Properties of electrophoretic fractions of human embryonic kidney cells separated on Space Shuttle flight STS-8.

Suspensions of cultured primary human embryonic kidney cells were subjected to continuous flow electrophoresis on Space Shuttle flight STS-8. The objectives of the experiments were to obtain electrophoretically separated fractions of the original cell populations and to test these fractions for the amount and kind of urokinase (a kidney plasminogen activator that is used medically for digesting blood clots), the morphologies of cells in the individual fractions, and their cellular electrophoretic mobilities after separation and subsequent proliferation. Individual fractions were successfully cultured after return from orbit, and they were found to differ substantially from one another and from the starting sample with respect to all of these properties.     

An overview of Allied-Signal's avionics development in the CIS

AlliedSignal Commercial Avionics Systems (ASCAS) and its partners have established the following business objectives: short term (forward-fit and retrofit with off-the-shelf products; co-development of integrated systems); mid term (co-production of avionics products in the CIS); long term (become an integrated element of CIS aerospace industry in partnership with local firms and to maintain the necessary focus to achieve these goals). ASCAS has formed a strategic business enterprise which is dedicated to developing the avionics market within the CIS. ASCAS was fortunate to find a joint venture partner who possesses skills that complement its present core competencies. The advantage of this business arrangement is that, while expanding their experience and expertise in the area of systems integration, they can directly benefit from the expertise and capabilities of indigenous airframe and equipment manufacturers (customer knowledge, simulation and integration experience, capable/skilled manpower)     

New atmospheric temperature results from the pioneer Venus entry probes

New Venus temperature profiles, derived from engineering measurements of the Small Probe Net Flux Radiometer (SNFR) instruments generally confirm to high accuracy the vertical structure and horizontal temperature contrast results of Seiff et al. /1/.     

Yohkoh results in the context of the high-latitude heliosphere

Designed primarily to study solar activity, Yohkoh includes an X-ray telescope that obtains full-sun coronal images which show a range of features. Coronal X-ray emission-exclusive of flares, is notable for its variability even in the largest structures. A mass ejection event is related to magnetic field reconnection. Such events exhibit both accelerated and decelerated behaviour. Coronal hole temperatures are estimated from the filter ratio method. A plasma component at around 2.10⁶ K is identified. X-ray emission is detected from the South polar coronal hole. A preliminary comparison of Spartan coronagraph images with Yohkoh data suggests that polar plumes or rays are not connected to bright points.     

Flight test evaluation of a 35 GHz forward looking altimeter forterrain avoidance

Honeywell has conducted a series of flight tests of a 35 GHz digital microprocessor controlled forward looking radar altimeter. A Bell 206L Jet Ranger helicopter was used to evaluate the capability of the sensor as a detector of various types of terrain collision hazards. The sensor was composed of a covert, spread spectrum radar altimeter processor driving a 35 GHz converter and antenna assembly mounted on a steerable platform. Excellent correlation between predicted performance and observed performance was obtained     

Microorganisms and enzyme activity in permafrost after removal of long-term cold stress

Associations of immobilized microbial cells and organic-mineral complexes containing active enzymes are resistant to long-term (from tens of thousands to millions of years) effects of extremely low temperatures. This association enables the cells to restore their metabolic activity during permafrost thawing, because interactions with the heterogenous medium is made possible by the availability of active immobilized enzymes. The long-term effect of the cold probably favors an adaptational change of microbial metabolism that activates enzymes and cells during thawing.     

Deoxyribonucleoprotein structure and radiation injury: cellular radiosensitivity is determined by LET infinity -dependent DNA damage in hydrated deoxyribonucleoproteins and the extent of its repair.

For decades, theories of cellular radiosensitivity relied upon the initial patterns of energy deposition to explain radiation lethality. Such theories are unsound: cellular (DNA) repair also underlies cellular radiosensitivity. For the charged particles encountered in deep space, both the types of DNA damage caused in cellular deoxyribonucleoproteins and the efficacies of their repair are dependent on linear energy transfer (LET infinity), and repair efficiency is also influenced by cell and tissue type, i.e., the actual recovery processes involved. Therefore, quality factors derived from radiation quality alone are inadequate parameters for assessing the radiation risks of space flight. Until recently, OH radicals formed in bulk nuclear water were believed to be the major causes of DNA damage that results in cell death, especially for sparsely ionizing radiations. That hypothesis has now been challenged, if not refuted. Lethal genomic DNA damage is determined mainly by energy deposition in deoxyribonucleoproteins, and their hydration shells, and charge (energy) transfer processes within those structures.     

Development of countermeasures for medical problems encountered in space flight.

By the turn of this century, long-duration space missions, either in low Earth orbit or for got early planetary missions, will become commonplace. From the physiological standpoint, exposure to the weightless environment results in changes in body function, some of which are adaptive in nature and some of which can be life threatening. Important issues such as environmental health, radiation protection, physical deconditioning, and bone and muscle loss are of concern to life scientists and mission designers. Physical conditioning techniques such as exercise are not sufficient to protect future space travellers. A review of past experience with piloted missions has shown that gradual breakdown in bone and muscle tissue, together with fluid losses, despite a vigorous exercise regimen can ultimately lead to increased evidence of renal stones, musculoskeletal injuries, and bone fractures. Biological effects of radiation can, over long periods of time increase the risk of cancer development. Today, a vigorous program of study on the means to provide a complex exercise regimen to the antigravity muscles and skeleton is under study. Additional evaluation of artificial gravity as a mechanism to counteract bone and muscle deconditioning and cardiovascular asthenia is under study. New radiation methods are being developed. This paper will deal with the results of these studies.     

Radiation protection against early and late effects of ionizing irradiation by the prostaglandin inhibitor indomethacin.

Protective effects of indomethacin, a prototype prostaglandin-inhibiting agent, against early and late sequelae of radiation injury (after X-rays or gamma rays) in mice were investigated. The following tissues or organs were examined: hematopoietic tissue, esophagus, jejunum, colon, lung, hair follicles, and tissues involved in the development of radiation-induced leg contractures. In addition, the effect of indomethacin was tested against radiation-induced carcinogenesis. In all experiments, the radiation was delivered as a single dose. Indomethacin led to significant protection of hematopoietic tissue, by a factor of 1.3. There was also some protection against radiation-induced pneumonitis and against radiation-induced carcinogenesis (protection factor of 1.2). The other tissues tested showed no change in their radioresponse after being treated with indomethacin. Thus, indomethacin can act as a radioprotective agent against both early and late sequelae of radiation, but its effect is dependent on the tissue tested. This protection is smaller than that observed with WR-2721. However, indomethacin combined with WR-2721 produced a radioprotective effect greater than the radioprotection achieved by individual treatments.     

Radiosensibility of higher plant seeds after space flight.

The influence of long-term storage of higher plant seeds under space flight conditions (49 to 827 days) on their radiosensibility was studied in the experiments on the orbital stations Salyut 6 and 7. Short-term storage has been proved to have no effect on radiosensitivity of Crepis capillaris seeds. Only in the case of maximal exposure duration the frequency of chromosome aberrations in post-flight irradiated seeds significantly exceeded the chromosome aberration frequency in the ground-based irradiated control. A statistically significant increase in the number of cells with multiple chromosome aberrations was also observed in this experiment. After gamma-irradiation of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds the germinating ability and survival rate of plants decreased depending on the duration of seed storage. Flight-exposed seeds were more sensitive to irradiations with respect to these parameters. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of recessive lethal mutations was observed only in two experiments of long exposure duration.