Research Containing: International Space Station

Foot forces during typical days on the international space station

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in astronauts returning from long-duration spaceflight missions has been well documented, but the altered mechanical loading environment experienced by the musculoskeletal system, which may contribute to these changes, has not been well characterized. The current study describes the loading environment of the lower extremity (LE) during typical days on the International Space Station (ISS) compared to similar data for the same individuals living on Earth. Data from in-shoe force measurements are also used as input to the enhanced daily load stimulus (EDLS) model to determine the mechanical "dose" experienced by the musculoskeletal system and to associate this dose with changes in BMD. Four male astronauts on approximately 6-month missions to the ISS participated in this study. In-shoe forces were recorded using capacitance-based insoles during entire typical working days both on Earth and on-orbit. BMD estimates from the hip and spine regions were obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) pre- and post-flight. Measurable loading was recorded for only 30% of the time assigned for exercise. In-shoe forces during treadmill walking and running on the ISS were reduced by 25% and 46%, respectively, compared to similar activities on Earth. Mean on-orbit LE loads varied from 0.20 to 1.3 body weight (BW) during resistance exercise and were approximately 0.10 BW during bicycle ergometry. Application of the EDLS model showed a mean decrease of 25% in the daily load experienced by the LE. BMD decreased by 0.71% and 0.83% per month during their missions in the femoral neck and lumbar spine, respectively. Our findings support the conclusion that the measured ISS exercise durations and/or loading were insufficient to provide the loading stimulus required to prevent bone loss. Future trials with EDLS values closer to 100% of Earth values will offer a true test of exercise as a countermeasure to on-orbit bone loss.

An Ambulatory Biomechanical Data Collection System for Use in Space: Design and Validation

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Introduction: Loss in bone mineral density and muscle strength in astronauts following long-duration spaceflight have been well documented, but the altered force and movement environments in microgravity which may contribute to these changes have not been well characterized. This paper describes the instrumentation, software, and data collection procedures developed for the “Foot” experiment that was conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) to provide insight into the biomechanics of daily activity in a microgravity environment. Methods: The instrumentation used for data collection included the Ambulatory Data Acquisition System (ADAS), ADAS electromyography (EMG) modules, the Joint Excursion System, and the Total Force-Foot Ground Interface system, which were all integrated into a specially designed Lower Extremity Monitoring Suit. There were 14 total channels of data that were collected at sampling rates between 8 Hz and 1024 Hz, including 7 channels of EMG, 4 channels of joint angle data, 2 channels of in-shoe ground reaction force, and a marker channel for event recording. Data were typically collected for between 6.5 and 11.8 h of activity during 4 d on Earth and 4–7 d in flight. Results: Exemplar data sets collected preflight on astronauts in 1 g to validate the instrumentation are presented. Discussion: We conclude that the system provides valid and useful biomechanical information on long-term activity. The analysis of data collected on-orbit using the system described here will be presented in a series of future papers characterizing the biomechanics of astronaut activity during complete working days on the Earth and on the ISS.

RISK OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DAMAGE AFTER PROLONGED SPACE FLIGHT

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Background Back pain and intervertbral disc (IVD) damage are common problems experienced by astronauts. We hypothesize this is from paraspinal muscle deconditioning, ∼5 cm body lengthening from spinal swelling and straightening, and biochemical tissue changes.Objective Examine morphological changes in the lumbar spine induced by spaceflight.Design Prospective, case series clinical study.Setting We studied crewmembers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).Participants Recruitment from International Space Station NASA/European Space Agency/Canadian Space Agency crewmembers, starting 2011. We enrolled 8 NASA crewmembers. One crewmember completed the study. The others are in various stages of testing.Risk factors Assessment Crew members were studied before and after a ∼180 day mission in the International Space Station.Main outcome measurements In pre-flight and post-flight studies of the lumbar spine, evaluate: 1) degenerative changes using MRI, 2) compressibility using an upright MRI backpack loading protocol, 3) spinal kinematics with X-ray videography, 4) visual analog scale pain.Results Comparing pre-flight and post- flight data, there were 1) increased lumbar IVD heights in the supine position, 2) increased lumbar IVD compressibility in the upright position, 3) decreased flexibility, and 4) increased low back pain post-flight.⇓Spinal kinematics (angles in degrees) during flexion/extension. Pre-flight degenerate disks had less motion. Post-flight, all disks had less motion.Conclusions The data support the idea that decreased gravitational forces on the IVDs, during prolonged microgravity, increases their water content but decreases proteoglycan. This increases disk degeneration risk on Earth. We have a sample size of one for complete Pre- and Post-Flight testing. It's difficult to make conclusions with this preliminary data. However, the acquired images are very high quality and provide confidence for future tests. The next crewmember returns to Earth for final testing November, 2013. Testing of 4 crewmembers and ongoing recruitment are underway.

Summary – Bone in microgravity environments: "Houston, we have a problem"

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

With the recent change in leadership at NASA, a sea change in research priorities at the agency has occurred. Monies once dedicated to life science research have been dramatically reduced in order to provide resources for development of a new Crew Exploration Vehicle, designed to replace the aging shuttle vehicles. Bone loss during space flight, once considered a "show-stopper" when long duration exploration missions were more central to NASA planning,no longer commands center stage. The prevailing sentiment appears to be that changes in bone with short-term missions to the International Space Station (ISS) or to the lunar surface will be too small to impact on mission outcomes and will be successfully mitigated with current exercise countermeasures, perhaps in combination with bisphosphonate therapy. Strategies to minimize bone loss with long-term spaceflight (e.g.,2-3 years’ duration) may not be necessary 10 years from now some speculate, given projections of improved pharmacological treatments or even the integration of artificial gravity on board exploration vehicles. It behooves bone biologists to carefully define the specific challenges to bone integrity incurred during (or following) the shorter 3- to 6-month Lunar or ISS missions planned for the next 10 years. Data presented during this session illustrate well that, with reference to microgravity effects on bone integrity, there is too much of "we don’t know what we don’t know"

Regenerative water supply for an interplanetary space station: The experience gained on the space stations “Salut”, “Mir”, ISS and development prospects

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Based on the experience in operation of Russian space stations Salut, Mir and International space station ISS the station's water balance data, parameters and characteristics of the systems for water recovery have been obtained. Using the data design analysis an integrated water supply system for an interplanetary space station has been performed. A packaged physical/chemical system for water supply is composed of an integrated system for water recovery from humidity condensate, green house condensate, water from carbon dioxide reduction system and condensate from urine system; a system for water reclamation from urine; hygiene water processing system and a water storage system. The take off mass of the packaged water supply system (including expendables, redundancy hardware, equivalent mass of power consumption and of thermal control) is appropriate for Mars missions. The international space station is indispensable for verifying innovative processes and new water recovery systems intended for missions to Mars.

International Space Station Medical Standards and Certification for Space Flight Participants

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Introduction: The medical community of the International Space Station (ISS) has developed joint medical standards and evaluation requirements for Space Flight Participants (“space tourists”) which are used by the ISS medical certification board to determine medical eligibility of individuals other than professional astronauts (cosmonauts) for short-duration space flight to the ISS. These individuals are generally fare-paying passengers without operational responsibilities. Material and Context : By means of this publication, the medical standards and evaluation requirements for the ISS Space Flight Participants are offered to the aerospace medicine and commercial spaceflight communities for reference purposes. It is emphasized that the criteria applied to the ISS spaceflight participant candidates are substantially less stringent than those for professional astronauts and/or crewmembers of visiting and long-duration missions to the ISS. Conclusions: These medical standards are released by the government space agencies to facilitate the development of robust medical screening and medical risk assessment approaches in the context of the evolving commercial human spaceflight industry.

The Russian experience in medical care and health maintenance of the International Space Station crews

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

The main purpose of the medical support system aboard International Space Station (ISS) is crew health maintenance and high level of work capability assurance prior to during and after in space flights. In the present communication the Russian point of view dealing with the problems and achievements in this branch is presented. An overview on medical operations during flight and after finalization of the space missions based on Russian data of crew health and environment state monitoring, as well as data on the inflight countermeasures (prophylaxis) jointly with data on operational problems that are specific to ISS is presented. The report summarizes results of the medical examination of Russian members of the ISS and taxi crews during and after visits to the ISS.

Medical care for Russian cosmonauts' health on the ISS

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Established with the personal participation of O.G. Gazenko, the Russian system of medical care for cosmonauts' health has been largely preserved till this day. The system was fully functional on board the orbital complex MIR and, with appropriate modifications, has been adopted as a core of the medical care for Russian members of the ISS crews. In the period of 2000-2008, 22 cosmonauts were members of 17 ISS increments from 140 to 216 days in duration. The main functions of the medical care system were to control health, physical and mental performance, and to support implementation of space researches. The flow of readaptation to the normal gravity was, in most cases similar to what has been typical on return from the Russian orbital stations; some deviations are accounted for by application of the in-flight countermeasures. The paper familiarizes reader with some aspects of the theoretical work of academician O.G. Gazenko in the field of medical care in space flight. It outlines the principles of ISS medical management. The integrated medical support system combines medical equipment and items available on the Russian and US segments; the integrated medical group consists of flight surgeons, medical experts and biomedical engineers of the international partners and coordinates planning and implementation of medical operations. Also, challenges of health care on the phase of ISS utilization are defined.

Selection of Medications for the International Space Station: The Space Medicine Patient Condition Database

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Medical care available to astronauts on the International Space Station has been affected by limitations on funding, space and weight availability, and crew training. A Space Medicine Patient Condition Database (PCDB) was designed to enhance inventory control, resource selection, protocol standardization, evidence-based medicine, on-orbit diagnostic skills, and materiel management. The first step in the PCDB creation was the identification of the medical conditions anticipated among the astronaut population in the flight environment. Military databases, previous spaceflight experience, and analog populations were used to create this listing. The PCDB then linked these individual conditions with the current resources available on orbit to treat them. Other features include a resource gauge, item location information, diagnosis coding, and built-in reference capabilities. Currently in the second phase of development, specific, evidence-based treatment protocols are being developed and evaluated in comparison with the terrestrial medicine standard of care. By documenting on-orbit medical systems and their associated terrestrial standards, the PCDB enables the prioritization and allocation of limited resources. In the final phase of the project, the PCDB will make use of decision support software to enhance diagnostic determination and provide an operational tool for the crew and mission teams.

Study of the autonomic regulation of blood circulation during a long-term space flight

by cfynanon 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

The five-year experience of experimentation in the autonomic regulation of blood circulation on board the International Space Station is presented. The heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was the basic methodical approach in these investigations. The probabilistic approach to the estimation of the risk of pathology under long-term spaceflight conditions based on HRV analysis is described. The individual type of autonomic regulation was taken into account in the analysis of the results of the investigations. The type of regulation inherent in every cosmonaut under the conditions of weightlessness has been shown to be retained during subsequent flights. New scientific data on the relationship between the character of the adaptive response of the body to spaceflight factors and the individual type of autonomic response have been obtained. Staying in weightlessness has been shown to be connected with the readjustment of regulatory systems and with transition to the zone of prenosological states. Adaptation responses in weightlessness are characterized by the increased tension of the regulatory systems and the preservation of sufficient functional reserves. The mobilization of additional resources is required after returning to earth, due to which the functional reserve of the mechanisms of regulation decreases. Cosmonauts with the vagotonic and normosympathotonic types of autonomic regulation appear to be the most resistant. The knowledge of the type of autonomic regulation allows us to judge the potential response of the cosmonaut to spaceflight factors. The likelihood estimates were calculated, and the risk categories were determined by the results of HRV analysis in the last months of the flight. Three pathology risk groups were identified. In conclusion, the theoretical and applied significance of the experiments was considered.

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Research Containing: International Space Station

Foot forces during typical days on the international space station

An Ambulatory Biomechanical Data Collection System for Use in Space: Design and Validation

RISK OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DAMAGE AFTER PROLONGED SPACE FLIGHT

Summary – Bone in microgravity environments: "Houston, we have a problem"

Regenerative water supply for an interplanetary space station: The experience gained on the space stations “Salut”, “Mir”, ISS and development prospects

International Space Station Medical Standards and Certification for Space Flight Participants

The Russian experience in medical care and health maintenance of the International Space Station crews

Medical care for Russian cosmonauts' health on the ISS

Selection of Medications for the International Space Station: The Space Medicine Patient Condition Database

Study of the autonomic regulation of blood circulation during a long-term space flight