Life Sciences in Space Research最新文献

{"title":"Simulated microgravity activates autophagy expression in the rat retina","authors":"Meng Liu ,&nbsp;Yuyu Wang ,&nbsp;Fei Ren ,&nbsp;Wenqian Zhang ,&nbsp;Hanwen Zheng ,&nbsp;Rong Zhang ,&nbsp;Caiyun Gao ,&nbsp;Ling Luo ,&nbsp;Chuang Nie ,&nbsp;Jianwen Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to investigate the expression and possible role of autophagy in the retina of rats under microgravity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated to either the tail suspension group (TS) or the control group (CTRL). To simulate microgravity-induced redistribution of cephalad fluid observed in space, the rats in the TS group underwent tail suspension for a duration of 4 weeks. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was applied to assess the ocular blood flow and thickness of the retina. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining, along with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were used to investigate morphological changes and autophagosomes in the retina. Endoplasmic reticulum autophagy (ER-phagy) related proteins (ATF4, CHOP, and GRP78) in the rat retina were detected using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The levels of autophagy-related proteins (Beclin1, P62, LC3B, ATF4, CHOP, and GRP78) were quantified by Western blot (WB). The expression of ATG5 and ATG7 genes was examined via real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In fundus imaging signs, microgravity increases retinal thickness and the retinal vascular perfusion area. Moreover, microgravity also upregulates Beclin1, LC3B, ATF4, CHOP, and GRP78 while downregulating P62 in retina. It elevates the number of autophagosomes and activates autophagy and ER-phagy signaling pathways in retina.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Simulated microgravity can trigger the organism's intrinsic protective mechanisms, inducing the activation of autophagy (ER-phagy) in the retina, which may represent a self-defense mechanism against adverse conditions of microgravity-related stressors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"45 ","pages":"Pages 107-116"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463936","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}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Characterization of virulence-related phenotypes of Candida parapsilosis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolated from the International Space Station (ISS)” [Life Sciences in Space Research, Volume 45, May 2025, Pages 16-24]","authors":"Lauren Wilson ,&nbsp;Kaitlyn Nielsen ,&nbsp;Stefani Caspasso-Villanueva ,&nbsp;Takara O'Brien ,&nbsp;Lily A. Hefner ,&nbsp;Paulina Slick ,&nbsp;Logan Petty ,&nbsp;Riley Dienna ,&nbsp;Hugo Castillo ,&nbsp;Alba Chavez","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"45 ","pages":"Page 136"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143593158","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}

{"title":"Lunar dust induces minimal pulmonary toxicity compared to Earth dust","authors":"Michaela B. Smith ,&nbsp;Joshua Chou ,&nbsp;Dikaia Xenaki ,&nbsp;Xu Bai ,&nbsp;Hui Chen ,&nbsp;Brian G.G. Oliver","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Humans are returning to the moon and understanding the toxicity of lunar dust is crucial for successful missions. Apollo mission reports suggest that lunar dust poses significant inhalation risks. Previous studies on lunar dust simulants have shown tissue and cellular damage in the lungs. This study focuses on two new simulants, LMS-1 and LHS-1, which closely replicate the lunar dust of the mare and highland regions of the moon. BEAS-2B and A549 cells were treated with unprocessed LMS-1 and LHS-1 (100µg/ml, 1000µg/ml and 5000µg/ml). The simulants were processed to isolate particles ≤2.5 µm, allowing a direct comparison to Earth dust (airborne particulate matter). BEAS-2B and A549 cells were treated with processed simulants and Earth dust (10µg/ml, 50µg/ml, and 100µg/ml) for 48 and 72 h. Inflammation was measured by measuring IL-6 and IL-8 using ELISA and cell viability was measured using a trypan blue exclusion test. A time- and dose-dependent increase in IL-8 and IL-6 production by LMS-1 and LHS-1 exposure was found only in BEAS-2B cells. A dose-dependent decrease in cell viability was found in both BEAS-2B and A549 cells with lunar dust simulant exposure. Particles ≤2.5 µms cause greater cell death than particles ≤1000µm. However, Earth dust induced greater cytokine release and was more toxic than lunar dust simulants. Lunar dust simulants did not increase SOD2 gene expression, indicating no increases in oxidative stress in either cell type. Therefore, our results suggest that lunar dust simulants are not highly toxic dusts, but rather a physical irritant. Future studies are needed to confirm the relative toxicity and irritant capacity of other lunar regions simulants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"45 ","pages":"Pages 72-80"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143378194","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}

{"title":"Effects of X-ray irradiation and housing conditions on mitochondria in Peromyscus maniculatus","authors":"Agata M Rudolf ,&nbsp;Emma M Rhodes ,&nbsp;KayLene YH Yamada ,&nbsp;Hippokratis Kiaris ,&nbsp;Wendy R Hood","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Challenging environmental conditions, such as exposure to ionizing radiation, can induce oxidative stress within mitochondria. However, organisms show variation in their capacity to cope with cellular stress. This study aimed to identify how housing conditions influence mitochondrial stress responses under exposure to radiation. We used North American deer mice (<em>Peromyscus maniculatus</em>), kept in standard rodent boxes or large semi-natural enclosures that allowed for natural levels of physical activity and social structures under ambient atmospheric conditions. Animals from each housing condition were exposed to 2000 mSv (2 Gy) of ionizing X-ray radiation, a dose comparable to long-term spaceflight. Animals were euthanized for analysis prior to irradiation (baseline), within four days post-irradiation, or one-month following irradiation. Relative mass of the liver was lower than the baseline for irradiated animals maintained in the semi-natural enclosures. State 4 and coupled and uncoupled state 3 respiratory capacity of liver and skeletal muscle mitochondria were lower four days after the exposure. Yet, a month after exposure these variables were comparable to baseline in muscle but remained lower in the liver. The mitochondrial volume was lower after irradiation relative to baseline and was higher in animals maintained in standard rodent boxes, in both tissues. Oxidative damage to lipids in liver was higher in animals kept in boxes, whereas in muscle it was higher in animals kept in the semi-natural enclosures, and oxidative damage to proteins did not change. These results suggest that a heterogenous environment with greater potential for activity may counter the effects of ionizing radiation, although this effect appears to be modest.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"45 ","pages":"Pages 61-71"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350151","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}

{"title":"Analysis of suitable site candidates for Mars human habitat and life-support technologies based on in situ water resource utilization","authors":"Xi Zeng ,&nbsp;Hang Wu ,&nbsp;Yinuo Xu ,&nbsp;Hui Liu ,&nbsp;Beizhen Xie ,&nbsp;Hong Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2025.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human mission to Mars endowed with multiplex challenges has attracted global attentions in the space field. Life support technology is one of the key technologies for deep space exploration, which distinguishes human missions from unhuman ones. Among the life support materials for human space flight, water accounts for the largest weight. Realizing water recycling and <em>in situ</em> water resource utilization (ISWRU) is of great significance for reducing the dependence of human spacecraft on ground supply and for establishing sustainable Mars human habitats. Therefore, this review begins with the summarization of the existence forms and distribution of water on Mars in view of the water source for future human Mars exploration missions and the construction of Mars habitats. Then, suitable Mars human landing and habitat sites are discussed on the basis of convenient ISWRU. Finally, typical Mars habitat design concepts, bioregenerative life support technologies and potential Mars water extraction and purification technologies are also introduced, which we consider to be vital to Mars habitats with ISWRU capability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"45 ","pages":"Pages 91-106"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454729","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}

{"title":"Solid waste management and resource recovery during the 4-crew 180-day CELSS integrated experiment","authors":"Weidang Ai ,&nbsp;Yibing Deng ,&nbsp;Chongyang Wu ,&nbsp;Jingsong Yang ,&nbsp;Yongkang Tang ,&nbsp;Liangchang Zhang ,&nbsp;Qingni Yu ,&nbsp;Yinghui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In order to explore the management and treatment methods of solid waste in the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) of future lunar bases, during the 4-crew 180-day integrated experiment, the Solid Waste Management and Treatment System (SWMTS) was built, in which the treatment of recyclable solid waste such as inedible plant parts and human excrement was completed through a combination of biological aerobic composting and high-temperature oxidation. Basic data on the types and amounts of solid waste generated during the 4-crew 180-day experiment mission were obtained. There were six types of solid wastes, including the work support wastes, the household support wastes, the plant cultivation wastes, the plant-based wastes, and crew feces. The daily average production was 0.67, 1.4, 0.32, 8.48, 0.534 kg/d, respectively. The proportion of plant-based wastes was high as 74.3 %, indicating that it was the most important part. By closed-loop air drying and graded crushing, all 1526.97 kg of plant-based waste was treated, with water recovery (about 1163.87 kg), as well as volume reduction and stabilization treatment. By incineration and aerobic composting treatment, 67.3 % (244.4 kg) of the plant-based wastes (dry weight) and all of the feces (96.26 kg) were converted, providing 339.54 kg carbon dioxide for plant growth. And 90.6 kg organic fertilizer was obtained. The fertilizer was highly mature, met safety requirements, and effectively improved lettuce yield. The recycling rate of renewable solid waste during the experiment reached 89.8 %. The efficient circulation of solid waste had been achieved during the 4-crew 180-day integrated experiment. The long-time experimental results have shown that the established solid wastes management and treatment system can timely treat biomass solid waste such as inedible parts of plants and crew feces, achieve timely recovery of water in such solid waste, and recycle carbon and other elements, which effectively improved the material closure of the system and ensured the successful 4-crew 180-day experiment. This work also maybe lay the foundation for the construction and operation of an ecological life support system for future lunar bases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"44 ","pages":"Pages 90-98"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142212531","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}

{"title":"Immersive gamma music as a tool for enhancing glymphatic clearance in astronauts while improving their mental well-being","authors":"Peter Wostyn ,&nbsp;Piet Goddaer","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.10.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.10.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spaceflight occurs under extreme environmental conditions that pose significant risks to the physical and mental health and well-being of astronauts. Certain factors, such as prolonged isolation, monotony, disrupted circadian rhythms, heavy workload, and weightlessness in space, can trigger psychological distress and may contribute to a variety of mental health problems, including mood and anxiety disturbances. Recent findings regarding spaceflight-associated alterations in cerebrospinal fluid spaces, demonstrating enlargement of the brain's perivascular spaces from preflight to postflight, at least suggest reduced glymphatic clearance in microgravity, and have raised concerns about long-term cognitive health in astronauts. Therefore, it is critical for future long-duration human exploration missions to identify, develop and validate all potentially effective long-term countermeasures capable of reducing the risk of perivascular space enlargement and impaired glymphatic transport in space mission crews. Furthermore, it is crucial to implement effective strategies that would allow crew members to maintain optimal psychological well-being during future long-duration space exploration. In the present paper, we propose “immersive gamma music” as an add-on countermeasure that in combination with existing countermeasures can optimize glymphatic clearance in astronauts while improving their mental well-being. If confirmed, this approach could enrich the practice of space medicine, and might become increasingly important, given the plans for future human missions, including a return to the Moon and manned missions to Mars.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"44 ","pages":"Pages 86-89"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143047172","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}

{"title":"Optimizing autonomous artificial intelligence diagnostics for neuro-ocular health in space missions","authors":"Rahul Kumar ,&nbsp;Ethan Waisberg ,&nbsp;Joshua Ong ,&nbsp;Karsten Chima ,&nbsp;Dylan Amiri ,&nbsp;Alireza Tavakkoli","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) presents a critical risk in long-duration missions, with microgravity-induced changes that threaten astronaut vision and mission outcomes. Current SANS monitoring, limited to pre- and post-flight exams, lacks in-flight diagnostics, highlighting an urgent need for autonomous tools capable of real-time assessment. Grok, an AI platform by xAI, offers promising potential as an advanced diagnostic tool for space-based health monitoring. Originally developed for broader applications, Grok's high-resolution imaging capabilities could be adapted to detect early SANS indicators such as optic nerve edema and shifts in globe morphology, changes linked to fluid redistribution in space. However, realizing this vision requires algorithmic and hardware adjustments to address the unique physiological shifts astronauts experience. By advancing Grok's diagnostic capability, we strongly believe astronauts could manage SANS autonomously, bringing much-needed real-time, high-accuracy diagnostics to isolated, high-stakes environments—essential as humanity embarks on increasingly ambitious missions to Mars and beyond</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"44 ","pages":"Pages 64-66"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143047197","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}

{"title":"Combined irradiation by gamma-rays and carbon-12 nuclei caused hyperlocomotion and change in striatal metabolism of rats","authors":"Viktor S. Kokhan ,&nbsp;Kirill Chaprov ,&nbsp;Denis A. Abaimov ,&nbsp;Maxim S. Nesterov ,&nbsp;Vladimir A. Pikalov","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.08.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exposure to ionizing radiation during manned deep space missions to Mars could lead to functional impairments of the central nervous system, which may compromise the success of the mission and affect the quality of life for returning astronauts. Along with radiation-induced changes in cognitive abilities and emotional status, the effects of increased motor activity were observed. The mechanisms behind these phenomena still remain unresolved. We conducted a study on grip strength, locomotor activity and intrasession habituation to novelty in 5-month-old rats after exposure to radiation (combined 0.4 Gy gamma-rays and 0.14 Gy ¹²C nuclei). At the same time, we carried out neurochemical and molecular analysis of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the dorsal striatum (dST). The study revealed radiation-induced hyperlocomotion and enhanced habituation. It also showed an increase in choline concentration and a decreased in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration in the NAc after irradiation. In addition to this, a down-regulation of syntaxin 1A in NAc and dST as well as up-regulation α-synuclein in NAc were observed. The obtained data indicate both the damaging effect of irradiation on striatum tissues and the initiation of neuronal/axonal regeneration processes. It is hypothesized that the increase in choline concentration in NAc and the decreased content of syntaxin 1A in dST may be the part of the mechanism responsible for the radiation-induced hyperlocomotion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"44 ","pages":"Pages 99-107"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142212532","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}

{"title":"Behavior of simple closed ecological systems; lower nutrient concentrations allow longer persistence of grazer populations","authors":"Frieda B. Taub,&nbsp;Kate M. McGrath-Flinn,&nbsp;Natalie E. Stillwell,&nbsp;Rachel Haden Kasbohm","doi":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.lssr.2024.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We expect to develop self-sustaining extraterrestrial colonies, and they will approach being closed ecological systems. Using simple closed ecosystems containing <em>Daphnia magna</em>, three species of algae, and microbes, we tested multiple conditions to study long-term organism survival, which is only possible with adequate nutrient recycling. Closed and open systems behaved differently from one another at high nitrate concentrations; in closed systems, the animals were dead by day 14; in open systems, the <em>Daphnia</em> populations persisted beyond 273 days. <em>Daphnia</em> deaths were associated with increased pH and O₂ caused by greater algal photosynthesis and the lack of exchange with the atmosphere. Replicate variability that used small <em>Daphnia</em> suggested that inadequate grazing capability allowed algae to create conditions unfavorable to <em>Daphnia</em> survival. Over months, algal and <em>Daphnia</em> abundance decreased, presumably because of inadequate nutrient recycling; these populations increased temporarily after the addition of nutrients. The addition of natural lake organisms did not increase the nutrient-recycling capabilities of the systems. Understanding the mechanisms of closed systems will be useful in implementing biological processes in managing life support systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18029,"journal":{"name":"Life Sciences in Space Research","volume":"44 ","pages":"Pages 47-57"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143047165","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}