Space radiation interactions with the visual system have been the subject of many investigations, starting from astronauts reporting the perception of light flashes (visual illusions in absence of light stimuli). These perceptions have been attributed to single-ion hits, able to induce an electrophysiological response in the eye. Searching for a more general mechanism of radiation interaction with cortical neuronal networks and with sensory systems, a valuable hypothesis is that of the perturbation to calcium (Ca<sup>2+</sup>) homeostasis.</div><div>We here report results on radiation-induced perturbation of Ca<sup>2+</sup> signalling obtained with an <em>ex-vivo</em> whole rabbit eye model. Surgically enucleated eyes (from animals intended for human consumption) were kept in viable conditions and exposed to visible light (varying the duration of the exposure), to kilovoltage X-rays (reference radiation, dose range 10–200 mGy) and to 230 MeV protons (representative of the main component of space radiation, dose range 10–20 mGy). After extraction of the vitreous humor, sample stability and homogeneity in the animal population and organ conditions were verified by measuring the concentration of biogenic polyamines, while eye integrity was tested by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymatic activity. The activation of the visual response is attributed to a change in the Ca<sup>2+</sup> concentration (expressed μg calcium/μg amines) comparing, for each animal, the left eye used as a control and the right eye exposed to light or ionizing radiation. The vitrectomy was conducted immediately after the exposure.</div><div>A significant increase in Ca<sup>2+</sup> concentration was measured after white light exposure with a duration longer than 1 min, with a saturation to a ∼150 % relative change for exposure durations of 3 and 5 min. The model was therefore validated for the visual system activation by light, but no increase in Ca<sup>2+</sup> concentration was found for ionizing radiation exposures in the investigated dose ranges. Only at the highest X-ray dose of 200 mGy, eyes were severely damaged, as demonstrated by the drastic increase in LDH activity. Based on these findings, the limitations of the study are critically discussed, and improvement strategies are suggested, also considering the rapid kinetics of the perturbation that might hinder the measurement of small ionizing radiation-induced transient Ca<sup>2+</sup> changes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"46 ","pages":"Pages 1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143737865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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