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Dead space and paediatric anaesthetic equipment: a physical lung model study.

Untested assumptions have been made with regard to functional dead space in facemasks, filters and breathing systems used in children for the administration of inhalation anaesthesia. Total functional dead space was measured in various combinations of this equipment applied to a spontaneous ventilation lung model with parameter settings appropriate for infants of 7-8 kg. We found that functional dead space was too large to allow for spontaneous ventilation of the lungs when a breathing filter was fitted. There was minimal relationship between size of the facemask and functional dead space; however, the provision of 22-mm female inlets to facemasks achieved proportionately less functional dead space than with 15-mm male inlets. Regardless of the apparatus used and the magnitude of the dead space, the leak induced when a poorly fitting facemask was used dramatically reduced the dead space of the breathing system - to near optimal conditions - by moving the alveolar gas elimination point to within the facemask itself.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Cephalad distribution of three differing volumes of new methylene blue injected into the epidural space in adult goats.

Epidural anesthesia and analgesia are popular regional anesthetic techniques in many animal species. However, we have not found any reports of studies in animals that have investigated the extent of cephalad migration and level of sensory blockade achieved based only on the volume of drug injected into the epidural space. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between the volume (mL/kg) of an injectate injected epidurally and the extent of its cephalad migration within the epidural space. Twelve adult goats were randomly assigned to three treatment groups based on the volume of 0.12% New Methylene Blue (NMB), 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mL/kg, injected into the epidural space. The site and speed of injection, animal position, and direction of needle bevel were held constant. All injections were performed at the lumbo-sacral space immediately following euthanasia. At necropsy, the vertebral columns were transected longitudinally. The extent of cephalad migration of dye within the epidural space was easily determined by staining of the dura. Measurements were rounded to the nearest intervertebral space to which the dye had migrated. The individual making assessments was blinded to all treatments. In goats treated with 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mL/kg NMB, the number of stained spinal segments was 3.5 +/- 0.6, 6.5 +/- 0.9, and 8.8 +/- 0.6, (mean +/- SEM), respectively. Linear regression performed on the data was significant (P < .05) with R2 = 0.86. There was a strong linear relationship between volume (mL/kg) of epidurally injected NMB and cranial migration, with the larger volumes producing more cephalad spread within the epidural space. These results provide evidence for the volume of epidural injectate needed to produce a desired level of sensory blockade in adult goats.

Animals↗

Dilated intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium in nonerosive reflux disease patients with physiological esophageal acid exposure.

OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated that dilation of intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium is a marker of tissue injury in GERD patients with a pathological esophageal acid exposure time. To evaluate the relationship among ultrastructural changes, acid esophageal exposure, and GERD symptoms, intercellular space diameters have been assessed in nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients with/without abnormal acid exposure time. METHODS: Following a pharmacological wash-out, 20 NERD patients underwent upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring. Biopsies were taken at 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter and intercellular space diameters were measured on transmission electron microscopy photomicrographs. Seven asymptomatic controls underwent the same protocol. RESULTS: Acid exposure time was in the normal range in all controls and in 11 patients (NERD pH-negative); it was abnormal in 9 patients (NERD pH-positive). Mean intercellular space diameter in NERD pH-negative and in NERD pH-positive patients was three times greater than in controls (1.45 and 1.49 microm vs 0.45, p < 0.001). Mean values of maximum intercellular spaces in all NERD patients were greater, two-fold or more, than those in controls (p < 0.001). No difference in mean and maximal space diameters was observed between NERD pH-positive and pH-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dilation of intercellular spaces is a feature of NERD patients, irrespective of esophageal acid exposure, and can be considered an objective, structural marker of GERD symptoms. Impaired esophageal mucosal resistance, even to small amounts of acid refluxate, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of NERD.

Adult↗

Interstitial space of mouse skeletal muscle.

1. A new preparation of mouse skeletal muscle, prepared from pectoral muscles, is described.2. The sorbitol space of this muscle, both in vivo and in vitro, has been measured with dynamic loading of the muscle in vitro as an experimental variable.3. The Na(+) and K(+) contents of the muscle have been determined and the apparent intracellular concentration for these ions calculated both in vivo and after incubation in vitro.4. Histological studies on the incubated muscle have been made so as to permit comparison of the changes in the chemical measurements with changes in the ultrastructure of the muscle.5. The results of these experiments show that there is an increase in the apparent extracellular space of the muscle following incubation. This increase is constant, and independent of the load, with the important exception that unloaded muscles do not reach an equilibrium during the period of incubation and have a much greater apparent extracellular space.6. Intracellular Na(+) and K(+) concentrations are consistent with the sorbitol being restricted to an extracellular phase in the loaded muscle; but the evidence implies that sorbitol in the unloaded muscle penetrates into a space from which Na(+) is excluded.7. The total water content of the muscle per unit weight is unchanged by incubation, indicating that the apparent change in sorbitol space is in the ratio of intracellular space to extracellular space rather than by addition of water to the extracellular space. The significance of these results is discussed with reference to the use of such preparations for in vitro studies.

Animals↗

Architecture of arachnoid trabeculae, pillars, and septa in the subarachnoid space of the human optic nerve: anatomy and clinical considerations.

AIMS: To describe the anatomy and the arrangement of the arachnoid trabeculae, pillars, and septa in the subarachnoid space of the human optic nerve and to consider their possible clinical relevance for cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and fluid pressure in the subarachnoid space of the human optic nerve. METHODS: Postmortem study with a total of 12 optic nerves harvested from nine subjects without ocular disease. All optic nerves used in this study were obtained no later than 7 hours after death, following qualified consent for necropsy. The study was performed with transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The subarachnoid space of the human optic nerve contains a variety of trabeculae, septa, and stout pillars that are arranged between the arachnoid and the pia layers of the meninges of the nerve. They display a considerable numeric and structural variability depending on their location within the different portions of the optic nerve. In the bulbar segment (ampulla), adjacent to the globe, a dense and highly ramified meshwork of delicate trabeculae is arranged in a reticular fashion. Between the arachnoid trabeculae, interconnecting velum-like processes are observed. In the mid-orbital segment of the orbital portion, the subarachnoid space is subdivided, and can appear even loosely chambered by broad trabeculae and velum-like septa at some locations. In the intracanalicular segment additionally, few stout pillars and single round trabeculae are observed. CONCLUSION: The subarachnoid space of the human optic nerve is not a homogeneous and anatomically empty chamber filled with cerebrospinal fluid, but it contains a complex system of arachnoid trabeculae and septa that divide the subarachnoid space. The trabeculae, septa, and pillars, as well as their arrangement described in this study, may have a role in the cerebrospinal fluid dynamics between the subarachnoid space of the optic nerve and the chiasmal cistern and may contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of asymmetric and unilateral papilloedema. All the structures described are of such delicate character that they can not even be visualised with high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Arachnoid↗

Anatomical dead space, ventilatory pattern, and exercise capacity in chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic heart failure have an excessive ventilatory response to exercise, characterised by an increase in the slope of the relation between ventilation and carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope). Patients have an altered respiratory pattern with an increased respiratory rate (f) at a given tidal volume (VT), which may result in increased anatomical dead space ventilation. METHODS: The ventilatory responses in 88 patients with chronic heart failure and 43 age matched controls during maximal incremental treadmill exercise were analysed. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2), VE/VCO2 slope, and the slope of the relation between f and VT were derived. Anatomical dead space was estimated from a standard formula and anatomical dead space ventilation calculated. RESULTS: Peak VO2 was greater (mean (SD)) (33.2 (8.5) v 19.4 (6.7) ml/min/kg; P < 0.001) and the VE/VCO2 slope lower in the controls (25.96 (4.16) v 35.14 (9.80); P < 0.001). During matched submaximal exercise VT was higher (1.97 (0.92) v 1.68 (0.62) 1; P < 0.05) and flower in the controls (18.23 (6.48) v 24.28 (7.58); P < 0.001). At peak exercise there was no difference in f, but VT was higher in the controls (2.66 (0.97) v 1.90 (0.61) 1; P < 0.001). The VT/f slope was the same (0.04 (0.04)) in both groups. The intercept of the relation was greater for the control group (1.31 (1.28) v 0.59 (0.83); P < 0.001). Anatomical dead space ventilation was lower in the controls at submaximal work load (4.17 (1.56) v 5.58 (1.93) l/min; P < 0.001). At peak exercise anatomical dead space ventilation was the same in both groups, but was lower expressed as a percentage of total VE in the control group (9.8 (3.3) v 13.5 (4.0); P < 0.001). There were weak relations within the heart failure group alone between VT/f slope and peak VO2 and VE/VCO2 slope. CONCLUSIONS: The relation between anatomical dead space ventilation and VE/VCO2 slope is expected: as f increases, so do VE/VCO2 slope and anatomical dead space ventilation. The VT/f slope was the same in patients with chronic heart failure and controls, so change in respiratory pattern cannot explain the increase in VE/VCO2 slope. The stimulus causing the increased f has yet to be identified.

Case-Control Studies↗

Medial border of the perirenal space: CT and anatomic correlation.

PURPOSE: To explore the mode of spread of disease between the perirenal space and the perivascular central retroperitoneum and to determine the anatomy along the medial border of the perirenal space. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anatomic dissection, injection of latex, and observation of cross sections of the abdomen were performed in nine cadavers. Attention was paid to the juncture of the central prevertebral, perivascular, and extraperitoneal regions, and the perirenal space. Anatomic findings were correlated with observations made at computed tomography (CT) in 82 patients with retroperitoneal hemorrhage (n = 24), inflammation (n = 37), and neoplasia (n = 21) involving the perirenal spaces or the central retroperitoneum. RESULTS: Along most of the length of each kidney, no apparent fascia separates the perirenal space from the central retroperitoneum. At this location, septa between fat lobules form a fenestrated multitier barrier. These septa were imperceptible on CT scans obtained in healthy individuals. After injection of latex in cadavers, this potential barrier was seen. In the clinical study, spread of disease was allowed in only 38 (30%) of 128 instances of potential spread. Spread was facilitated along the renal vessels and the interlobular septa. CONCLUSION: Beyond the kidneys, the renal fascia is closed, forming a cone superiorly and an inverted cone inferiorly. A network of interlobular septa acted as a barrier or pathway to the free spread of disease from the perirenal space to the central retroperitoneum or from the central retroperitoneum to the perirenal space.

Adult↗

Distribution of TmDOTP5- in rat tissues: TmDOTP5- vs. CoEDTA- as markers of extracellular tissue space.

The distribution of TmDOTP5- in rat tissue was compared with CoEDTA-, an anionic complex previously used as a marker of extracellular space. Heart, liver, muscle, blood, and urine were collected from rats after infusion of either complex and were quantitatively analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Although total TmDOTP5- in blood and tissue was consistently lower (0.88 +/- 0.04; n = 6) than CoEDTA- after an identical infusion protocol (presumably because of some association of the phosphonate complex with bone), a comparison of blood and tissue contents indicated that the two anionic complexes distributed into identical extracellular spaces. Relative extracellular space in the in vivo liver, as determined by TmDOTP5- and CoEDTA-, was 0.18 +/- 0.02 and 0.15 +/- 0.01, respectively. The corresponding relative extracellular space values for the in vivo heart reported by the two agents were identical (0. 11 +/- 0.02). Experiments were also performed to evaluate the washout kinetics of TmDOTP5- from anesthesized rats. In rats given a total dose of 0.16 mmol TmDOTP5-, 81% appeared in urine by 180 min, <2% was found in all remaining soft tissue, leaving approximately 18% undetected. The rate of Tm appearance in urine was fit to a standard pharmacokinetic model that included four tissue compartments: plasma, one fast equilbrating space, one slow equilibrating space, and one very slow equilibrating space (presumably bone). The best fit result suggests that the highly charged TmDOTP5- complex is cleared from plasma more rapidly than is the typical lower charged Gd-based contrast agents and that release from bone is slow compared with renal clearance.

Animals↗

Electrical resistances of interstitial and microvascular space as determinants of the extracellular electrical field and velocity of propagation in ventricular myocardium.

BACKGROUND: In myocardial ventricular tissue, extracellular electrical resistance (ro) is an important determinant of propagation velocity (theta) and the magnitude of the extracellular bipolar electrogram (delta Vo). The extracellular space is composed of two compartments, the vascular space and the interstitial space. To assess the electrical equivalent of this compartmentation in the ventricular myocardium and its effect on ro, theta, and delta Vo, electrical cable analysis was performed in an arterially perfused rabbit papillary muscle. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vascular resistivity was changed from 75 to 86 to 143 and to 221 omega/cm by variation of hematocrit in the perfusate from 0% to 10% to 40% and to 60%. As a means to vary the volume of the interstitial space and with this as its resistivity, colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in the perfusate was changed from 9 to 36 and to 94 mm Hg by altering the dextran concentration in the perfusate from 10 to 40 to 80 g/L. Decreasing COP had a marked effect on ro (56% decrease), delta Vo (decrease from 61 to 42 mV), theta (increase from 48 to 59 cm/s), and the diameter of the muscle fiber (increase of 12%). If COP was increased from 36 to 94 mm Hg, ro (by 35%) and delta Vo (from 62 to 75 mV) increased; theta and diameter showed no significant changes. In contrast, alterations of intravascular electrical resistivity in a range from 75 to 221 omega/cm did not induce any significant changes in ro, delta Vo, theta, and diameter of the preparations. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude from our data that (1) the microvascular tree in ventricular myocardium is electrically insulated to a large degree from the interstitial space and that (2) electrical current flow in the extracellular space during excitation is confined to the narrow, anisotropic interstitial space.

Animals↗

Neuropsychological evidence of an integrated visuotactile representation of peripersonal space in humans.

Current interpretations of extinction suggest that the disorder is due to an unbalanced competition between ipsilesional and contralesional representations of space. The question addressed in this study is whether the competition between left and right representations of space in one sensory modality (i.e., touch) can be reduced or exacerbated by the activation of an intact spatial representation in a different modality that is functionally linked to the damaged representation (i.e., vision). This hypothesis was tested in 10 right-hemisphere lesioned patients who suffered from reliable tactile extinction. We found that a visual stimulus presented near the patient"s ipsilesional hand (i.e., visual peripersonal space) inhibited the processing of a tactile stimulus delivered on the contralesional hand (cross-modal visuotactile extinction) to the same extent as did an ipsilesional tactile stimulation (unimodal tactile extinction). It was also found that a visual stimulus presented near the contralesional hand improved the detection of a tactile stimulus applied to the same hand. In striking contrast, less modulatory effects of vision on touch perception were observed when a visual stimulus was presented far from the space immediately around the patient"s hand (i.e., extrapersonal space). This study clearly demonstrates the existence of a visual peripersonal space centered on the hand in humans and its modulatory effects on tactile perception. These findings are explained by referring to the activity of bimodal neurons in premotor and parietal cortex of macaque, which have tactile receptive fields on the hand and corresponding visual receptive fields in the space immediately adjacent to the tactile fields.

Aged↗

Neuropsychological evidence of modular organization of the near peripersonal space.

BACKGROUND: The space closely surrounding the body, near peripersonal space, is represented through multisensory coding, as witnessed by the spatial distribution of visual-tactile extinction in brain-damaged patients. Typically, tactile stimuli delivered on the contralesional hand are more severely extinguished by visual stimuli presented near to than far from the ipsilesional hand. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the near peripersonal space is a unitary multisensory representation of the peribody space or is organized in a modular fashion, separately representing different body parts. METHODS: Cross-modal extinction was used to assess right brain-damaged patients with left tactile extinction by presenting a combination of ipsilesional visual and contralesional tactile stimuli, both between homologous body parts (i.e., the two hands and sides of the face) and between nonhomologous body parts (i.e., right hand + left face and right face + left hand). RESULTS: Visual-tactile extinction observed in the near peripersonal space of homologous body parts was more severe than that obtained between nonhomologous body parts. In contrast, cross-modal extinction observed in the far peripersonal space was overall weak and comparable when stimulating homologous or nonhomologous body sectors. In addition, a clear near-far modulation of visual-tactile extinction was obtained only when stimulating homologous, but not nonhomologous, body parts. These findings were observed irrespective of the severity of unisensory tactile extinction. CONCLUSIONS: Near peripersonal space is not unitary but is functionally organized in modules and consists of at least two different spatial representations, one around the hand and another around the face, which might be selectively affected in patients with extinction.

Aged↗

Fluid volume control during short-term space flight and implications for human performance.

Space flight exerts substantial effects on fluid volume control in humans. Cardiac distension occurs during the first 1-2 days of space flight relative to supine and especially upright 1g conditions. Plasma volume contraction occurs quickly in microgravity, probably as a result of transcapillary fluid filtration into upper-body interstitial spaces. No natriuresis or diuresis has been observed in microgravity, such that diuresis cannot explain microgravity-induced hypovolemia. Reduction of fluid intake occurs irrespective of space motion sickness and leads to hypovolemia. The fourfold elevation of urinary antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels on flight day 1 probably results from acceleration exposures and other stresses of launch. Nevertheless, it is fascinating that elevated ADH levels and reduced fluid intake occur simultaneously early in flight. Extracellular fluid volume decreases by 10-15% in microgravity, and intracellular fluid volume appears to increase. Total red blood cell mass decreases by approximately 10% within 1 week in space. Inflight Na(+) and volume excretory responses to saline infusion are approximately half those seen in pre-flight supine conditions. Fluid volume acclimation to microgravity sets the central circulation to homeostatic conditions similar to those found in an upright sitting posture on Earth. Fluid loss in space contributes to reduced exercise performance upon return to 1g, although not necessarily in flight. In-flight exercise training may help prevent microgravity-induced losses of fluid and, therefore, preserve the capacity for upright exercise post-flight. Protection of orthostatic tolerance during space flight probably requires stimulation of orthostatic blood pressure control systems in addition to fluid maintenance or replacement.

Astronauts↗

Effects of the space flight environment on the immune system.

Space flight conditions have a dramatic effect on a variety of physiologic functions of mammals, including muscle, bone, and neurovestibular function. Among the physiological functions that are affected when humans or animals are exposed to space flight conditions is the immune response. The focus of this review is on the function of the immune system in space flight conditions during actual space flights, as well as in models of space flight conditions on the earth. The experiments were carried out in tissue culture systems, in animal models, and in human subjects. The results indicate that space flight conditions alter cell-mediated immune responses, including lymphocyte proliferation and subset distribution, and cytokine production. The mechanism(s) of space flight-induced alterations in immune system function remain(s) to be established. It is likely, however, that multiple factors, including microgravity, stress, neuroendocrine factors, sleep disruption, and nutritional factors, are involved in altering certain functions of the immune system. Such alterations could lead to compromised defenses against infections and tumors.

Animals↗

D-[1-14C]mannitol and [U-14C]sucrose as extracellular space markers for human spermatozoa and the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose.

[U-14C]Sucrose and D-[1-14C]mannitol were used to determine the tritiated water space of human spermatozoa to validate these compounds as markers for the extracellular space. Calculations based on 0.03 mM-[U-14C]sucrose gave a negative water space. The water space estimated with 0.03 mM-D[1-14C]mannitol was unstable but a stable result was obtained with 0.3 mM-D-[1-14C]mannitol in incubations up to 2 h. The mean water space was 2.21 +/- 0.106 microliters/10(8) spermatozoa (mean +/- s.e.m. for 6 batches of pooled semen). The water space was decreased or abolished by Triton X-100, cold shock, sonication or hypotonic treatment. The water space responded to changes in the osmolarity of the medium by increasing in dilute media. It is concluded that mannitol is an effective extracellular marker for human spermatozoa if concentrations greater than or equal to 0.3 mM are used. When the kinetics of the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose by the spermatozoa were studied by using mannitol as an extracellular marker, the transport was saturable and was inhibited by cytochalasin B. The Km was 1.6 +/- 0.33 mM and the Vmax was 4.2 +/- 0.52 nmol/10(8) spermatozoa/10 sec (mean +/- s.e.m., n = 4).

Biological Transport↗

Effects of space flight on ovarian-hypophyseal function in postpartum rats.

The effect of space flight in a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shuttle was studied in pregnant rats. Rats were launched on day 9 of gestation and recovered on day 20 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, rats were unilaterally hysterectomized and subsequently allowed to go to term and deliver vaginally. There was no effect of space flight on pituitary and ovary mass postpartum. In addition, space flight did not alter healthy and atretic ovarian antral follicle populations, fetal wastage in utero, plasma concentrations of progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) or pituitary content of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Space flight significantly increased plasma concentrations of FSH and decreased pituitary content of LH at the postpartum sampling time. Collectively, these data show that space flight, initiated during the postimplantation period of pregnancy, and concluded before parturition, is compatible with maintenance of pregnancy and has minimal effects on postpartum hypophyseal parameters; however, none of the ovarian parameters examined was altered by space flight.

Animals↗

[The concept of space in epidemiology: a historical and epistemological interpretation].

This study provides an interpretation of the concept of space in epidemiology. The authors highlight that the epistemological orientation of the space concept in epidemiology is the theory of disease, emphasizing the importance of the concept of specific etiologic agents and their transmission as the central structure for grasping the relationship between space and the body. Characterization of the space for circulation of etiologic agents was the epistemological base shaping the use of various theoretical developments in geography, allowing for the construction of different explanatory watersheds in the concept of space. The article specifically analyzes the Latin American watershed, reviewing the main authors orienting these studies, like Pavlovsky, Max Sorre, and Samuel Pessoa. The authors highlight Milton Santos' thinking as a fundamental reference in recent research on the social organization of space and disease emergence or prevalence. The authors also approach contemporary changes in the understanding of space as they are reflected in epidemiological studies.

Brazil↗

Behavior and reproduction of invertebrate animals during and after a long-term microgravity: space experiments using an Autonomous Biological System (ABS).

Aquatic invertebrate animals such as Amphipods, Gastropods (pond snails), Ostracods and Daphnia (water flea) were placed in water-filled cylindrical vessels together with water plant (hornwort). The vessels were sealed completely and illuminated with a fluorescent lamp to activate the photosynthesis of the plant for providing oxygen within the vessels. Such ecosystem vessels, specially termed as Autonomous Biological System or ABS units, were exposed to microgravity conditions, and the behavior of the animals and their reproduction capacity were studied. Three space experiments were carried out. The first experiment used a Space shuttle only and it was a 10-day flight. The other two space experiments were carried out in the Space station Mir (Shuttle/Mir mission), and the flight units had been kept in microgravity for 4 months. Daphnia produced their offspring during a 10-day Shuttle flight. In the first Mir experiment, no Daphnia were detected when recovered to the ground. However, they were alive in the second Mir experiment. Daphnia were the most fragile species among the invertebrate animals employed in the present experiments. All the animals, i.e., Amphipods, pond snails, Ostracods and Daphnia had survived for 4 months in space, i.e., they had produced their offspring or repeated their life-cycles under microgravity. For the two Mir experiments, in both the flight and ground control ecosystem units, an inverse relationship was noted between the number of Amphipods and pond snails in each unit. Amphipods at 10 hours after the recovery to the ground frequently exhibited a movement of dropping straight-downward to the bottom of the units. Several Amphipods had their legs bent abnormally, which probably resulted from some physiological alterations during their embryonic development under microgravity. From the analysis of the video tape recorded in space, for Ostracods and Daphnia, a half of their population were looping under microgravity. Such looping animals could be observed still at the end of the 4 month stay in space. No looping behavior was noted for Amphipods and pond snails.

Animals↗

DNA damage formation and p53 accumulation in mammalian cells exposed to the space environment.

To determine the effects of the space environment on gene instability from the point of view of human health for long-term stays in space, we have studied the formation of DNA strand breaks and the induction of gene expression in mammalian cells. We previously measured DNA damage in human cultured cells and the accumulation of a tumor suppressor gene product, p53, in muscle and skin of rats after space flight, and the relative importance of microgravity and space radiation in causing these effects remains to be clarified. Our results suggest that the p53 pathway may play a role in safeguarding genomic stability against the stressful space environment. We review here the present knowledge on cellular stress signaling and present our space experimental data. The importance of the stress response to the space environment is also discussed.

Animals↗