NASA Human Research Wiki - An Online Collaboration Tool

In preparation for exploration-class missions, the Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC) element of NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) has compiled a large evidence base, which previously was available only to persons within the NASA community. The evidence base is comprised of several types of data, for example: information on more than 80 medical conditions which could occur during space flight, derived from several sources (including data on incidence and potential outcomes of these medical conditions, as captured in the Integrated Medical Model's Clinical Finding Forms). In addition, approximately 35 gap reports are included in the evidence base, identifying current understanding of the medical challenges for exploration, as well as any gaps in knowledge and/or technology that would need to be addressed in order to provide adequate medical support for these novel missions. In an effort to make the ExMC information available to the general public and increase collaboration with subject matter experts within and outside of NASA, ExMC has developed an online collaboration tool, very similar to a wiki, titled the NASA Human Research Wiki. The platform chosen for this data sharing, and the potential collaboration it could generate, is a MediaWiki-based application that would house the evidence, allow "read only" access to all visitors to the website, and editorial access to credentialed subject matter experts who have been approved by the Wiki's editorial board. Although traditional wikis allow users to edit information in real time, the NASA Human Research Wiki includes a peer review process to ensure quality and validity of information. The wiki is also intended to be a pathfinder project for other HRP elements that may want to use this type of web-based tool. The wiki website will be released with a subset of the data described and will continue to be populated throughout the year

MidA is a putative methyltransferase that is required for mitochondrial complex I function

10 páginas, 6 figuras.-- et al.Dictyostelium and human MidA are homologous proteins that belong to a family of proteins of unknown function called DUF185. Using yeast two-hybrid screening and pull-down experiments, we showed that both proteins interact with the mitochondrial complex I subunit NDUFS2. Consistent with this, Dictyostelium cells lacking MidA showed a specific defect in complex I activity, and knockdown of human MidA in HEK293T cells resulted in reduced levels of assembled complex I. These results indicate a role for MidA in complex I assembly or stability. A structural bioinformatics analysis suggested the presence of a methyltransferase domain; this was further supported by site-directed mutagenesis of specific residues from the putative catalytic site. Interestingly, this complex I deficiency in a Dictyostelium midA- mutant causes a complex phenotypic outcome, which includes phototaxis and thermotaxis defects. We found that these aspects of the phenotype are mediated by a chronic activation of AMPK, revealing a possible role of AMPK signaling in complex I cytopathology.This work was supported by grants BMC2006-00394 and BMC2009-09050 to R.E. from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; to P.R.F. from the Thyne Reid Memorial Trusts and the Australian Research Council; to A.V. and O.G. from the Spanish National Bioinformatics Institute (www.inab.org), a platform of Genome Spain; to R.G. from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (PI070167) and from the Comunidad de Madrid (GEN-0269/2006). S.C. is supported by a research contract from Consejería de Educación de la Comunidad de Madrid y del Fondo Social Europeo (FSE).Peer Reviewe

Portacaval shunt causes apoptosis and liver atrophy in rats despite increases in endogenous levels of major hepatic growth factors

Background/Aims: The response to the liver damage caused by portacaval shunt (PCS) is characterized by low-grade hyperplasia and atrophy. To clarify mechanisms of this dissociation, we correlated the expression of 'hepatotrophic factors' and the antihepatotrophic and proapoptotic peptide, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, with the pathologic changes caused by PCS in rats. Methods: PCS was created by side-to-side anastomosis between the portal vein and inferior vena cava, with ligation of the hilar portal vein. Hepatic growth mediators were measured to 2 months. Results: The decrease in the liver/body weight ratio during the first 7 days which stabilized by day 15, corresponded to parenchymal cell apoptosis and increases in hepatic TGF-β concentration that peaked at 1.4 × baseline at 15 days before returning to control levels by day 30. Variable increases in the concentrations of growth promoters (hepatocyte growth factor, TGF-α and augmenter of liver regeneration) also occurred during the period of hepatocellular apoptosis. Conclusions: The development of hepatic atrophy was associated with changes in TGF-β concentration, and occurred despite increased expression of multiple putative growth promoters. The findings suggest that apoptosis set in motion by TGF-β constrains the amount of hepatocyte proliferation independently from control of liver volume. © 2002 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Effects of aluminium chloride on some essential elements in pregnant rats and their offspring

Le but de notre étude est d’établir une relation de causalité entre l’injection intrapéritonéale d’AlCl3 et les variations plasmatiques et tissulaires des teneurs en calcium, magnésium, cuivre, zinc, phosphore et fer chez les rates gestantes et leurs foetus. Les rates gestantes sont injectées du 9ème au 13ème jour de la gestation par différentes doses d’AlCl3 (50, 100 et 200 mg/kg.j). Les éléments essentiels sont analysés dans le sang, les reins, le foie et l’intestin des animaux par spectrophotométrie d’absorption atomique. Les résultats montrent, après traitement par AlCl3, une augmentation des concentrations en calcium, fer et phosphore hépatique, aussi bien qu’en fer et phosphore au niveau rénal, et une diminution des concentrations en magnésium rénal et intestinal, en zinc hépatique, en cuivre hépatique et rénal, et en fer intestinal chez les rates gestantes et surtout pour les fortes doses. On a aussi noté une augmentation des concentrations en calcium, en phosphore et en zinc dans le plasma des rates gestantes et une diminution dans la concentration en magnésium dans le plasma des rates gestantes et leurs foetus pour les doses élevées d’AlCl3. Ces résultats prouvent que le passage de l’aluminium aux foetus suite au traitement des mères cause des perturbations dans le métabolisme des éléments essentiels

ANTENNES RELAIS TELEPHONIQUES : QUELS EFFETS SUR LA SANTE ? Enquête réalisée sur une population casablancaise »

This study was conducted among a Casablanca population (n = 700) living or not in vicinity of cellular phone base stations through a questionnaire. The data collected were entered and processed using the sphinx Lexica which is a survey software and data analysis which includes the chi-square test. The results obtained show that there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between witnesses and people close to these relay stations for the various symptoms including insomnia, nausea, dizziness, lack of appetite, auditory disturbances and visual disturbances. In the group of people near the antennas, there are significant differences (p<0.05) of different symptoms in relation to : sex, age, distance and location relative to the base station, duration and time of exposure, and the joint use a laptop and other devices emitting electromagnetic waves.Cette étude à été réalisée chez une population casablancaise habitant ou non à proximité des antennes relais (n=700) par le biais d’un questionnaire. Les données recueillies ont été saisies et traitées en utilisant le sphinx lexica qui est un logiciel d’enquêtes et d’analyses des données qui comporte le test Chi-deux. Les résultats obtenus montrent qu’il existe une différence significative (p<0.05) entre les témoins et les habitants à proximité de ces stations relais pour les différents symptômes notamment : l’insomnie, nausées, vertiges, manque d’appétit, perturbations auditives et perturbations visuelles. Dans le groupe des habitants à coté des antennes relais, il existe des différences significatives (p<0.05) des différents symptômes par rapport aux : sexe, âge, distance et situation par rapport à l’antenne relais, durée et temps d’exposition, et l’usage conjoint d’un portable et d’autres appareils dégageant des ondes électromagnétiques

Symptômes rapportés par une population casablancaise utilisatrice de téléphones mobiles

This study was conducted in a Casablanca population that uses or not mobile phones (n = 700) through a questionnaire. The data collected were entered and processed using the sphinx Lexica which is a survey software and data analysis which includes the chi-square test. The results obtained show that there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between users and no-users of mobile phones for various symptoms including insomnia, nausea, dizziness, lack of appetite, auditory disturbances and visual disturbances. In the group of mobile users, there are significant differences (p<0.05) of different symptoms in relation to : sex, age, duration and frequency of use of GSM, call duration, use or not the handsfree kits and joint use of a laptop and other devices emitting electromagnetic waves.Cette étude a été réalisée chez une population casablancaise utilisatrice ou non de téléphones mobiles (n=700) par le biais d’un questionnaire. Les données recueillies ont été saisies et traitées en utilisant le sphinx lexica qui est un logiciel d’enquêtes et d’analyses des données qui comporte le test Chi-deux. Les résultats obtenus montrent qu’il existe une différence significative (p<0.05) entre les utilisateurs et les non-utilisateurs de téléphones mobiles pour les différents symptômes rapportés, notamment l’insomnie, nausées, vertiges, manque d’appétit, perturbations auditives et perturbations visuelles. Dans le groupe utilisateurs des téléphones portables, il existe des différences significatives (p<0.05) des différents symptômes par rapport aux : sexe, âge, durée et fréquence d’utilisation des GSM, durée des communications, utilisation ou non des kits mains libres et l’usage d’un portable associé à un ordinateur et d’autres appareils dégageant des ondes électromagnétiques