scholarly journals Human Adaptations to Multiday Saturation on NASA NEEMO

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Koutnik ◽  
Michelle E. Favre ◽  
Karina Noboa ◽  
Marcos A. Sanchez-Gonzalez ◽  
Sara E. Moss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Human Adaptation ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Sympathetic Modulation ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Adaptation Processes ◽  
External Stimuli ◽  
Mission Operation

Human adaptation to extreme environments has been explored for over a century to understand human psychology, integrated physiology, comparative pathologies, and exploratory potential. It has been demonstrated that these environments can provide multiple external stimuli and stressors, which are sufficient to disrupt internal homeostasis and induce adaptation processes. Multiday hyperbaric and/or saturated (HBS) environments represent the most understudied of environmental extremes due to inherent experimental, analytical, technical, temporal, and safety limitations. National Aeronautic Space Agency (NASA) Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) is a space-flight analog mission conducted within Florida International University’s Aquarius Undersea Research Laboratory (AURL), the only existing operational and habitable undersea saturated environment. To investigate human objective and subjective adaptations to multiday HBS, we evaluated aquanauts living at saturation for 9–10 days via NASA NEEMO 22 and 23, across psychologic, cardiac, respiratory, autonomic, thermic, hemodynamic, sleep, and body composition parameters. We found that aquanauts exposed to saturation over 9–10 days experienced intrapersonal physical and mental burden, sustained good mood and work satisfaction, decreased heart and respiratory rates, increased parasympathetic and reduced sympathetic modulation, lower cerebral blood flow velocity, intact cerebral autoregulation and maintenance of baroreflex functionality, as well as losses in systemic bodyweight and adipose tissue. Together, these findings illustrate novel insights into human adaptation across multiple body systems in response to multiday hyperbaric saturation.

What do environment-related illnesses tell us about the character of military medicine and future clinical requirements?

2021 ◽  
pp. e001934
Author(s):  
Michael John Stacey ◽  
S Brett ◽  
G Fitchett ◽  
N E Hill ◽  
D Woods
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Clinical Experience ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Military Medicine ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Patterns Of Care ◽  
Corporate Memory ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Metabolic Disruption ◽  
Military Physicians

Extreme environments present medical and occupational challenges that extend beyond generic resuscitation, to formulating bespoke diagnoses and prognoses and embarking on management pathways rarely encountered in civilian practice. Pathophysiological complexity and clinical uncertainty call for military physicians of all kinds to balance intuition with pragmatism, adapting according to the predominant patterns of care required. In an era of smaller operational footprints and less concentrated clinical experience, proposals aimed at improving the systematic care of Service Personnel incapacitated at environmental extremes must not be lost to corporate memory. These general issues are explored in the particular context of thermal stress and metabolic disruption. Specific focus is given to the accounts of military physicians who served on large-scale deployments into the heat of Iraq and Kuwait (Operation TELIC) and Oman (Exercise SAIF SAREEA). Generalisable insights into the enduring character of military medicine and future clinical requirements result.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITIES OF ACTINOBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THE SALINE LAGOONS OF NORTHWEST PERU

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Flores Clavo ◽  
Nataly Ruiz Quiñones ◽  
Álvaro Tasca Hernandez ◽  
Ana Lucia Tasca Gois Ruiz ◽  
Lucia Elaine de Oliveira Braga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Antiproliferative Activity ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Small Cells ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The North ◽  
Salt Flats ◽  
Multiple Drugs ◽  
Antiproliferative Activities

AbstractThe unexplored saline lagoons of the north of Peru harbor a rich microbiome, due to reported studies of different extreme environments around the world. In these regions, there are several ecosystems and microhabitats not yet explored, and little is known about the diversity of actinobacteria and other microorganisms. We suggest that the endemic bacteria present in this extreme environment could be source of active molecules with anticancer, antimicrobial, antiparasitic properties. Using phenotypic and genotypic characterization techniques including the 16S rRNA were identified into the genera Streptomyces 39 (78%), Pseudonocardia 3 (6%), Staphylococcus 4 (8%), Bacillus 2 (4%), and Pseudomonas 2 (4%). All isolated bacteria for the genotypic data were preliminarily identified. Actinobacteria strains were found dominantly in both sites (Lagoon1-3 = 16 isolates and lagoon 4 = 12 isolates). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 28 isolates were exclusively affiliated to eleven different clusters of Actinobacteria of the major genus Streptomyces. Three Streptomyces sp. strains M-92, B-146, and B-81, were tested for antibacterial and antiproliferative activities. The results showed antiproliferative activities against three tumor cell lines, U251 glioma; MCF7 breast; NCI-H460 lung non-small type of cells, and the antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, E. coli ATCC 10536, and Acinetobacter baumanni AC-972 which is resistant to multiple drugs. The promising results belong to Streptomyces sp. B-81 strain in the R2A medium using a doxorubicin with control positive, the best result was from the latter (TGI = 0,57 µg/mL) for glioma; NCI-H460 lung of type non-small cells (TGI = 0,61 µg/mL), and breast cancer (TGI =0,80 µg/mL), this strain was selected to be fractionated because it had better antiproliferative and antibacterial activity, and its fractions were evaluated concerning antiproliferative activity against nine types of tumor cells and one non-tumor. The methanolic fraction showed a better result in the antiproliferative activity and was able to inhibit U251 (glioma) (TGI = 38.3 µg/mL), OVCAR-03 (ovary) (TGI = 62.1 µg/mL), and K562 (leukemia) (TGI = 81.5 µg/mL). The methanol 50% - acetate 50% fraction (Fraction 4) inhibited U251 (glioma) (TGI = 73.5 µg/mL) and UACC-62 (melanoma) (TGI = 89.4 µg/mL). Moreover, the UHPLC-MS/MS data and molecular networking of Streptomyces sp. B-81 isolate extract revealed the production cholic acid, Lobophorin A, Lobophorin B, Lobophorin E, Lobophorin K and compound 6. Extremophilic environments such as the Mórrope and Bayovar Salt Flats are promising sources of new bacteria with promising pharmaceutical potential; These compounds could be useful to treat various infectious diseases or even some type of cancer.

Multiple System Configurations in a 32-bit Extreme Environment

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (HITEC) ◽  
pp. 000301-000306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Error Detection ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Silicon On Insulator ◽  
Cmos Process ◽  
System A ◽  
External Sources ◽  
System Configurations ◽  
Simple Systems ◽  
Computational Systems

Full computational systems are needed at extreme environments (to 300°C) to increase functionality and reduce cost in the ever advancing oil/gas, geothermal, aeronautic, and automotive industries. Commercially available electronic components are not available to build a reliable system. A single microcontroller device can be used in systems of varying complexity, from small, mid, large, and multiprocessor scale. The 32-bit microcontroller will use a low power silicon-on-insulator CMOS process to increase long term reliability. Communication ports are provided to allow for simple systems with a single processor to complex multiprocessor systems with multiple controlled devices and external memory. As no adequate non-volatile solution is available for extreme conditions, multiple boot options are available to load instructions from external sources. Fault tolerance should be provided by system error detection. Battery backup must be provided for program and data retention. The resulting microcontroller will allow a wide variety of extreme environment systems, from simple to complex.

Adaptive response of extreme epiphyte Tillandsia species (Bromeliaceae) is demonstrated by different sexual reproduction strategies in the Brazilian Chaco

2019 ◽  
Vol 192 (4) ◽  
pp. 840-854
Author(s):  
Aline C Gomes ◽  
Bruno H S Ferreira ◽  
Camila S Souza ◽  
Luan M M Arakaki ◽  
Camila Aoki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding System ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Reproduction Strategies ◽  
Pollen Vectors ◽  
Self Compatibility ◽  
Floral Visitors ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Some epiphytes are adapted to extreme environments with the ability to survive drought as a result of their morphological (xeromorphism), anatomical (foliar trichomes or scales) and physiological features. In contrast to vegetative features, they may have diverse sexual reproductive strategies. Here we compared the flowering morphology, floral biology, breeding system and pollinators of Tillandsia duratii, T. loliacea and T. recurvifolia (Bromeliaceae) adapted to an extreme environment, the Brazilian Chaco. Tillandsia duratii and T. recurvifolia flower for 5–6 months, whereas T. loliaceae flowers for 11 months, mainly in the dry season, with low to high flowering overlap between them. Although these species generally show similar flowering morphology, they differ in size, colour, odour and/or floral functionality, suggesting non-sharing of pollinators among them. Bimodal pollination occurs in T. duratii (bees, moths other than hawkmoths) and T. recurvifolia (butterflies, hummingbirds); in T. loliacea, we recorded no floral visitors. Tillandsia recurvifolia is self-incompatible, has flowers which approach herkogamy and protandry, and depends on pollen vectors for fruit set. The other two species show reverse herkogamy, autonomous self-pollination and self-compatibility (mixed breeding system); therefore, pollinators are not required. The disparity in reproductive strategies among the three species suggests the possibility of selection for diverse modes of reproduction.

scholarly journals Janthinobacterium CG23_2: Comparative Genome Analysis Reveals Enhanced Environmental Sensing and Transcriptional Regulation for Adaptation to Life in an Antarctic Supraglacial Stream

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Markus Dieser ◽  
Heidi J. Smith ◽  
Thiruvarangan Ramaraj ◽  
Christine M. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Genome Plasticity ◽  
Functional Categories ◽  
Environmental Sensing ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Extracellular Environment

As many bacteria detected in Antarctic environments are neither true psychrophiles nor endemic species, their proliferation in spite of environmental extremes gives rise to genome adaptations. Janthinobacterium sp. CG23_2 is a bacterial isolate from the Cotton Glacier stream, Antarctica. To understand how Janthinobacterium sp. CG23_2 has adapted to its environment, we investigated its genomic traits in comparison to genomes of 35 published Janthinobacterium species. While we hypothesized that genome shrinkage and specialization to narrow ecological niches would be energetically favorable for dwelling in an ephemeral Antarctic stream, the genome of Janthinobacterium sp. CG23_2 was on average 1.7 ± 0.6 Mb larger and predicted 1411 ± 499 more coding sequences compared to the other Janthinobacterium spp. Putatively identified horizontal gene transfer events contributed 0.92 Mb to the genome size expansion of Janthinobacterium sp. CG23_2. Genes with high copy numbers in the species-specific accessory genome of Janthinobacterium sp. CG23_2 were associated with environmental sensing, locomotion, response and transcriptional regulation, stress response, and mobile elements—functional categories which also showed molecular adaptation to cold. Our data suggest that genome plasticity and the abundant complementary genes for sensing and responding to the extracellular environment supported the adaptation of Janthinobacterium sp. CG23_2 to this extreme environment.

Microbial Ecology of Extreme Environments: Automobile Air Conditioning Systems

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 658-659
Author(s):  
R.B. Simmons ◽  
L.J. Rose ◽  
S.A. Crow ◽  
D.G. Ahearn
Keyword(s):  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Sick Building Syndrome ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Sick Building ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
Automobile Air Conditioning

Automobile air conditioning systems (ACS) might be considered an extreme environment for many microorganisms. Organisms surviving and proliferating in these systems may be presented with temperature changes ranging from subzero to over 140°F, water activity from saturation to dryness and a nutrient complexity including varying levels of hydrocarbons. Microbial communities develop in ACS and sometimes proliferate to the extent of massive colonization and production of objectionable odors.In a few instances microorganisms emanating from ACS have been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other allergic reactions. Previously we demonstrated that foam insulation and glues, in particular, on ACS insulations were colonized by fungi such as Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. Such fungi often are implicated in colonization of similar substrates in buildings categorized with the sick building syndrome.A total of 42 ACS from the United States, Europe and Central America have been examined by cabin air sampling culture swab, direct microscopy or a combination of these techniques.

The Extreme Environment of High Altitude Gas Ballooning

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 1409-1413
Author(s):  
Nathan J. McNeese ◽  
Nancy J. Cooke ◽  
Steven Shope ◽  
Ashley Knobloch
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Team Cognition ◽  
World Records

Extreme environments often profoundly impact one’s cognition and subsequently the ability to make accurate and correct decisions. Although we are beginning to understand how these environments impact individual and team cognition, more specific work conducted in real extreme environments is needed to further understand this relationship. In this paper, we present data collected in the extreme environment of gas ballooning. Recently, the Two Eagles gas ballooning project set two absolute world records: longest duration in a gas balloon and longest distance in a gas balloon. During this project, our research team was able to collect cognitive abilities data and data on the effects of multiple stressors in the environment. We present the overall project along with some insights from the data. We also highlight lessons learned from attempting to collect data in an extreme environment.

DEVELOPMENT AND FIELD EVALUATION OF A NEW MICROBIAL EOR CONCEPT

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Sheehy
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Petroleum Reservoirs ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
Over 40 Years

For over 40 years it has been speculated that bacteria can facilitate, increase or extend oil production from petroleum reservoirs. This speculation was supported in the laboratory by dramatic increases in oil recovered from experimental systems and in the field by anecdotal accounts of improvements in oil production. Most of these studies were poorly conceived and inadequately controlled. This drew industry criticism and created an environment where proposals to implement microbiologically enhanced oil recovery (microbial EOR) were summarily dismissed. The program implemented for the Alton Field, Surat Basin, was designed to overcome industry scepticism and document unambiguously in the field the effectiveness of a new microbial EOR strategy called Biological Stimulation of Oil production (BOS). An approximate 40 per cent increase in oil production has been sustained, compared to control operations on the same well, for eighteen months.The thrust to introduce pilot and field programs of BOS is compelling. BOS shares the advantages common to all biotechnologies in exploiting the extraordinary growth potential of microorganisms, providing flexibility through the extreme diversity of microbial metabolites and using cheap feedstocks. The BOS process generates ultramicrocells from those bacteria present naturally in the reservoir to be treated. This promotes injectivity, dispersion and persistence of the BOS system in the extreme environments which characterise petroleum reservoirs. The nutrients injected with the ultramicrocells result in metabolites forming within the bacterial cell surface. These metabolites cause re-profiling of the formation through the generation of emulsions and the development of concentrated surfactants at the oil-water interface.Ecological strategies designed to negate previously documented problems in the application of microbial EOR have been shown to be effective in laboratory experiments and field applications. Overcoming environmental extremes and developing persistence of beneficial organisms have been given special attention.

scholarly journals Context-dependent effects of relative temperature extremes on bill morphology in a songbird

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 192203
Author(s):  
Katie LaBarbera ◽  
Kyle J. Marsh ◽  
Kia R. R. Hayes ◽  
Talisin T. Hammond
Keyword(s):  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Environmental Context ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Relative Temperature ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Bill Morphology ◽  
Thermoregulatory Function ◽  
Cool Climate

Species increasingly face environmental extremes. Morphological responses to changes in average environmental conditions are well documented, but responses to environmental extremes remain poorly understood. We used museum specimens to investigate relationships between a thermoregulatory morphological trait, bird bill surface area (SA) and a measure of short-term relative temperature extremity (RTE), which quantifies the degree that temperature maxima or minima diverge from the 5-year norm. Using a widespread, generalist species, Junco hyemalis , we found that SA exhibited different patterns of association with RTE depending on the overall temperature regime and on precipitation. While thermoregulatory function predicts larger SA at higher RTE, we found this only when the RTE existed in an environmental context that opposed it: atypically cold minimum temperature in a warm climate, or atypically warm maximum temperature in a cool climate. When environmental context amplified the RTE, we found a negative relationship between SA and RTE. We also found that the strength of associations between SA and RTE increased with precipitation. Our results suggest that trait responses to environmental variation may qualitatively differ depending on the overall environmental context, and that environmental change that extremifies already-extreme environments may produce responses that cannot be predicted from observations in less-extreme contexts.

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