NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,015 1 September 2022 (Space Life Science Research Results)
SPACELINE Current Awareness Lists are distributed via listserv and are available on the NASA Task Book website at https://taskbook.nasaprs.com/Publication/spaceline.cfm. Please send any correspondence to Shawna Byrd, SPACELINE Current Awareness Senior Editor, SPACELINE@nasaprs.com.
Call for articles to cite in the weekly lists: Authors at NASA Centers and NASA PIs—do you have an article that has recently published or will publish in the upcoming weeks within a peer-reviewed journal and is in the scope of space life sciences? If so, send it our way! Send your article to the email address mentioned above. Articles received by Wednesday will appear within that week’s list—articles received after Wednesday will appear the following week.
Papers deriving from NASA support:
1
Simpson AC, Suzuki T, Miller DR, Venkateswaran K.
Microbial burden estimation of food items, built environments, and the International Space Station using film media.
Microorganisms. 2022 Aug 25;10(9):1714.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10091714
PIs: J. Gilbert, K. Venkateswaran
Note: ISS results. This article is part of Section “Public Health Microbiology” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microorganisms/sections/public_health_microbiota). This article may be obtained online without charge.
Journal Impact Factor: 4.926
Funding: “The ISS portions of the research in this manuscript were funded by the NASA Space Biology grant 80NSSC19K1604 awarded to K.V. and the supported NASA postdoctoral program fellowship for A.S. Built-environment and food-item cultivable microbial count experiments were funded in-house by Kikkoman Corporation.”
2
Hughes AM, Kiss JZ.
-Omics studies of plant biology in spaceflight: A critical review of recent experiments.
Front Astron Space Sci. 2022 Aug 12;9:964657. Review.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.964657
PI: J.Z. Kiss
Note: This article is part of Research Topic “Space Resources and Planetary Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/30181/space-resources-and-planetary-sustainability-challenges-and-opportunities#overview). Additional articles will be forthcoming and may be found in the link to the Research Topic. This article may be obtained online without charge.
Journal Impact Factor: 4.055
Funding: “This work was supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) via grant 80NSSC17K0546 to JK.”
3
Lalwala M, Devane KS, Koya B, Hsu FC, Gayzik FS, Weaver AA.
Sensitivity analysis for multidirectional spaceflight loading and muscle deconditioning on astronaut response.
Ann Biomed Eng. 2022 Aug 26.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36018394
PI: A.A. Weaver
Note: From the abstract: “A sensitivity analysis for loading conditions and muscle deconditioning on astronaut response for spaceflight transient accelerations was carried out using a mid-size male human body model with active musculature. The model was validated in spaceflight-relevant 2.5-15 g loading magnitudes in seven volunteer tests, showing good biofidelity (CORA: 0.69). Sensitivity analysis was carried out in simulations varying pulse magnitude (5, 10, and 15 g), rise time (32.5 and 120 ms), and direction (10 directions: frontal, rear, vertical, lateral, and their combination) along with muscle size change (± 15% change) and responsiveness (pre-braced, relaxed, vs. delayed response) changes across 600 simulations. Injury metrics were most sensitive to the loading direction (50%, partial-R2
) and least sensitive to muscle size changes (0.2%). The pulse magnitude also had significant effect on the injury metrics (16%), whereas muscle responsiveness (3%) and pulse rise time (2%) had only slight effects. Frontal and upward loading directions were the worst for neck, spine, and lower extremity injury metrics, whereas rear and downward directions were the worst for head injury metrics. Higher magnitude pulses and pre-bracing also increased the injury risk.”
Journal Impact Factor: 4.219
Funding: “This study was supported by a NASA Human Research Program Grant No. NNX16AP89G. The authors would like to thank Jeffrey Somers (NASA), Nathaniel Newby (KBR), and Keegan Yates (KBR) for their inputs on study design.”
4
Van Akin MP, Lantz OM, Fellows AM, Toutain-Kidd C, Zegans M, Buckey JC Jr, Anderson AP.
Acute effects of postural changes and lower body positive and negative pressure on the eye.
Front Physiol. 2022 Aug 31;13:933450.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.933450
PIs: J.C. Buckey Jr, A.P. Anderson
Note: From the abstract: “Ocular parameters (intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular geometry, and optical coherence tomography measures) were measured in the seated, supine, and prone positions. To create a fluid shift in the supine and prone positions, the lower body chamber pressure ranged from -40 mmHg to +40 mmHg. Subjects maintained each posture and LBNP/LBPP combination for 15 min prior to data collection. A linear mixed-effects model was used to determine the effects of fluid shifts (as reflected by LBNP/LBPP) and hydrostatic gradient changes (as reflected by the change from seated to supine and from seated to prone) on eye parameters.” This article and an article below (Robin et al.) in the “Other” section are part of Research Topic “Rising Stars in Environmental, Aviation and Space Physiology: 2022” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/29535/rising-stars-in-environmental-aviation-and-space-physiology-2022#articles). The Research Topic also includes articles from previous Current Awareness Lists #993 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.846229 and #1,010 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.899830. This article may be obtained online without charge.
Journal Impact Factor: 4.755
Funding: “This work was supported by grant CA03401 and PF04103 from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute through NCC 9-58, by NASA EPSCoR Cooperative Agreement NNX13AD35A, and by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.”
5
Verhoeven DC, Kramer WS, Shuffler ML.
Multiteam systems in long duration exploration missions: A qualitative analysis of key characteristics and challenges.
Front Psychol. 2022 Aug 12;13:877509.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36033091
Note: This article is part of Research Topic “Information Sharing in Multiteam Systems Operating in Risky and Uncertain Environments” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/22858/information-sharing-in-multiteam-systems-operating-in-risky-and-uncertain-environments#overview). This article may be obtained online without charge.
Journal Impact Factor: 4.232
Funding: “This work was supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant (NNJ15HK12P) to MS.”
6
Rubenstein RI, Lalwala M, Devane K, Koya B, Kiani B, Weaver AA.
Comparison of morphing techniques to develop subject-specific finite element models of vertebrae.
Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2022 Aug 23;1-6.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2022.2113994
PI: A.A. Weaver
Note: From the abstract: “This study compared two morphing techniques (and their serial combination) to create subject-specific finite element models of 15 astronaut vertebrae. Surface deviations of the morphed models were compared against subject geometries extracted from medical images. The optimal morphing process yielded models with minimal difference in root-mean-square (RMS) deviation (C3, 0.52 ± 0.14 mm; T3, 0.34 ± 0.04 mm; L1, 0.59 ± 0.16 mm) of the subject’s vertebral geometry. <1% of model elements failed quality checks and compression simulations ran to completion. This research lays the foundation for the development of subject-specific finite element models to quantify musculoskeletal changes and injury risk from spaceflight.”
Journal Impact Factor: 1.669
Funding: “This work was supported by NASA (NNX16AP89G), NSF (REU Site 1950281), NIH/NIA (K25AG058804).”
7
Yang J, Mathew IE, Rhein H, Barker R, Guo Q, Brunello L, Loreti E, Barkla BJ, Gilroy S, Perata P, Hirschi KD.
The vacuolar H+/Ca transporter CAX1 participates in submergence and anoxia stress responses.
Plant Physiol. 2022 Aug 16;kiac375. Online ahead of print.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35972350
PI: S. Gilroy
Note: From the abstract: “A plant’s oxygen supply can vary from normal (normoxia) to total depletion (anoxia). Tolerance to anoxia is relevant to wetland species, rice (Oryza sativa) cultivation and submergence tolerance of crops. Decoding and transmitting calcium (Ca) signals may be an important component to anoxia tolerance; however, the contribution of intracellular Ca transporters to this process is poorly understood. Four functional cation/proton exchangers (CAX1-4) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) help regulate Ca homeostasis around the vacuole. Our results demonstrate that cax1 mutants are more tolerant to both anoxic conditions and submergence.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
Journal Impact Factor: 8.005
Funding: “We thank Ardawna Green and Alex Sosa for managing the growth facilities and Jon Pittman for reviewing a draft of this work. This work was supported by grants (to K.D.H) from the National Science Foundation (1557890), USDA (3092-51000-061-00D) and National Institute of Health (R03 AI149201-02) and grants (to S.G) from NSF MCB2016177 and NASA 80NSSC19K0126.”
8
Kotiang S, Eslami A.
Density evolution for noise propagation analysis in biological networks.
IEEE Access. 2022;10:4261-70.
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9671350
PI: A. Eslami
Note: From the abstract: “Accurate prediction of noise propagation in biological networks is key to understanding faithful signal propagation in gene networks as well as for designing noise-tolerant synthetic gene circuits. Knowledge on how biological fluctuations propagate up the development ladder of biological systems is currently lacking. Similarly, little research effort has been devoted to the analysis of error propagation in biological networks. To capture and characterize error evolution, this paper considers a Boolean network (BN) model representation of a biological network such that nodes on the graph represent diverse biological entities, e.g., proteins, genes, messenger-RNAs, etc. In addition, the network edges capture the interactions between nodes. By conducting a density evolution analysis on the graphical model based on node functionalities, a recursive closed-form expression for error propagation is derived. Subsequently, the recursive equation allows us to obtain a necessary condition to guarantee noise-error elimination in dynamic discrete gene networks. Our analytical formulations provide a step toward achieving optimal network parameters for resilience against variability or noise in biology.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
Journal Impact Factor: 3.476
Funding: “This work was supported in part by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Award 80NSSC20M0133.”
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Other papers of interest:
1
Mammarella N, Gatti M, Ceccato I, Di Crosta A, Di Domenico A, Palumbo R.
The protective role of neurogenetic components in reducing stress-related effects during spaceflights: Evidence from the age-related positive memory approach.
Life (Basel). 2022 Aug 2;12(8):1176. Review.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36013355
Note: From the abstract: “Fighting stress-related effects during spaceflight is crucial for a successful mission. Emotional, motivational, and cognitive mechanisms have already been shown to be involved in the decrease of negative emotions. However, emerging evidence is pointing to a neurogenetic profile that may render some individuals more prone than others to focusing on positive information in memory and increasing affective health. The relevance for adaptation to the space environment and the interaction with other stressors such as ionizing radiations is discussed. In particular, to clarify this approach better, we will draw from the psychology and aging literature data. Subsequently, we report on studies on candidate genes for sensitivity to positive memories. We review work on the following candidate genes that may be crucial in adaptation mechanisms: ADRA2B, COMT, 5HTTLPR, CB1, and TOMM40. The final aim is to show how the study of genetics and cell biology of positive memory can help us to reveal the underlying bottom-up pathways to also increasing positive effects during a space mission.” This article and the articles below (Andreeva et al. and Kokhan et al.) are part of Special Issue “Advances in Space Biology” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/_space_biology). The Special Issue also includes an article from previous Current Awareness List #1,002 https://doi.org/10.3390/life12050610. Additional articles will be forthcoming and may be found in the link to the Special Issue. This article may be obtained online without charge.
2
Andreeva E, Matveeva D, Zhidkova O, Zhivodernikov I, Kotov O, Buravkova L.
Real and simulated microgravity: Focus on mammalian extracellular matrix.
Life. 2022 Aug 29;12(9):1343. Review.
https://doi.org/10.3390/life12091343
Note: From the abstract: “This review describes current state of art concerning mammalian ECM (extracellular matrix) as a gravisensitive unit component under real and simulated microgravity and discusses the directions of further research in this field.” This article, the article above (Mammarella et al.), and the article below (Kokhan et al.) are part of Special Issue “Advances in Space Biology” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/_space_biology). This article may be obtained online without charge.
3
Kokhan VS, Ustyugov AA, Pikalov VA.
Dynamics of dopamine and other monoamines content in rat brain after single low-dose carbon nuclei irradiation.
Life. 2022 Aug 25;12(9):1306.
https://doi.org/10.3390/life12091306
Note: This article and the articles above (Mammarella et al. and Andreeva et al.) are part of Special Issue “Advances in Space Biology” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/_space_biology). This article may be obtained online without charge.
4
Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zhang J, Ali S, Wu J.
Spaceflight changes the production and bioactivity of secondary metabolites in Beauveria bassiana.
Toxins (Basel). 2022 Aug 15;14(8):555.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36006216
Note: This article is part of Special Issue “Evaluation and Prevention of Mycotoxin Contamination and Toxicological Effects” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/special_issues/evaluation_mycotoxin). Additional articles will be forthcoming and may be found in the link to the Special Issue. This article may be obtained online without charge.
5
Isasi E, Isasi ME, van Loon JJWA.
The application of artificial gravity in medicine and space.
Front Physiol. 2022 Aug 29;13:952723. Review.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.952723
Note: This article is part of Research Topic “Space Countermeasures and Medicine – Implementation into Earth medicine and Rehabilitation” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/29370/space-countermeasures-and-medicine—implementation-into-earth-medicine-and-rehabilitation#overview). The Research Topic also includes articles from previous Current Awareness Lists #997 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.897694, #1,004 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.921862, #1,009 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.921434, #1,012 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.928313, and #1,014 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.943443. This article may be obtained online without charge.
6Krakos Podwin A, Jarosz J, Śniadek P, Psurski M, Graja A, Białas M, Oliszewska E, Wietrzyk J, Walczak R, Dziuban J.
Microfluidic-assisted human cancer cells culturing platform for space biology applications.
Sensors (Basel). 2022 Aug 18;22(16):6183.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36015950
Note: This article is part of Special Issue “Integrated Microfluidic Microarray Biochip and Biosensor 2021-2022” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors/special_issues/IMMBAB2022). This article may be obtained online without charge.
7
Tang Y, Shen Y, Feng H, Wu H, Mao R, Ai W, Wu Z.
Study on primary physicochemical characteristics and nutrient adsorption of four plant cultivation substrates.
Life Sci Space Res. 2022 Aug 27. Online ahead of print.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2022.08.008
8
Batliwala SY, Riaz KM.
Optics in micro-gravity and zero-gravity conditions.
In: Riaz KM, Vicente GV, Wee D, eds. Optics for the new millennium: An absolute review textbook. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2022. p. 365-70.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95251-8_25
9
Fois M, Ridolfi L, Scarsoglio S.
In silico study of the posture-dependent cardiovascular performance during parabolic flights.
Acta Astronaut. 2022 Aug 27. Online ahead of print.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.08.018
Note: Parabolic flight results.
10
Horeau M, Ropert M, Mulder E, Tank J, Frings-Meuthen P, Armbrecht G, Loréal O, Derbré F.
Iron metabolism regulation in females and males exposed to simulated microgravity: Results from the randomized trial AGBRESA.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Aug 26;nqac205. Online ahead of print.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36026525
Note: Head-down tilt bed rest study.
11
Robin A, Wang L, Custaud M-A, Liu J, Yuan M, Li Z, Lloret J-C, Liu S, Dai X, Zhang J, Lv K, Li W, Gauquelin-Koch G, Wang H, Li K, Li X, Qu L, Navasiolava N, Li Y.
Running vs. resistance exercise to counteract deconditioning induced by 90-day head-down bedrest.
Front Physiol. 2022 Aug 31;13:902983.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.902983
Note: Head-down tilt bed rest study. This article and an article above (Van Akin et al.) in the “NASA” section are part of Research Topic “Rising Stars in Environmental, Aviation and Space Physiology: 2022” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/29535/rising-stars-in-environmental-aviation-and-space-physiology-2022#overview). The Research Topic also includes articles from previous Current Awareness Lists #993 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.846229 and #1,004 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.862793. Additional articles will be forthcoming and may be found in the link to the Research Topic. This article may be obtained online without charge.
12
Shama S, Qaisar R, Khan NA, Tauseef I, Siddiqui R.
The role of 4-phenylbutyric acid in gut microbial dysbiosis in a mouse model of simulated microgravity.
Life. 2022 Aug 24;12(9):1301.
https://doi.org/10.3390/life12091301
Note: Hindlimb unloading study. This article is part of Special Issue “The Effect of Space Travel on the Microbiome and Physiology of Astronauts” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/space_microbiome). The Special Issue also includes an article from previous Current Awareness List #997 https://doi.org/10.3390/life12040495 and #1,011 https://doi.org/10.3390/life12081163 and https://doi.org/10.3390/life12071060. Additional articles will be forthcoming and may be found in the link to the Special Issue. This article may be obtained online without charge.
13
Meraviglia-Crivelli D, Villanueva H, Menon AP, Zheleva A, Moreno B, Villalba-Esparza M, Pastor F.
A pan-tumor-siRNA aptamer chimera to block nonsense-mediated mRNA decay inflames and suppresses tumor progression.
Mol Ther Nucleic Acids. 2022 Sep 13;29:413-25.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35991316
Note: From the abstract: “Immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has changed the clinical outcome of many types of aggressive tumors, but there still remain many cancer patients that do not respond to these treatments. There is an unmet need to develop a feasible clinical therapeutic platform to increase the rate of response to ICB. Here we use a previously described clinically tested aptamer (AS1411) conjugated with SMG1 RNAi (AS1411-SMG1 aptamer-linked siRNA chimeras [AsiCs]) to inhibit the nonsense-mediated RNA decay pathway inducing tumor inflammation and improving response to ICB.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
14
Openshaw MR, Williams J, Foo T, C. M, Wotherspoon A, Starling N, Kemp Z.
Mismatch repair screening of gastrointestinal cancers: The impact on Lynch Syndrome detection and immunotherapy.
J Gastrointest Cancer. 2022 Aug 26:1-8.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36018445
Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
15
Zhang L, Xu L, Zhang X, Wang K, Tan Y, Li G, Wang Y, Xue T, Sun Q, Cao X, Zhang G, Hu Z, Zhang S, Shi F.
Methyltransferase Setdb1 promotes osteoblast proliferation by epigenetically silencing Macrod2 with the assistance of Atf7ip.
Cells. 2022 Aug 19;11(16):2580.
Note: A 2D clinostat was used in this study. This article may be obtained online without charge.
16
Pighin S, Bonini N, Hadjichristidis C, Schena F, Modena R, Savadori L.
Hypoxia and risk preferences: Mild hypoxia impacts choices for low-probability high-payoff bets.
Front Physiol. 2022 Aug 29;13:960773.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.960773
Note: This article is part of Research Topic “Neurological, Neurophysiological, Psychological and Psychiatric Effects of High Altitude and Hypoxia” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/24670/neurological-neurophysiological-psychological-and-psychiatric-effects-of-high-altitude-and-hypoxia#overview). The Research Topic also includes an article from previous Current Awareness List #1,001 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.899636. Additional articles will be forthcoming and may be found in the link to the Research Topic. This article may be obtained online without charge.
17
Farbu EH, Höper AC, Reierth E, Nilsson T, Skandfer M.
Cold exposure and musculoskeletal conditions; a scoping review.
Front Physiol. 2022 Sep 1;13:934163.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.934163
Note: This article is part of Research Topic “Survival in Extreme Environments – Adaptation or Decompensation?” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/19341/survival-in-extreme-environments—adaptation-or-decompensation#articles). The Research Topic also includes articles from previous Current Awareness Lists #955 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.674430 and #975 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.763975. This article may be obtained online without charge.
18
Salgado-Rodriguez M, Garcia-Luis U, Gomez-San-Juan A, Ulloa-Sande C, Navarro-Medina F.
Conceptual design and research on the thermal performance of a Martian human base.
Acta Astronaut. 2022 Aug 27. Online ahead of print.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.08.010
Note: From the abstract: “Human arrival on Mars is one of the most ambitious goals of the various space agencies. Although interest in the planet may appear to be recent, there is ample evidence to show that mankind turned its attention to Mars several centuries ago. However, it was not until the dawn of the space age that this interest shifted from mere speculation to a growing body of scientific and technical information. Unlike Earth, Mars is a planet whose current conditions are not suitable for life of any kind. The main aspects that condition the Martian environment, such as the atmosphere, temperature, radiation and soil, will be briefly analyzed. The house of the first inhabitants of the red planet must meet a series of basic requirements, including simplicity, strength and ensuring adequate conditions of habitability and psychological well-being. A conceptual habitat design based on a structure manufactured entirely on Earth is presented. One of the most important challenges engineers of the future will face in the event of a human arrival on Mars is the thermal control of houses.”
19
Friedman MA, Kohn DH.
Calcium and phosphorus supplemented diet increases bone volume after thirty days of high speed treadmill exercise in adult mice.
Sci Rep. 2022 Aug 26;12:14616.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36028525
Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
20
Lane JM, Qian J, Mignot E, Redline S, Scheer F, Saxena R.
Genetics of circadian rhythms and sleep in human health and disease.
Nat Rev Genet. 2022 Aug 26. Review.
