scholarly journals Interaction of light and gravity signals as a mechanism of counteracting alterations caused by simulated microgravity in proliferating plant cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aránzazu Manzano ◽  
Veronica Pereda-Loth ◽  
Anne de Bures ◽  
Julio Sáez-Vásquez ◽  
Raúl Herranz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Development ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Differential Sensitivity ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Gravitational Stress ◽  
To Come ◽  
Spaceflight Experiments

Abstract Background Light and gravity are fundamental cues for plant development on Earth. In space, understanding the effects of changing conditions affecting to these two stimuli is key for optimizing the life support systems to come with space exploration. Simulated microgravity is useful as a complement to real spaceflight experiments into refining our knowledge of early plant development adaptation to extraterrestrial environments. Results In wild type Arabidopsis and in mutants of the two genes of the essential nucleolar protein nucleolin (nuc1 and nuc2), the use of an extended toolbox of cell proliferation, cell growth and ribosome biogenesis markers, has allowed us to show that the incorporation of an illumination regime, in this case photoperiod, has been sufficient to attenuate or suppress the effects caused by gravitational stress at the cellular level in the root meristem. These results are consistent with other experiments carried out at real and simulated microgravity in which early plant development is nominal when the environmental conditions are optimal (nutrients, light, temperature, humidity). Conclusions Light signals may total or partially replace gravity signals significantly improving plant growth and development in microgravity. Despite that, molecular alterations are still compatible with the expected adaptation mechanisms that should be better understood. The differential sensitivity of nuc1 and nuc2 mutants to gravitational stress points to new strategies to produce more resilient plants to travel with humans in new extraterrestrial endeavors.

scholarly journals Space explorers need to be space farmers: What we know and what we need to know about plant growth in space

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Javier Medina
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Development ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Zero Gravity ◽  
Lunar Gravity ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Gravitational Stress

Space exploration will require life support systems, in which plants can provide nutrients, oxygen, moisture, and psychological well-being and eliminate wastes. In alien environments, plants must adapt to a different gravity force, even the zero gravity of spaceflight. Under these conditions, essential cellular and molecular features related to plant development are altered and changes in gene expression occur. In lunar gravity, the effects are comparable to microgravity, while the gravity of Mars produces milder alterations. Nevertheless, it has been possible to develop and reproduce plants in space. Current research seeks to identify signals replacing gravity for driving plant growth, such as light. Counteracting gravitational stress will help in enabling agriculture in extraterrestrial habitats.

scholarly journals Effects of Simulated Microgravity on the Proteome and Secretome of the Polyextremotolerant Black Fungus Knufia chersonesos

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Tesei ◽  
Abby J. Chiang ◽  
Markus Kalkum ◽  
Jason E. Stajich ◽  
Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Morphological Alterations ◽  
Translational Machinery ◽  
Black Fungi

Black fungi are a group of melanotic microfungi characterized by remarkable polyextremotolerance. Due to a broad ecological plasticity and adaptations at the cellular level, it is predicted that they may survive in a variety of extreme environments, including harsh niches on Earth and Mars, and in outer space. However, the molecular mechanisms aiding survival, especially in space, are yet to be fully elucidated. Based on these premises, the rock-inhabiting black fungus Knufia chersonesos (Wt) and its non-melanized mutant (Mut) were exposed to simulated microgravity—one of the prevalent features characterizing space conditions—by growing the cultures in high-aspect-ratio vessels (HARVs). Qualitative and quantitative proteomic analyses were performed on the mycelia and supernatant of culture medium (secretome) to assess alterations in cell physiology in response to low-shear simulated microgravity (LSSMG) and to ultimately evaluate the role of cell-wall melanization in stress survival. Differential expression was observed for proteins involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes, transport, and ribosome biogenesis and translation via ribosomal translational machinery. However, no evidence of significant activation of stress components or starvation response was detected, except for the scytalone dehydratase, enzyme involved in the synthesis of dihydroxynaphthalene (DNH) melanin, which was found to be upregulated in the secretome of the wild type and downregulated in the mutant. Differences in protein modulation were observed between K. chersonesos Wt and Mut, with several proteins being downregulated under LSSMG in the Mut when compared to the Wt. Lastly, no major morphological alterations were observed following exposure to LSSMG. Similarly, the strains’ survivability was not negatively affected. This study is the first to characterize the response to simulated microgravity in black fungi, which might have implications on future astrobiological missions.

scholarly journals Integrative ‘Omic’ Approach Towards Understanding the Nature of Human Diseases

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Borut Peterlin ◽  
A Maver
Keyword(s):  
Large Body ◽  
Experimental Information ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Sequence Information ◽  
Proteomic Profiling ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
Complete Representation ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Molecular Events

ABSTRACT The combination of improving technologies for molecular interrogation of global molecular alterations in human diseases along with increases in computational capacity, have enabled unprecedented insight into disease etiology, pathogenesis and have enabled new possibilities for biomarker development. A large body of data has accumulated over recent years, with a most prominent increase in information originating from genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiling levels. However, the complexity of the data made discovery of highorder disease mechanisms involving various biological layers, difficult, and therefore required new approaches toward integration of such data into a complete representation of molecular events occurring on cellular level. For this reason, we developed a new mode of integration of results coming from heterogeneous origins, using rank statistics of results from each profiling level. Due to the increased use of nextgeneration sequencing technology, experimental information is becoming increasingly more associated to sequence information, for which reason we have decided to synthesize the heterogeneous results using the information of their genomic position. We therefore propose a novel positional integratomic approach toward studying ‘omic’ information in human disease.

scholarly journals Physiological Responses of Jurkat Lymphocytes to Simulated Microgravity Conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Morabito ◽  
Paola Lanuti ◽  
Giusy A. Caprara ◽  
Marco Marchisio ◽  
Mariano Bizzarri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
The Body ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Environmental Condition ◽  
Mitochondria Membrane Potential ◽  
Microgravity Conditions ◽  
External Forces

The presence of microgravity conditions deeply affects the human body functions at the systemic, organ and cellular levels. This study aimed to investigate the effects induced by simulated-microgravity on non-stimulated Jurkat lymphocytes, an immune cell phenotype considered as a biosensor of the body responses, in order to depict at the cellular level the effects of such a peculiar condition. Jurkat cells were grown at 1 g or on random positioning machine simulating microgravity. On these cells we performed: morphological, cell cycle and proliferation analyses using cytofluorimetric and staining protocols—intracellular Ca2+, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondria membrane potential and O2− measurements using fluorescent probes—aconitase and mitochondria activity, glucose and lactate content using colorimetric assays. After the first exposure days, the cells showed a more homogeneous roundish shape, an increased proliferation rate, metabolic and detoxifying activity resulted in decreased intracellular Ca2+ and ROS. In the late exposure time, the cells adapted to the new environmental condition. Our non-activated proliferating Jurkat cells, even if responsive to altered external forces, adapted to the new environmental condition showing a healthy status. In order to define the cellular mechanism(s) triggered by microgravity, developing standardized experimental approaches and controlled cell culture and simulator conditions is strongly recommended.

Airway Management during Spaceflight

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 1237-1241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Keller ◽  
Joseph Brimacombe ◽  
Marzia Giampalmo ◽  
Axel Kleinsasser ◽  
Alex Loeckinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laryngeal Mask Airway ◽  
Tracheal Intubation ◽  
Airway Management ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Laryngeal Mask ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Oropharyngeal Airway ◽  
Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway

Background The authors compared airway management in normogravity and simulated microgravity with and without restraints for laryngoscope-guided tracheal intubation, the cuffed oropharyngeal airway, the standard laryngeal mask airway, and the intubating laryngeal mask airway. Methods Four trained anesthesiologist-divers participated in the study. Simulated microgravity during spaceflight was obtained using a submerged, full-scale model of the International Space Station Life Support Module and neutrally buoyant equipment and personnel. Customized, full-torso manikins were used for performing airway management. Each anesthesiologist-diver attempted airway management on 10 occasions with each device in three experimental conditions: (1) with the manikin at the poolside (poolside); (2) with the submerged manikin floating free (free-floating); and (3) with the submerged manikin fixed to the floor using a restraint (restrained). Airway management failure was defined as failed insertion after three attempts or inadequate device placement after insertion. Results For the laryngoscope-guided tracheal intubation, airway management failure occurred more frequently in the free-floating (85%) condition than the restrained (8%) and poolside (0%) conditions (both, P < 0.001). Airway management failure was similar among conditions for the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (poolside, 10%; free-floating, 15%; restrained, 15%), laryngeal mask airway (poolside, 0%; free-floating, 3%; restrained, 0%), and intubating laryngeal mask airway (poolside, 5%; free-floating, 5%; restrained, 10%). Airway management failure for the laryngoscope-guided tracheal intubation was usually caused by failed insertion (> 90%), and for the cuffed oropharyngeal airway, laryngeal mask airway, and intubating laryngeal mask airway, it was always a result of inadequate placement. Conclusion The emphasis placed on the use of restraints for conventional tracheal intubation in microgravity is appropriate. Extratracheal airway devices may be useful when restraints cannot be applied or intubation is difficult.

The role of water in the regulation of plant development

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1287-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon I. McIntyre
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Seed Germination ◽  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Plant Development ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Basic Functions ◽  
Different Parts

It is postulated that the changes in growth and metabolic activity that characterize many features of plant development are produced by the interaction between the hydraulic conductivity of the tissues and the influence of environmental factors, transpiration and osmotic gradients on the uptake, distribution, or loss of water. Mechanisms based on this concept are proposed for six aspects of development. These are (i) seed germination and stem elongation (water uptake), (ii) apical dominance and tropisms (water distribution), and (iii) leaf senescence and abscission (water loss). The postulated mechanisms are based on the hypothesis that water is the factor that normally limits the rate of growth and metabolic activity in the intact plant. The validity of the concept is supported by the unique capacity of water to perform three basic functions. These functions are (i) to mediate environmental effects on growth and metabolism, (ii) to correlate the growth of different parts of the plant, and (iii) to integrate growth and metabolic activity at the cellular level. It is also suggested that the responses induced by the application to plants of certain growth-regulating substances can be mainly attributed to the capacity of these substances to promote the uptake of water.

scholarly journals OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY PRACTICE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS GRANT

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Liana Pleș
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Obstetrics And Gynecology ◽  
Professional Counseling ◽  
Specialized Center ◽  
European Social Fund ◽  
Vaginal Deliveries ◽  
Social Fund ◽  
To Come ◽  
Working Day

This year, from July to November, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department from “Bucur” Maternity “Saint John” Hospital, Bucharest conducted the POSDRU grant “Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice and Professional Counseling for Medical Students”. The project had the financial support of both the European Social Fund and the Sectorial Operational Program for Human Resources Development 2007-2013, priority axis 2.The main objective of the Grant was to support students from University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest in the transition and integration from study to real professional life. More than 160 students of the 2nd to 5th year of university were included in the project. Each student had the opportunity attend the practice for a period of 3 weeks, 6 hours per day, similar to a normal working day of a doctor.The core of the activity was real, medical practice. The students had the occasion to practice gynecological and surgical everyday gestures such as knots and sutures, to attend in the operating room during gynecological interventions or caesarian sections, but also to be involved in attending vaginal deliveries or performing obstetrics ultrasound by themselves. During that period the students spent 2 weeks of activity in “Bucur” Maternity and one week in the Medical Simulating Center “LifeSiM”. In this specialized center they had the opportunity to practice laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, knots and sutures, basic life support maneuvers and vaginal birth assistance on medical models.The originality of the program was that the physicians who trained the students had no universitary activity in their current life. They were enthusiast young specialists or residents in obstetrics . In this way the students felt closeer to their instructors and integrated easyly in the hospital life. Being trainers, the physicians experienced that challenge and had good result in teaching the students that was an aspect observed from final students feed-back.Why was the project so important? Our practice program is unique because it is the first one who developed such activity in obstetric filed in a simulating center. Moreover, we offered also professional carrier counseling to the students and the most emotional involvement that we could. We considered each student as a less experienced colleague and we tried to explain everything the best we could. The bound created during the program with some of them lead to volunteering for some of them who continued to come in our hospital.

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