P. Llanos, K. Andrijauskaite, V. Duraisamy, Francisco F Pastrana, E. Seedhouse, S. Gangadharan, L. Bunegin, Mariel Rico
Abstract Cell Research Experiment In Microgravity (CRExIM) was launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital vehicle on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, from the West Texas Launch Site in Van Horn, Texas. One of the aims of this science experiment was to assess the effects of microgravity on murine T-cells during suborbital flight. These cells were placed in a NanoLab with a data logger that sensed the acceleration, temperature, and relative humidity during preflight, flight, and postflight operations. Some discrepancies in sensor measurement were noticed, and these errors were attributed partly to the difference in sampling rates and partly to the different locations of the sensors, which made it difficult to obtain highly accurate measurements of the accelerations and to correlate both sets of data. This paper discusses the setbacks and lessons learned, which made our team find new alternatives while meeting all milestones as mandated by NanoRacks and Blue Origin. This manuscript highlights these alternatives that led to the success of the mission and gives recommendations that will enable customers to alleviate some of these challenges in future flights.
{"title":"Challenges of ERAU’s First Suborbital Flight Aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard M7 for the Cell Research Experiment In Microgravity (CRExIM)","authors":"P. Llanos, K. Andrijauskaite, V. Duraisamy, Francisco F Pastrana, E. Seedhouse, S. Gangadharan, L. Bunegin, Mariel Rico","doi":"10.2478/gsr-2019-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2019-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Cell Research Experiment In Microgravity (CRExIM) was launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital vehicle on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, from the West Texas Launch Site in Van Horn, Texas. One of the aims of this science experiment was to assess the effects of microgravity on murine T-cells during suborbital flight. These cells were placed in a NanoLab with a data logger that sensed the acceleration, temperature, and relative humidity during preflight, flight, and postflight operations. Some discrepancies in sensor measurement were noticed, and these errors were attributed partly to the difference in sampling rates and partly to the different locations of the sensors, which made it difficult to obtain highly accurate measurements of the accelerations and to correlate both sets of data. This paper discusses the setbacks and lessons learned, which made our team find new alternatives while meeting all milestones as mandated by NanoRacks and Blue Origin. This manuscript highlights these alternatives that led to the success of the mission and gives recommendations that will enable customers to alleviate some of these challenges in future flights.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84487507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Christenson, Ritesh Sevanthi, A. Morse, A. Jackson
Abstract This work investigates the suitability of membrane aerated biological reactors (MABRs) for biological treatment of a space-based waste stream consisting of urine, hygiene/grey water, and humidity condensate within an overall water recycling system. Water represents a critical limiting factor for human habitation and travel within space; thus, water recycling systems are essential. Biological treatment of wastewater provides a more efficient sustainable means of stabilizing the waste stream within water recycling system architectures in comparison to current chemical stabilization processes that utilize harsh chemicals, which represent both a hazardous and an unsustainable approach. To assess the capabilities of MABRs for providing microgravity compatible biological treatment and verify long duration operation and integration with desalination processes, two full-scale MABR systems were challenged with various loading rates and operational scenarios during sustained operation for over 1 year. The MABRs were able to maintain 196 g-C/m3-d and 194 g-N/m3-d volumetric conversion rates. Additionally the systems were able to handle intermittent loading and recover rapidly from system hibernation periods of up to 27 days. Overall, the use of MABRs within a wastewater treatment system architecture provides several potential benefits including minimizing the use of toxic chemical pretreatment solutions and providing an effluent solution that is easier to desalinate and dewater.
{"title":"Assessment of Membrane-Aerated Biological Reactors (MABRs) for Integration into Space-Based Water Recycling System Architectures","authors":"D. Christenson, Ritesh Sevanthi, A. Morse, A. Jackson","doi":"10.2478/gsr-2018-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2018-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This work investigates the suitability of membrane aerated biological reactors (MABRs) for biological treatment of a space-based waste stream consisting of urine, hygiene/grey water, and humidity condensate within an overall water recycling system. Water represents a critical limiting factor for human habitation and travel within space; thus, water recycling systems are essential. Biological treatment of wastewater provides a more efficient sustainable means of stabilizing the waste stream within water recycling system architectures in comparison to current chemical stabilization processes that utilize harsh chemicals, which represent both a hazardous and an unsustainable approach. To assess the capabilities of MABRs for providing microgravity compatible biological treatment and verify long duration operation and integration with desalination processes, two full-scale MABR systems were challenged with various loading rates and operational scenarios during sustained operation for over 1 year. The MABRs were able to maintain 196 g-C/m3-d and 194 g-N/m3-d volumetric conversion rates. Additionally the systems were able to handle intermittent loading and recover rapidly from system hibernation periods of up to 27 days. Overall, the use of MABRs within a wastewater treatment system architecture provides several potential benefits including minimizing the use of toxic chemical pretreatment solutions and providing an effluent solution that is easier to desalinate and dewater.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78768750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joshua N. Sines, Benjamin J. Straiton, Christopher E. Zuccarelli, Q. Marashdeh, F. Teixeira, L. Fan, B. Motil
Abstract Passive cyclonic gas-liquid separators (PCGLSs) are commonly used in microgravity conditions where gravity settling separation is difficult or impossible. In this study, displacement-current phase tomography (DCPT) is used to measure various features of the gas-liquid flow inside of a PCGLS. The liquid holdup, liquid angular velocity, and gas core size are investigated. The liquid holdup is also measured in a gas-liquid flow that simulates the injection flow for a PCGLS. It is found that the gas core contracts and expands in a periodic motion as air is injected with water. This motion becomes more noticeable as the air flow rate is increased. It is also found that the liquid layer angular velocity has a positive linear trend with the air flow rate under constant water flow rates. A basic linear relation is derived to relate the liquid angular velocity to the air and water flow rates. All DCPT and electrical capacitance phase tomography (ECVT) results closely match the visual confirmation methods used for each flow feature.
{"title":"Study of Gas-Water Flow Inside of a Horizontal Passive Cyclonic Gas-Liquid Phase Separator System Using Displacement-Current Phase Tomography","authors":"Joshua N. Sines, Benjamin J. Straiton, Christopher E. Zuccarelli, Q. Marashdeh, F. Teixeira, L. Fan, B. Motil","doi":"10.2478/gsr-2018-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2018-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Passive cyclonic gas-liquid separators (PCGLSs) are commonly used in microgravity conditions where gravity settling separation is difficult or impossible. In this study, displacement-current phase tomography (DCPT) is used to measure various features of the gas-liquid flow inside of a PCGLS. The liquid holdup, liquid angular velocity, and gas core size are investigated. The liquid holdup is also measured in a gas-liquid flow that simulates the injection flow for a PCGLS. It is found that the gas core contracts and expands in a periodic motion as air is injected with water. This motion becomes more noticeable as the air flow rate is increased. It is also found that the liquid layer angular velocity has a positive linear trend with the air flow rate under constant water flow rates. A basic linear relation is derived to relate the liquid angular velocity to the air and water flow rates. All DCPT and electrical capacitance phase tomography (ECVT) results closely match the visual confirmation methods used for each flow feature.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74775025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract International Space Station crewmembers experience microgravity, resulting in musculoskeletal losses. It remains unclear how much mechanical loading during disuse is sufficient to mitigate disuse-induced bone loss. We examined 75 minutes of weight-bearing per day on disuse-induced bone loss during hindlimb unloading (HU). Female C57BL/6J mice, 17 weeks (n=10/group), were exposed to HU for 28 days or were ambulatory controls (CC). Half of the HU animals were continuously unloaded while the remainder were removed from tail suspension for ~75 min/day for cage activity weight-bearing (HU+WB). HU and HU+WB led to total body mass and bone mineral density loss. HU+WB mitigated HU-induced losses in total body fat and lean mass and, in the distal femur, prevented losses in μCT measures of cancellous bone volume and microarchitecture. These findings support the robust impact of short durations of normal loading on preventing or mitigating HU-induced bone loss.
{"title":"Daily Acute Bouts of Weight-bearing During Hindlimb Unloading Mitigate Disuse-Induced Deficits in Cancellous Bone","authors":"R. Bokhari, C. Metzger, M. Allen, S. Bloomfield","doi":"10.2478/GSR-2018-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/GSR-2018-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract International Space Station crewmembers experience microgravity, resulting in musculoskeletal losses. It remains unclear how much mechanical loading during disuse is sufficient to mitigate disuse-induced bone loss. We examined 75 minutes of weight-bearing per day on disuse-induced bone loss during hindlimb unloading (HU). Female C57BL/6J mice, 17 weeks (n=10/group), were exposed to HU for 28 days or were ambulatory controls (CC). Half of the HU animals were continuously unloaded while the remainder were removed from tail suspension for ~75 min/day for cage activity weight-bearing (HU+WB). HU and HU+WB led to total body mass and bone mineral density loss. HU+WB mitigated HU-induced losses in total body fat and lean mass and, in the distal femur, prevented losses in μCT measures of cancellous bone volume and microarchitecture. These findings support the robust impact of short durations of normal loading on preventing or mitigating HU-induced bone loss.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82614238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Gaffney, Amelia K Pollard, C. Deane, Michael Cooke, M. Balsamo, Jennifer E. Hewitt, S. Vanapalli, N. Szewczyk, T. Etheridge, B. Phillips
Abstract Long term spaceflight is associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The Molecular Muscle Experiment (MME) seeks to identify the causes of muscle decline in space and test potential therapies to attenuate this in the microscopic worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. This is the first UK-led experiment in the almost two-decade history of the International Space Station. We therefore intend to complete significant and widespread educational outreach activities to promote interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and to increase engagement with our space life science experiment. This paper describes three education outreach activities relating to MME that are suitable for use in the classroom: (i) observing normal and mutant worms; (ii) observing the effect of unloading (simulation of microgravity); and (iii) handling spaceflight hardware. Activity packs are provided at a starter and advanced level to support these activities. This paper also provides three posters that may be used as learning resources for educators. These posters provide information on: (i) why worms are used for research; (ii) spaceflight human physiology; and (iii) the specifics of the MME. Details of further planned engagement activities are outlined to increase the awareness of the MME.
{"title":"Worms in Space for Outreach on Earth: Space Life Science Activities for the Classroom","authors":"C. Gaffney, Amelia K Pollard, C. Deane, Michael Cooke, M. Balsamo, Jennifer E. Hewitt, S. Vanapalli, N. Szewczyk, T. Etheridge, B. Phillips","doi":"10.2478/GSR-2018-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/GSR-2018-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Long term spaceflight is associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The Molecular Muscle Experiment (MME) seeks to identify the causes of muscle decline in space and test potential therapies to attenuate this in the microscopic worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. This is the first UK-led experiment in the almost two-decade history of the International Space Station. We therefore intend to complete significant and widespread educational outreach activities to promote interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and to increase engagement with our space life science experiment. This paper describes three education outreach activities relating to MME that are suitable for use in the classroom: (i) observing normal and mutant worms; (ii) observing the effect of unloading (simulation of microgravity); and (iii) handling spaceflight hardware. Activity packs are provided at a starter and advanced level to support these activities. This paper also provides three posters that may be used as learning resources for educators. These posters provide information on: (i) why worms are used for research; (ii) spaceflight human physiology; and (iii) the specifics of the MME. Details of further planned engagement activities are outlined to increase the awareness of the MME.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84194130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brandon Califar, R. Tucker, Juliana Cromie, Natasha J. L. Sng, R. Austin Schmitz, Jordan A. Callaham, Brad Barbazuk, A. Paul, R. Ferl
Abstract The Cosmic Ray Exposure Sequencing Science (CRESS) payload system was a proof of concept experiment to assess the genomic impact of space radiation on seeds. CRESS was designed as a secondary payload for the December 2016 high-altitude, long-duration south polar balloon flight carrying the Boron and Carbon Cosmic Rays in the Upper Stratosphere (BACCUS) experiment. Investigation of the biological effects of Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR), particularly those of ions with High-Z and Energy (HZE), was of interest due to the genomic damage this type of radiation inflicts. The biological effects of radiation above Antarctica (ANT) were studied using Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and compared to a simulation of GCR at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and to laboratory control seeds. The CRESS payload was broadly designed to 1U CubeSat specifications (10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm, ≤1.33 kg), maintained 1 atm internal pressure, and carried an internal cargo of 580,000 seeds and twelve CR-39 Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs). Exposed BNL and ANT M0 seeds showed significantly reduced germination rates and elevated somatic mutation rates when compared to non-irradiated controls, with the BNL mutation rate also being higher than that of ANT. Genomic DNA from plants presenting distinct aberrant phenotypes was evaluated with whole-genome sequencing using PacBio SMRT technology, which revealed an array of structural genome variants in the M0 and M1 plants. This study was the first whole-genome characterization of space-irradiated seeds and demonstrated both the efficiency and efficacy of Antarctic long-duration balloons for the study of space radiation effects on eukaryote genomes.
宇宙射线暴露测序科学(CRESS)有效载荷系统是评估空间辐射对种子基因组影响的概念验证实验。CRESS被设计为2016年12月携带硼和碳宇宙射线在平流层(BACCUS)实验的高空、长时间南极气球飞行的次要有效载荷。银河宇宙辐射(GCR)的生物效应研究，特别是高能离子(HZE)的生物效应研究，由于这种类型的辐射造成的基因组损伤而引起了人们的兴趣。利用拟南芥种子研究了南极洲上空辐射(ANT)的生物学效应，并与布鲁克海文国家实验室(BNL)的GCR模拟和实验室对照种子进行了比较。CRESS有效载荷大致设计为1U CubeSat规格(10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm，≤1.33 kg)，保持1atm内部压力，并携带580,000颗种子和12颗CR-39固态核径道探测器(ssntd)的内部货物。与未辐照对照相比，BNL和ANT M0暴露的种子发芽率显著降低，体细胞突变率显著升高，BNL突变率也高于ANT。采用PacBio SMRT技术对具有明显异常表型的植物基因组DNA进行全基因组测序，发现M0和M1植物中存在一系列结构基因组变异。这项研究首次对空间辐照种子进行了全基因组表征，并证明了南极长时间气球在研究空间辐射对真核生物基因组的影响方面的效率和功效。
{"title":"Approaches for Surveying Cosmic Radiation Damage in Large Populations of Arabidopsis thaliana Seeds – Antarctic Balloons and Particle Beams","authors":"Brandon Califar, R. Tucker, Juliana Cromie, Natasha J. L. Sng, R. Austin Schmitz, Jordan A. Callaham, Brad Barbazuk, A. Paul, R. Ferl","doi":"10.2478/gsr-2018-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2018-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Cosmic Ray Exposure Sequencing Science (CRESS) payload system was a proof of concept experiment to assess the genomic impact of space radiation on seeds. CRESS was designed as a secondary payload for the December 2016 high-altitude, long-duration south polar balloon flight carrying the Boron and Carbon Cosmic Rays in the Upper Stratosphere (BACCUS) experiment. Investigation of the biological effects of Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR), particularly those of ions with High-Z and Energy (HZE), was of interest due to the genomic damage this type of radiation inflicts. The biological effects of radiation above Antarctica (ANT) were studied using Arabidopsis thaliana seeds and compared to a simulation of GCR at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and to laboratory control seeds. The CRESS payload was broadly designed to 1U CubeSat specifications (10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm, ≤1.33 kg), maintained 1 atm internal pressure, and carried an internal cargo of 580,000 seeds and twelve CR-39 Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs). Exposed BNL and ANT M0 seeds showed significantly reduced germination rates and elevated somatic mutation rates when compared to non-irradiated controls, with the BNL mutation rate also being higher than that of ANT. Genomic DNA from plants presenting distinct aberrant phenotypes was evaluated with whole-genome sequencing using PacBio SMRT technology, which revealed an array of structural genome variants in the M0 and M1 plants. This study was the first whole-genome characterization of space-irradiated seeds and demonstrated both the efficiency and efficacy of Antarctic long-duration balloons for the study of space radiation effects on eukaryote genomes.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82977931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annabel K. Gravely, A. Vlasov, A. Freeman, Kayu Wu, N. Szewczyk, R. D'Cruz, J. Batt
Abstract Both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients and astronauts in spaceflight suffer from muscle atrophy. Previous research suggests that the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS, but it is not known if ASM influences muscle atrophy in microgravity. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were exposed to microgravity conditions on the International Space Station (ISS) within the confines of a Fluid Mixing Enclosure (FME). Return of the FME yielded 72,050 live nematodes, the first demonstration of C. elegans survival of space travel in an FME. After the nematodes returned to Earth, in much larger numbers than seen in previous FME experiments, the size and ASM expression levels in experimental worms were compared to control Earth-bound worms. C. elegans that returned from the ISS were larger in both length and cross-sectional area than the control worms, and they exhibited decreased expression of ASM-1 and ASM-2 proteins. Further research must be conducted to elucidate the role of ASM in muscle atrophy, as there were many limitations to this study. Understanding the role of ASM in muscle atrophy may lead to the discovery of novel targets for treatment of both ALS and muscle atrophy in microgravity. This study was a student led initiative and undertaken as a project within the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), under the auspices of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education.
{"title":"Levels of Acid Sphingomyelinase (ASM) in Caenorhabditis elegans in Microgravity","authors":"Annabel K. Gravely, A. Vlasov, A. Freeman, Kayu Wu, N. Szewczyk, R. D'Cruz, J. Batt","doi":"10.2478/gsr-2018-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2018-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients and astronauts in spaceflight suffer from muscle atrophy. Previous research suggests that the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS, but it is not known if ASM influences muscle atrophy in microgravity. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were exposed to microgravity conditions on the International Space Station (ISS) within the confines of a Fluid Mixing Enclosure (FME). Return of the FME yielded 72,050 live nematodes, the first demonstration of C. elegans survival of space travel in an FME. After the nematodes returned to Earth, in much larger numbers than seen in previous FME experiments, the size and ASM expression levels in experimental worms were compared to control Earth-bound worms. C. elegans that returned from the ISS were larger in both length and cross-sectional area than the control worms, and they exhibited decreased expression of ASM-1 and ASM-2 proteins. Further research must be conducted to elucidate the role of ASM in muscle atrophy, as there were many limitations to this study. Understanding the role of ASM in muscle atrophy may lead to the discovery of novel targets for treatment of both ALS and muscle atrophy in microgravity. This study was a student led initiative and undertaken as a project within the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), under the auspices of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75431441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Clinorotation used to simulate microgravity effects in ground-based experiments is considered as a mild stress factor for plants. We have assumed that it might influence the plant tolerance to other stressful factors. To test this, Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings were grown on a horizontal clinostat (2 rpm) or under stationary conditions (control), and then were subjected to heat treatment. The kinetics of gene expression of cytosolic HSP70s and HSP90s during exposure to 37°C for 0.5-2 h was examined by RT-qPCR to estimate level of the heat shock reaction. It was shown that clinorotation caused the minor increase in transcript abundance of five AtHSP70s and AtHSP90-1 under normal temperature, as well as a faster onset and enhancement of their induction during heat shock. The heat tolerance was evaluated as a function of seedling survival after exposure to 45°C for 45 min. Seedlings grown under clinorotation were determined to withstand heat treatment better than seedlings grown under stationary conditions. The obtained data support the assumption that clinorotation may provide cross-protection of plants against fluctuations in environmental conditions.
{"title":"Clinorotation Affects Induction of the Heat Shock Response in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings","authors":"L. Kozeko, D. Buy, Y. Pirko, Y. Blume, E. Kordyum","doi":"10.2478/GSR-2018-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/GSR-2018-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Clinorotation used to simulate microgravity effects in ground-based experiments is considered as a mild stress factor for plants. We have assumed that it might influence the plant tolerance to other stressful factors. To test this, Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings were grown on a horizontal clinostat (2 rpm) or under stationary conditions (control), and then were subjected to heat treatment. The kinetics of gene expression of cytosolic HSP70s and HSP90s during exposure to 37°C for 0.5-2 h was examined by RT-qPCR to estimate level of the heat shock reaction. It was shown that clinorotation caused the minor increase in transcript abundance of five AtHSP70s and AtHSP90-1 under normal temperature, as well as a faster onset and enhancement of their induction during heat shock. The heat tolerance was evaluated as a function of seedling survival after exposure to 45°C for 45 min. Seedlings grown under clinorotation were determined to withstand heat treatment better than seedlings grown under stationary conditions. The obtained data support the assumption that clinorotation may provide cross-protection of plants against fluctuations in environmental conditions.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73507207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Llanos, K. Andrijauskaite, M. Rubinstein, Sherine S. L. Chan
Abstract Suborbital spaceflights, carrying scientific payloads, allow scientists not only to test the feasibility of their payloads, but they also provide the basis for refining scientific hypotheses to be later tested on the International Space Station (ISS). Therefore, it is essential to establish robust pre-flight procedures in order to take advantage of this unique research platform to facilitate payload delivery. In the present study, we assessed zebrafish larvae behavior as a precursor for the future suborbital spaceflight involving research on the musculoskeletal system. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to the same physiological stressors they would encounter during suborbital spaceflight: alterations in light, thermal, and centrifugation conditions. Their behavioral responses were analyzed using the DanioVision (Noldus) behavioral tracking system. Our results showed that zebrafish were most active when kept in a dark environment as measured by swim distance. Also, thermal alterations revealed that zebrafish larvae adapted well to the different temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C with the highest levels of locomotor activity observed at 32°C. Finally, the centrifugation tests demonstrated that although zebrafish were exhausted initially, their recovery process was short, lasting for approximately five minutes. Taken together, our findings support the hypothesis that using zebrafish larvae is a feasible model for future suborbital flights. Thus, the lessons learned allow us to propel this research with more refined and realistic procedures as a precursor for orbital flights to the ISS and to cislunar space.
{"title":"Investigation of Zebrafish Larvae Behavior as Precursor for Suborbital Flights: Feasibility Study","authors":"P. Llanos, K. Andrijauskaite, M. Rubinstein, Sherine S. L. Chan","doi":"10.2478/gsr-2018-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2018-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Suborbital spaceflights, carrying scientific payloads, allow scientists not only to test the feasibility of their payloads, but they also provide the basis for refining scientific hypotheses to be later tested on the International Space Station (ISS). Therefore, it is essential to establish robust pre-flight procedures in order to take advantage of this unique research platform to facilitate payload delivery. In the present study, we assessed zebrafish larvae behavior as a precursor for the future suborbital spaceflight involving research on the musculoskeletal system. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to the same physiological stressors they would encounter during suborbital spaceflight: alterations in light, thermal, and centrifugation conditions. Their behavioral responses were analyzed using the DanioVision (Noldus) behavioral tracking system. Our results showed that zebrafish were most active when kept in a dark environment as measured by swim distance. Also, thermal alterations revealed that zebrafish larvae adapted well to the different temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C with the highest levels of locomotor activity observed at 32°C. Finally, the centrifugation tests demonstrated that although zebrafish were exhausted initially, their recovery process was short, lasting for approximately five minutes. Taken together, our findings support the hypothesis that using zebrafish larvae is a feasible model for future suborbital flights. Thus, the lessons learned allow us to propel this research with more refined and realistic procedures as a precursor for orbital flights to the ISS and to cislunar space.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75518632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract The mammogenic, lactogenic, and lactopoetic effects of prolactin (PRL) in the mammary gland are mediated through a specific cytokine receptor, the PRL-receptor (PRLR). PRLR is anchored to the cytoskeleton and its activation, and subsequent signal transduction, is dependent on an integral/intact cytoskeletal organization. Previous studies revealed a down-regulation of PRLR and reduced metabolic output in the mammary gland of rats exposed to hypergravity (HG). Therefore, the objective of this study was to use quantitative immunohistochemistry to determine the effects of HG exposure during pregnancy on the pre- and postpartum abundance of the cytoskeletal proteins in the rat mammary gland. Pregnant rats were exposed to either 2xg [HG] or 1xg [Stationary control (SC)] from days 11 to 20 of gestation (G20) through postpartum days 1 (P1) and 3 (P3). Spectral characterization and quantitation of each antigen (actin, tubulin, cytokeratin, and vimentin) per lobule (n=3–7 lobules/micrograph; 4 micrographs/slide) was computed using the CRi Nuance multispectral system. At G20 and P3, increased (p<0.001) amounts of actin, tubulin, cytokeratin, and vimentin were detected in HG rats. Tubulin, cytokeratin, and vimentin were overexpressed (p<0.01) in HG group compared to SC at P1. These results suggest that atypical composition of cytoskeletal proteins contribute to the aberrant lactogenic signal transduction and associated reduced postpartum mammary metabolic output in rats exposed to altered inertial environment.
{"title":"Chronic Exposure to Altered Gravity During the Pregnancy-to-Lactation Transition Affects Abundance of Cytoskeletal Proteins in the Rat Mammary Gland","authors":"Kibrom M. Alula, J. Resau, O. Patel","doi":"10.2478/gsr-2018-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/gsr-2018-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The mammogenic, lactogenic, and lactopoetic effects of prolactin (PRL) in the mammary gland are mediated through a specific cytokine receptor, the PRL-receptor (PRLR). PRLR is anchored to the cytoskeleton and its activation, and subsequent signal transduction, is dependent on an integral/intact cytoskeletal organization. Previous studies revealed a down-regulation of PRLR and reduced metabolic output in the mammary gland of rats exposed to hypergravity (HG). Therefore, the objective of this study was to use quantitative immunohistochemistry to determine the effects of HG exposure during pregnancy on the pre- and postpartum abundance of the cytoskeletal proteins in the rat mammary gland. Pregnant rats were exposed to either 2xg [HG] or 1xg [Stationary control (SC)] from days 11 to 20 of gestation (G20) through postpartum days 1 (P1) and 3 (P3). Spectral characterization and quantitation of each antigen (actin, tubulin, cytokeratin, and vimentin) per lobule (n=3–7 lobules/micrograph; 4 micrographs/slide) was computed using the CRi Nuance multispectral system. At G20 and P3, increased (p<0.001) amounts of actin, tubulin, cytokeratin, and vimentin were detected in HG rats. Tubulin, cytokeratin, and vimentin were overexpressed (p<0.01) in HG group compared to SC at P1. These results suggest that atypical composition of cytoskeletal proteins contribute to the aberrant lactogenic signal transduction and associated reduced postpartum mammary metabolic output in rats exposed to altered inertial environment.","PeriodicalId":90510,"journal":{"name":"Gravitational and space research : publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90407282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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