The NASA Twins Study: A multidimensional analysis of a year-long human spaceflight.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Garrett-Bakelman FE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7580864 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
The NASA Twins Study: A multidimensional analysis of a year-long human spaceflight.
Garrett-Bakelman Francine E FE Darshi Manjula M Green Stefan J SJ Gur Ruben C RC Lin Ling L Macias Brandon R BR McKenna Miles J MJ Meydan Cem C Mishra Tejaswini T Nasrini Jad J Piening Brian D BD Rizzardi Lindsay F LF Sharma Kumar K Siamwala Jamila H JH Taylor Lynn L Vitaterna Martha Hotz MH Afkarian Maryam M Afshinnekoo Ebrahim E Ahadi Sara S Ambati Aditya A Arya Maneesh M Bezdan Daniela D Callahan Colin M CM Chen Songjie S Choi Augustine M K AMK Chlipala George E GE Contrepois Kévin K Covington Marisa M Crucian Brian E BE De Vivo Immaculata I Dinges David F DF Ebert Douglas J DJ Feinberg Jason I JI Gandara Jorge A JA George Kerry A KA Goutsias John J Grills George S GS Hargens Alan R AR Heer Martina M Hillary Ryan P RP Hoofnagle Andrew N AN Hook Vivian Y H VYH Jenkinson Garrett G Jiang Peng P Keshavarzian Ali A Laurie Steven S SS Lee-McMullen Brittany B Lumpkins Sarah B SB MacKay Matthew M Maienschein-Cline Mark G MG Melnick Ari M AM Moore Tyler M TM Nakahira Kiichi K Patel Hemal H HH Pietrzyk Robert R Rao Varsha V Saito Rintaro R Salins Denis N DN Schilling Jan M JM Sears Dorothy D DD Sheridan Caroline K CK Stenger Michael B MB Tryggvadottir Rakel R Urban Alexander E AE Vaisar Tomas T Van Espen Benjamin B Zhang Jing J Ziegler Michael G MG Zwart Sara R SR Charles John B JB Kundrot Craig E CE Scott Graham B I GBI Bailey Susan M SM Basner Mathias M Feinberg Andrew P AP Lee Stuart M C SMC Mason Christopher E CE Mignot Emmanuel E Rana Brinda K BK Smith Scott M SM Snyder Michael P MP Turek Fred W FW
Science (New York, N.Y.) 20190401 6436
To understand the health impact of long-duration spaceflight, one identical twin astronaut was monitored before, during, and after a 1-year mission onboard the International Space Station; his twin served as a genetically matched ground control. Longitudinal assessments identified spaceflight-specific changes, including decreased body mass, telomere elongation, genome instability, carotid artery distension and increased intima-media thickness, altered ocular structure, transcriptional and metabo ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:Historically, International Space Station (ISS) exercise countermeasures have not fully protected astronauts' musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness. Although these losses have been reduced on more recent missions, decreasing the time required to perform in-flight exercise would permit reallocation of that time to other tasks. To evaluate the effectiveness of a new training prescription, ISS crewmembers performed either the high intensity/lower volume integrated Sprint resistance (3?d?wk-1) and aerobic (interval and continuous workouts, each 3?d?wk-1 in alternating fashion) exercise program (n?=?9: 8M/1F, 48?±?7?y, 178?±?5?cm, 77.7?±?12.0?kg) or the standard ISS countermeasure consisting of daily resistance and aerobic exercise (n?=?17: 14M/3F, 46?±?6?y, 176?±?6?cm, 80.6?±?10.5?kg) during long-duration spaceflight. Bone mineral density (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)), muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometry), muscle function (cone agility test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) were assessed pre- and postflight. Mixed-effects modeling was used to analyze dependent measures with alpha set at P?<?0.05. After spaceflight, femoral neck bone mineral density (-1.7%), knee extensor peak torque (-5.8%), cone agility test time (+7.4%), and VO2peak (-6.1%) were decreased in both groups (simple main effects of time, all P?<?0.05) with a few group?×?time interaction effects detected for which Sprint experienced either attenuated or no loss compared to control. Although physiologic outcomes were not appreciably different between the two exercise programs, to conserve time and optimally prepare crewmembers for the performance of physically demanding mission tasks, high intensity/lower volume training should be an indispensable component of spaceflight exercise countermeasure prescriptions.
| S-EPMC7434884 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study presents the first global transcriptional profiling and phenotypic characterization of the major human opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, grown in spaceflight conditions. Microarray analysis revealed that C. albicans subjected to short-term spaceflight culture differentially regulated 454 genes compared to synchronous ground controls, which represented 8.4% of the analyzed ORFs. Spaceflight-cultured C. albicans induced genes involved in cell aggregation (similar to flocculation), which was validated by microscopic and flow cytometry analysis. We also observed enhanced random budding of spaceflight-cultured cells as opposed to more normal bipolar budding patterns for ground samples, in accordance with the gene expression data. Furthermore, genes involved in antifungal agent and stress resistance were differentially regulated in spaceflight, including induction of ABC transporters and members of the major facilitator family, downregulation of ergosterol-encoding genes, and upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress resistance. Finally, downregulation of genes involved in the actin cytoskeleton was observed. Interestingly, the transcriptional regulator Cap1 and over 30% of the Cap1 regulon was differentially expressed in spaceflight-cultured C. albicans. A potential role for Cap1 in the spaceflight response of C. albicans is suggested, as this regulator is involved in random budding, cell aggregation, actin cytoskeleton, and oxidative stress resistance; all related to observed spaceflight-associated changes of C. albicans. While culture of C. albicans in microgravity potentiates a global change in gene expression that could induce a virulence-related phenotype, no increased virulence in a murine intraperitoneal (i.p.) infection model was observed. This study represents an important basis for the assessment of the risk that commensal flora could play during spaceflight missions. Furthermore, since the low fluid-shear environment of microgravity is relevant to physical forces encountered by pathogens during the infection process, insights gained from this study could identify novel infectious disease mechanisms, with downstream benefits for the general public.
2013-11-01 | GSE50881 | GEO
Project description:This study presents the first global transcriptional profiling and phenotypic characterization of the major human opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, grown in spaceflight conditions. Microarray analysis revealed that C. albicans subjected to short-term spaceflight culture differentially regulated 454 genes compared to synchronous ground controls, which represented 8.4% of the analyzed ORFs. Spaceflight-cultured C. albicans induced genes involved in cell aggregation (similar to flocculation), which was validated by microscopic and flow cytometry analysis. We also observed enhanced random budding of spaceflight-cultured cells as opposed to more normal bipolar budding patterns for ground samples, in accordance with the gene expression data. Furthermore, genes involved in antifungal agent and stress resistance were differentially regulated in spaceflight, including induction of ABC transporters and members of the major facilitator family, downregulation of ergosterol-encoding genes, and upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress resistance. Finally, downregulation of genes involved in the actin cytoskeleton was observed. Interestingly, the transcriptional regulator Cap1 and over 30% of the Cap1 regulon was differentially expressed in spaceflight-cultured C. albicans. A potential role for Cap1 in the spaceflight response of C. albicans is suggested, as this regulator is involved in random budding, cell aggregation, actin cytoskeleton, and oxidative stress resistance; all related to observed spaceflight-associated changes of C. albicans. While culture of C. albicans in microgravity potentiates a global change in gene expression that could induce a virulence-related phenotype, no increased virulence in a murine intraperitoneal (i.p.) infection model was observed. This study represents an important basis for the assessment of the risk that commensal flora could play during spaceflight missions. Furthermore, since the low fluid-shear environment of microgravity is relevant to physical forces encountered by pathogens during the infection process, insights gained from this study could identify novel infectious disease mechanisms, with downstream benefits for the general public. Cells were grown for 24 hours on the space shuttle or as ground-based controls, preserved in RNALater, and stored at -80C. Four samples of each flight- and ground-based controls were harvested for microarray analysis. GAP is Group Activation Pack and each GAP contains 8 FPAs. The numbers represent the # assigned to the particular GAP and the number assigned to the specific FPA (1-8) within the indicated GAP. The same hardware is used for the flight samples and the ground samples.
2013-11-01 | E-GEOD-50881 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:In order to maintain crew health and performance during long-duration spaceflight outside of low-Earth orbit, NASA and its international partners must be capable of providing a safe and effective pharmacy. Given few directed studies of pharmaceuticals in the space environment, it is difficult to characterize pharmaceutical effectiveness or stability during spaceflight; this in turn makes it challenging to select an appropriate formulary for exploration. Here, we present the current state of literature regarding pharmaceutical stability, metabolism, and effectiveness during spaceflight. In particular, we have attempted to highlight the gaps in current knowledge and the difficulties in translating terrestrial-based drug studies to a meaningful interpretation of drug stability, safety, and effectiveness in space. We hope to identify high-yield opportunities for future research that might better define and mitigate pharmaceutical risk for exploration missions.
| S-EPMC6565689 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Liquid biopsies based on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) or exosomes provide a noninvasive approach to monitor human health and disease but have not been utilized for astronauts. Here, we profile cfDNA characteristics, including fragment size, cellular deconvolution, and nucleosome positioning, in an astronaut during a year-long mission on the International Space Station, compared to his identical twin on Earth and healthy donors. We observed a significant increase in the proportion of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) inflight, and analysis of post-flight exosomes in plasma revealed a 30-fold increase in circulating exosomes and patient-specific protein cargo (including brain-derived peptides) after the year-long mission. This longitudinal analysis of astronaut cfDNA during spaceflight and the exosome profiles highlights their utility for astronaut health monitoring, as well as cf-mtDNA levels as a potential biomarker for physiological stress or immune system responses related to microgravity, radiation exposure, and the other unique environmental conditions of spaceflight.
| S-EPMC7756145 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Spaceflight causes muscle wasting. The Sarcolab pilot study investigated two astronauts with regards to plantar flexor muscle size, architecture, and function, and to the underlying molecular adaptations in order to further the understanding of muscular responses to spaceflight and exercise countermeasures. Two crew members (A and B) spent 6 months in space. Crew member A trained less vigorously than B. Postflight, A showed substantial decrements in plantar flexor volume, muscle architecture, in strength and in fiber contractility, which was strongly mitigated in B. The difference between these crew members closely reflected FAK-Y397 abundance, a molecular marker of muscle's loading history. Moreover, crew member A showed downregulation of contractile proteins and enzymes of anaerobic metabolism, as well as of systemic markers of energy and protein metabolism. However, both crew members exhibited decrements in muscular aerobic metabolism and phosphate high energy transfer. We conclude that countermeasures can be effective, particularly when resistive forces are of sufficient magnitude. However, to fully prevent space-related muscular deterioration, intersubject variability must be understood, and intensive exercise countermeasures programs seem mandatory. Finally, proteomic and metabolomic analyses suggest that exercise benefits in space may go beyond mere maintenance of muscle mass, but rather extend to the level of organismic metabolism.
| S-EPMC6141586 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Gut microbiome signature for cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective Twin and Family Study
| PRJEB28350 | ENA
Project description:With the advent of novel and emerging technologies, long duration spaceflight will become more common; along with it, an increase in its inherent health risks. However, health-related ethical issues arising during long-duration spaceflight remain poorly characterized, uncertain and unpredictable. Medical ethics is defined as a set of moral principles, beliefs and values that guides choices about medical care. This set of principles, founded in our sense of right and wrong, helps us make fair and just decisions. The paper conceptually and analytically investigates the ethical issues likely to arise from medical complications during spaceflight, mapping unfilled gaps of the current status quo. Furthermore, this paper explores broad ethical themes of autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice, while also delving deeper into specific scenarios within each theme. The manuscript represents an up-to-date review of the available literature in the field of space medical ethics and recommends guiding ethical principles and a framework for their application to negotiate the resolution of complex ethical scenarios during long-duration spaceflight.
| S-EPMC10684496 | biostudies-literature
Project description: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.
| S-EPMC7835980 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We explored genetic influences on the perception of taste and smell stimuli. Adult twins rated the chemosensory aspects of water, sucrose, sodium chloride, citric acid, ethanol, quinine hydrochloride, phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), potassium chloride, calcium chloride, cinnamon, androstenone, Galaxolide™, cilantro, and basil. For most traits, individual differences were stable over time and some traits were heritable (h(2) from 0.41 to 0.71). Subjects were genotyped for 44 single nucleotide polymorphisms within and near genes related to taste and smell. The results of these association analyses confirmed previous genotype-phenotype results for PTC, quinine, and androstenone. New associations were detected for ratings of basil and a bitter taste receptor gene, TAS2R60, and between cilantro and variants in three genes (TRPA1, GNAT3, and TAS2R50). The flavor of ethanol was related to variation within an olfactory receptor gene (OR7D4) and a gene encoding a subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (SCNN1D). Our study demonstrates that person-to-person differences in the taste and smell perception of simple foods and drinks are partially accounted for by genetic variation within chemosensory pathways.
| S-EPMC3589946 | biostudies-literature