[STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF THE LYMPH TISSUE OF MICE LYMPHATIC NODES FOLLOWING THE 30-DAY FLIGHT ONBOARD SPACECRAFT BION-M1].

The article reports the results of studying the lymph tissue of mesenteric and cervical lymphatic nodes in C57BL/6N mice after the 30-day orbital flight onboard biosatellite Bion-M1. Histological and morphometric investigations revealed changes in the ratio of the nodes structural-functional zones and microstructure. Reductions in reticular cells, plasmocytes, macrophages and blasts in the nodes point to degradation of both humoral and cellular immunity.

[REARRANGEMENT OF THE LYMPH TISSUE IN THE MICE SPLEEN AND JEJUNUM WALL DURING THE GROUND-BASED REPRODUCTION OF THE CONDITIONS OF ANIMAL MAINTENANCE IN THE BIOSATTELITE BION-M1 MISSION].

Purpose of the investigation was microscopic examination of changes in cyto architectonics of the spleen and jejunum lymph (immune) tissue in 19-20-week C57BL/6N male mice exposed to some conditions their counterparts had lived in during the 30-d Bion-M1 mission (ground experiment). Local deviations in reactions of the morphofunctional zones of these organs were found. In the spleen, reaction in the centers of lymph nodules generation or the B-lymphocytes maturation zone grows strong. Changes in the cell composition of periarterial lymph sheaths that constitute the morphological site of T-lymphocytes accumulation suggest inhibition of its functional activity. Cell composition of the jejunum wall structure implies a decline of the jejunal immune activity. Our investigation of the organs taken from the ground control mice maintained in the flight BIOS-MLZh module evidences that unceasing noise, hypokinesia, isolation, and paste-like feed weaken general immunity of laboratory animals.

[The BION-M1 project: overview and first results].

Biosatellite BION-M1 was launched on April 19 and landed on May 19, 2013. The mission program was largely a continuation of the earlier flown 11 BION projects, FOTON-M2 and FOTON-M3. The biosatellite was inhabited by a great variety of living organisms used for experiments and studies in gravitational physiology, gravitational biology, biotechnology, astrobiology and radiation biology, dosimetry and spectrometry. This was the first time in the history of national biology and physiology when male mice C57bl/6 were chosen for a long-term space experiment focused upon molecular biology investigations. Unfortunately, because of technical failures during the flight a part of the animals were lost. However, the major objectives were attained through reconsideration of biomaterial division among investigators and completion of virtually the total scope of investigations.

[Experimental studies with mice on the program of the biosatellite BION-M1 mission].

Purpose of the BION-M1 project was laying the evidence and technological basis for addressing the medical issues of future remote space exploration missions by humans. The program of researches with the use of mice was focused on elicitation of cellular and molecular mechanisms of the muscular, cardiovascular and immune reactions to extended exposure in microgravity. The comprehensive studies combined lifetime measurements with investigations of mice tissues and cells by dint of the cutting-edge morphological, biochemical and molecular biology techniques. Males of mice C57/BL6 aged 4 to 5 months were chosen as the object of studies. They were distributed into the flight, ground control and two vivarium (laboratory control) groups and investigated immediately on return and after 7 days of readaptation. Some of the physiological functions were recorded throughout the flight. To ensure wellbeing of the animals in the experiments and to enhance data quality, prior to launch the mice were specially trained so as to accommodate to the group living, eating space food, and in-flight stress factors. Those of the mice that were designated for lifetime investigations were tested and received training pre-launch.

[Biological experiments in flights of unmanned space craft Foton-M2 and Foton-M3].

Missions of unmanned spacecraft Foton-M2 (2005) and Foton-M3 (2007) of 16 and 12 days in duration, respectively, provided an opportunity to conduct the Russian/US experiments with snails (Helix lucorum and Helix aspera), newts (Pleurodeles waltli), geckos (Pachydactilus turneri) and microorganisms (Streptomyces lividans 66, E. coli and others). Besides, Foton-M3 carried a Russian experiment with Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Objectives of the space experiments were to study the micro-g effects on the living systems' behavior, structure and functioning, post-traumatic regeneration of bone and organs, stable inheritance of plasmid pIJ 702, and melanin pigment synthesis by streptomycets. The survey paper presents the major findings of a large team of investigators.

Comparative analysis of the skeletal changes in tetrapods after brief influence of microgravity.

Experiments involving lower tetrapods demonstrate that the degree of skeletal demineralization in spaceflights is related to the type of environmental behaviour of the animal. Probably the sensing of support reaction decreases the negative effect of spaceflight upon the bone tissue.

The effect of hypergravity on carcinogenesis in mice.

In recent years, investigators began studying the effect of hypergravity on pathological developments in the animal and human body. It was shown that a regular exposure of tail suspended rats to normal gravity diminished osteopenia and muscle atrophy. Moderate gravitational loading produced by a G-suit dramatically increased the therapeutic success rate in children with cerebral palsy. Rotation of patients with obliterating endarteritis and limb bone fractures in a short-radius centrifuge in hospitals of the city of Samara (Russia) yielded promising results. The purpose of our investigations was to investigate the effects of hypergravity on chemically induced carcinogenesis in mice. We hypothesized that gravitational loading may produce a generalized effect on the animal body and thus to enhance its nonspecific anti-tumor resistance.

Historical overview of the Bion project.

The Bion project was initiated in 1970 and became the longest space research project in existence. Its primary goal was to perform theoretical and applied research on animals and other specimens flown onboard dedicated unmanned space vehicles, termed biosatellites. The Bion project included flights of 11 biosatellites carrying Wistar rats, rhesus monkeys, and other representatives of the animal and plant worlds. Scientists and engineers from many different countries have taken part in these Bion experiments.

Bion 11 mission: primate experiments.

A summary is provided of the major operations required to conduct the wide range of primate experiments on the Bion 11 mission, which flew for 14 days beginning December 24, 1996. Information is given on preflight preparations, including flight candidate selection and training; attachment and implantation of bioinstrumentation; flight and ground experiment designs; onboard life support and test systems; ground and flight health monitoring; flight monkey selection and transport to the launch site; inflight procedures and data collection; postflight examinations and experiments; and assessment of results.

Space flight experiment on Chinese silkworm on board the Russian 10th Biosatellite.

Space flight experiments on Chinese silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) were conducted on board the Russian 10th Biosatellite for 12 days. The samples included silkworm eggs, larvae, cocoons, pupae and moths. The processes of spinning, cocooning, mating, oviposition, larval hatching, pupation and moth emergence all completed well in space. The following effects of space flight on silkworm development were observed: The times of hatching and oviposition in the flight group were 2 to 3 days earlier than in the control group; the hatching rate of diapause eggs during space flight seemed higher than that of the control group; the life span of 2 of the 7 varieties flown was shortened; genetical variations appeared in 3 varieties. The results showed that the embryonic stage was probably the period most sensitive to the space flight environment.

Human factor in manned Mars mission.

This paper presents the set of specific problems in manned Mars mission, connected with human factor, and scientific approaches for their resolution. The concept of multifunctional medical Complex for Martian spacecraft is discussed.

Concept of "Medilab" orbital bio-medical laboratory.

This paper discusses goals and objectives of the Soviet project to build an orbital bio-medical laboratory "Medilab". Special attention is given to the programme of scientific and practical use, design, structure and information support of the dedicated space laboratory.

Microgravity and musculoskeletal system of mammals.

This review surveys data in the literature and our own findings concerning the effects of weightlessness on bones and muscles of white rats flown on Cosmos biosatellites and Spacelab-3. It has been shown that the magnitude and sign of functional changes in muscles depend on their biomechanical profile. Structural and metabolic foundations of functional adaptation and its dynamics have been identified: in 5-7 day flights muscle contractility changes are mainly associated with a diminished activity of excitation-contraction coupling, in longer-term flights they are produced by changes in myosin populations specific for myofibers of different functional profile. At early flight stages (up to 1 week) osteoporosis and bone demineralization are very mild; therefore decrease in bone mechanical strength may be caused by changes in physico-chemical parameters of the collagen-crystal system. In flights of up to 3 weeks noticeable osteoporosis develops which is primarily produced by osteogenesis inhibition and which is responsible for a marked decrease of bone strength. These changes may result from uncoupling of bone resorption and remodelling processes. This uncoupling is characterized as incomplete osteogenesis and may be caused by changes in the collagen composition of the organic bone matrix. The above-mentioned adaptive changes in muscle functions of specific skeletal compartments may play a role in different responses of various bones to weightlessness.