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At least 415 records · Page 23

GH/IGF-I Transgene Expression on Muscle Homeostasis

We propose to test the hypothesis that the growth hormone/ insulin like growth factor-I axis through autocrine/paracrine mechanisms may provide long term muscle homeostasis under conditions of prolonged weightlessness. As a key alternative to hormone replacement therapy, ectopic production of hGH, growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), and IGF-I will be studied for its potential on muscle mass impact in transgenic mice under simulated microgravity. Expression of either hGH or IGF-I would provide a chronic source of a growth-promoting protein whose biosynthesis or secretion is shut down in space. Muscle expression of the IGF-I transgene has demonstrated about a 20% increase in hind limb muscle mass over control nontransgenic litter mates. These recent experiments, also establish the utility of hind-limb suspension in mice as a workable model to study atrophy in weight bearing muscles. Thus, transgenic mice will be used in hind-limb suspension models to determine the role of GH/IGF-I on maintenance of muscle mass and whether concentric exercises might act in synergy with hormone treatment. As a means to engineer and ensure long-term protein production that would be workable in humans, gene therapy technology will be used by to monitor muscle mass preservation during hind-limb suspension, after direct intramuscular injection of a genetically engineered muscle-specific vector expressing GHRH. Effects of this gene-based therapy will be assessed in both fast twitch (medial gastrocnemius) and slow twitch muscle (soleus). End-points include muscle size, ultrastructure, fiber type, and contractile function, in normal animals, hind limb suspension, and reambutation.

Schwartz, Robert J.↗

The Formation Age of Comets: Predicted Physical and Chemical Trends

The chemical composition of a comet has always been considered to be a function of where it formed in the nebula. We suggest that the most important factor in determining a comet's chemistry might actually be when it formed. We present specific predictions of correlations between the dust and volatile components to test our hypothesis.

Nuth, Joesph A., III↗

Hypervolemia During Drinking of ISO and Hypertonic Fluids by Men at Rest and Exercise

To test the hypothesis that drink composition is more important than osmolality (osm) for maintaining and increasing plasma vol. (PV, hypervolemia) at rest and exercise (21.8C Tdb, 50% rh), 6 men (22-39 vr) underwent six treatments while sitting for 90 min (0.39 l/min) followed by 70 min of sitting ergometer exercise (2.08 l/min, 70%vO2 peak). Resting, intermittent drinking (10 ml/kg, 768 ml) beverages were: P1 (20 mEq Na+, 365 mosmol/kg), P2 (40 mEq Na+. 791 mosm), P2G (40 mEq Na+, 80 ml glycerol, 1.392 mosm). AA (157 mEq Na+, 253 mosm), and 01 and 02 (nothing). The exercise drink (10 ml/kg, 768 ml) was P1 for all experiments, except 02 (nothing). Resting % delta PV (Hb-Hct) increased (P<0.05) by 3-6% only with P2 and AA, respectively, Exercise % delta PV was + 1 to + 3% (NS) with AA, -6% to 0% (KS) with P1, P2. P2G, and 01,and 8% to -5% (P<0.05) with 02- Thus, AA with 157 mEq Na+ and the lowest osmolality maintained PV at rest and exercise, while the other beverages with low Na+ and higher osmolality (365 to 1.382 mosm) did not.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Low LBNP Tolerance in Men is Associated With Attenuated Activation of Renin-Angiotensin System

Vasoactive hormone concentrations (epinephrine (pE), norepinephrine (pNE), angiotensin II (pATII), vasopressin (pVP), endothelin 1 (pET1)] and plasma renin activity (pRA) were measured during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) to test the hypothesis that responsiveness of the reninangiotensin system is related to LBNP tolerance. Healthy men (2,822 cal per day, 2 mmol per kilogram per day Na (+)) were exposed to 30 min of progressive LBNP to -50mmHg. LBNP was uneventful for 7 men (2512 yr, HiTol group), but 8 men (26 plus or minus 3 yr) reached pre-syncope after 11 plus or minus 1 min (P less than 0.001, LoTol group). Mean arterial pressure was unchanged. Central venous pressure and left atrial diameter decreased in both groups (5-6 mmHg by 30%, P less than 0.05). Control [hormone] were similar but, pRA differed between groups (LoTol 0.6 plus or minus 0.1, HiTol 1.2 plus or minus 0.1 ng Ang1 per milliliter per hour, per hour, P less than 0.05). LBNP increased (P less than 0.05) pRA and pATII more in HiTol (9.9 plus or minus 2.2 ng Ang1 per milliliter per hour and 58 plus or minus 12 pg per milliliter) than LoTol (4.3 plus or minus 0.9 ng Angl per milliliter per hour and 28 plus or minus 6 pg per milliliter). In contrast, pVP was higher (P less than 0.05) in LoTol than in HiTol. The response of the renin-angiotensin system seems linked to the occurrence of pre-syncope, and measurement of resting pRA may be predictive.

Greenleaf, John E.↗

Observational Tests of the Mars Ocean Hypothesis: Selected MOC and MOLA Results

We have begun a detailed analysis of the evidence for and topography of features identified as potential shorelines that have been im-aged by the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) during the Aerobraking Hiatus and Science Phasing Orbit periods of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mission. MOC images, comparable in resolution to high-altitude terrestrial aerial photographs, are particularly well suited to address the morphological expressions of these features at scales comparable to known shore morphologies on Earth. Particularly useful are examples of detailed relationships between potential shore features, such as erosional (and depositional) terraces have been cut into "familiar" pre-existing structures and topography in a fashion that points to a shoreline interpretation as the most likely mechanism for their formation. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Parker, T. J.↗

Low LBNP Tolerance in Men is Associated With Attenuated Activation of The Renin-Angiotensin System

Vasoactive hormone concentrations [epinephrine (pE), norepinephrine (pNE), angiotensin II (pATII), vasopressin (pVP), endothelin 1 (pET1)] and plasma renin activity (pRA) were measured during lower body negative pressure (LBNP) to test the hypothesis that responsiveness of the renin-angiotensin system is related to LBNP tolerance. Healthy men (2,822 cal/day(exp -1), 2 mmol*kg(exp -1)*day(exp -1)) Na(+)) were exposed to 30 minutes of progressive LBNP to -50 mmHg. LBNP was uneventful for seven men (25 +/- 2 years, HiTol group), but eight men (26 +/- 3 years) reached pre-syncope after 11 +/- 1 minutes (P < 0.001, LoTol group). Mean arterial pressure was unchanged. Central venous pressure and left atrial diameter decreased in both groups (5-6 mmHg by approx. 30%, P < 0.05). Control [hormone] were similar but, pRA differed between groups (LoTol 0.6 +/- 0.1, HiTol 1.2 +/- 0.1 ng Ang1/(ml(exp -1)*h(exp -1)), P < 0.05). LBNP increased (P < 0.05) pRA and pATII more in HiTol (9.9 +/- 2.2 ng Ang1/(ml(exp -1)*h(exp -1)) and 58 +/- 12 pg/ml(exp -1)) than LoTol (4.3 +/- 0.9 ng Ang1/(ml*h) and 28 +/- 6 pg/ml(exp -1)). In contrast, pVP was higher (P < 0.05) in LoTol than in HiTol. The response of the renin-angiotensin system seems linked to the occurrence of pre-syncope, and measurement of resting pRA may be predictive.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Giant Impacts and the Distribution of Planetary Obliquities

We have conducted a set of approximately 200 numerical experiments to test the hypothesis that a giant impact leading to the formation of Earth's Moon could have occurred tens of millions of years after most of the small debris in the inner Solar System had been incorporated into terrestrial planets or been removed from the region. More than half of these simulations ended with a giant impact between two of the five terrestrial planets that were initially present. Neglecting any rotational angular momentum prior to the collision, the merged planet typically has a rotation period of less than five hours. The mean planetary obliquity is 91.7 degrees, and the median is 87.9 degrees; thus, there is no statistically significant difference between the number of bodies with prograde rotation and the number with retrograde rotation. There is a paucity of planets with obliquity close to 90 degrees, but the total number of impacts was too small for this result to be of much significance. Several encounters leading to collisions are dominated by three-body effects, with the velocity at impact being slightly less than the free-space escape velocity of the two bodies; the obliquity distribution produced by these impacts appears to be random.

Lissauer, Jack J.↗

Search for Extraterrestrial Origin of Atmospheric Trace Molecules Radio Sub-MM Observations During The Leonids

HCN is a minor constituent of the Earth atmosphere, with a typical volume mixing ratio around 10(exp -10) HCN per air molecule. At present, the main source of HCN in the lower atmosphere is expected to be biomass burning. The atmospheric HCN has been observed since 1981, first in the infrared, then at microwave radio frequencies. Globally, above 30 km, HCN measurements are in excess of model predictions based on standard photochemistry and biomass burning as the only HCN source. This excess has been explained by: 1) ion-catalyzed reactions in the entire stratosphere, involving CH.3CN as a precursor and/or 2) a high altitude source as a result of chemical production from the methyl radical CH3, or from injection or production by meteors. HCN is a minor constituent of cometary ices. HCN polymers or copolymers have been suggested as constituents of cometary refractory organic matter, and would thus be present in the incoming meteoroids, if these polymers survived their stay in interplanetary space after ejection. HCN may also be created from the CN radical decomposition product of organic carbon, after reaction with hydrogen-bearing molecules. To test the hypothesis of HCN input by meteoroids or the formation in the upper atmosphere from meteoric ablation products, we decided to monitor the HCN submillimeter lines around a major shower: the Leonids.

Depois, D.↗

Downward Link of Solar Activity Variations Through Wave Driven Equatorial Oscillations (QBO and SAO)

Signatures of the 11-year solar activity/irradiance cycle are observed in the Quasi Biennial Oscillation (QBO) of the lower stratosphere. At these altitudes, the QBO is understood to be the result of "downward control" exerted by the wave mean flow interactions that drive the phenomenon. It is reasonable then to speculate that the QBO is a natural conduit to lower altitudes of solar activity variations in radiance (SAV). To test this hypothesis, we conducted experiments with a 2D version of our Numerical Spectral Model that incorporates Hines' Doppler Spread Parameterization for small-scale gravity waves (GW). To account for the SAV, we change the solar heating rate on a logarithmic scale from 0.1% at the surface to 1% at 50 kin to 10% at 100 km. With the same GW flux, we then conduct numerical experiments to evaluate the magnitude of the solar activity irradiance effect (SAE) on the zonal circulation at low latitudes. The numerical results obtained show that, under certain conditions, the SAE is significant in the zonal circulation and does extend to lower altitudes where the SAV is small. The differences in the wind velocities can be as large as 5 m/s at 20 kin. We carried out two numerical experiments with integrations over more than 20 years: 1) With the QBO period "tuned" to be 30 months, of academic interest but instructive, the seasonal cycle in the solar forcing [through the Semi-annual Oscillation (SAO)] acts as a strong pacemaker to produce a firm lock on the period and phase of the QBO. The SAE then shows up primarily as a distinct but relatively weak amplitude modulation. 2) With the QBO period between 30 and 34 (or less than 30, presumably) months, the seasonal phase lock is weak compared with (1). The SAV in the seasonal cycle then causes variations in the QBO period and phase, and this amplifies the SAE to produce relatively large variations in the wind field. We conclude that, under realistic conditions as in (2), the solar seasonal forcing, with activity variations in radiance, causes the phase and period of the QBO to change to produce a relatively large solar activity effect in the zonal circulation at low latitudes and low altitudes.

Mengel, J. G.↗

Mechanisms for Midlatitude Ozone Loss: Heterogeneous Chemistry in the Lowermost Stratosphere?

The question of midlatitude ozone erosion by chlorine free radical catalysis is examined. We present and analyze simultaneous, high-resolution observations of ClO, H2O, tropopause height, particle reactive surface area, and ice saturation occurrence frequency obtained from the NASA ER-2 aircraft. The objective is to test the hypothesis that the existence of cirrus clouds or cold aerosols in the first few kilometers above the tropopause at midlatitudes is responsible for increasing the ratio of chlorine free radicals to total inorganic chlorine, thus amplifying the rate of catalytic ozone destruction. The observations reveal a sharp decrease in ice saturation frequency at the tropopause, a marked degree of undersaturation just above the tropopause, a corresponding sharp gradient in the product of cold aerosol reactive surface area and reaction probability, gamma-S(sub a), and, finally, the consistent absence of enhanced concentrations of ClO immediately above the tropopause. These results suggest that midlatitude ozone loss is not controlled in situ by the mechanism of cirrus cloud and/or cold aerosol enhancement of chlorine radicals in the vicinity of the tropopause.

Smith, Jessica B.↗

Effect of Serum from Chickens Treated with Clenbuterol on Myosin Accumulation, Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Population, and Cyclic AM Synthesis in Embryonic Chicken Skeletal Muscle Cell Cultures

Broiler chickens at 35 days of age were fed 1 ppm clenbuterol for 14 days. This level of dietary clenbuterol led to 5-7% increases in weights of leg and breast muscle tissue. At the end of the 14-day period, serum was prepared from both control and clenbuterol-treated chickens and was then employed as a component of cell culture media at a final concentration of 20% (v/v). Muscle cell cultures were prepared from both the leg and breast muscle groups of twelve-day chick embryos. Treatment groups included control chicken serum to which 10 nM, 50 nM, and 1 micron clenbuterol had been added, as well as cells grown in media containing 10% horse serum. Cultures were subjected to each treatment for 3 days beginning on the seventh day in culture. Neither the percent fusion nor the number of nuclei in myotubes were significantly affected by any of the treatments. The quantity of MHC was not increased by serum from clenbuterol-treated chickens in either breast and leg muscle cultures; however, MHC quantity was 50- 100% higher in cultures grown in control chicken serum to which 10 nM and 50 nM clenbuterol had also been added. The Beta-AR population was 4,000-7,000 Beta-AR per cell in cultures grown in chicken serum, with leg muscle cultures having approximately 25-30% more receptors than breast muscle cultures. Receptor population was not significantly affected by the presence of clenbuterol or by the presence of serum from clenbuterol-treated chickens. In contrast, the Beta-AR population in leg and breast muscle cultures grown in the presence of 10% horse serum was 18,000-20,000 Beta-AR per cell. Basal concentration of cAMP was not significantly affected by any of the treatments. When cultures grown in chicken serum were stimulated for 10 min with 1 micron isoproterenol, limited increases of 12-20% in cAMP concentration above basal levels were observed. However, when cultures grown in the presence of horse serum were stimulated with 1 micron isoproterenol, increases of 600-800 % in cAMP concentration above basal levels were observed. Thus, not only did cells grown in horse serum have a higher Beta-AR population, each receptor had a higher capacity for cAMP synthesis following isoproterenol stimulation. Finally, the hypothesis was tested that clenbuterol exerts its action on muscle protein content by changes in cAMP concentration. No correlation was apparent between basal cAMP concentration and MHC content.

Young, R. B.↗

Neural-Thyroid Interaction on Skeletal Isomyosin in Zero Gravity

The primary goal of the project was to develop a ground based model to first study the role of the nerve and of thyroid hormone (T3) in the regulation of body growth and skeletal muscle growth and differentiation in rodents. A primary objective was to test the hypothesis that normal weight bearing activity is essential for the development of antigravity, slow twitch skeletal muscle and the corresponding slow myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene; whereas, T3 was obligatory for general body and muscle growth and the establishment of fast MHC phenotype in typically fast locomoter muscles. These ground based experiments would provide both the efficacy and background for a spaceflight experiment (referred to as the Neurolab Mission) jointly sponsored by the NIH and NASA.

Baldwin, Kenneth M.↗

Effect of Actual and Simulated Microgravity on Cardiac Mass and Function in the Rat

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that exposure to actual or simulated microgravity induces cardiac atrophy in male Sprague-Dawley rats. For the microgravity study, rats were subdivided into four groups: Preflight (PF, n = 12); Flight (FL, n = 7); Flight Cage Simulation (SIM, n = 6), and Vivarium Control (VIV, n = 7). Animals in the FL group were exposed to 7 days of microgravity during the Spacelab 3 mission. Animals in the simulated microgravity study were subdivided into three groups: Control (CON, n = 20); 7 day hindlimb unloaded (7HU, n = 10); and 28 day unloaded (28HU, n = 19). In a subset of CON (n = 7) and 28HU (n = 6) rats, a catheter was advanced into the left ventricle to measure the rate of rise in ventricular pressure (+dP/dt) during standing as an estimate of cardiac contractility. After completion of their respective treatments, hearts were removed and weighed. Animals in the PF group were sacrificed 24 hr prior to launch while the FL group was sacrificed 11- 17 hr after landing. The SM and VIV groups were sacrificed 48 and 96 hr after the FL group, respectively. Heart mass was unchanged in adult animals exposed to 7 days of actual microgravity (PF 1.33 +/- .03 g; FL 1.32 +/- 0.02 g; SIM 1.28 +/- 0.04 g; VIV 1.35 +/- 0.04 g). Similarly, heart mass was unaltered with hin~limb unloading (CON 1.40 +/- 0.04 g; 7HU 1.35 +/- 0.06 g; 28HU 1.42 +/- 0.03 g). Hindlimb unloading also had no effect on myocardial contractility (CON 8055 +/- 385 mmHg/sec; 28HU 8545 +/- 755 mmHg/sec). These data suggest that cardiac atrophy does not occur following short-term exposure to microgravity, and that neither short- nor long-term simulated microgravity alter cardiac mass or function.

Ray, Chester H.↗

Fluid Redistribution and Heart Rate in Humans During Whole-Body Tilting, G(z) Centrifugation, and Lower Body Negative Pressure

Gravity creates blood pressure gradients which redistribute body fluids towards the feet. Positive G(z) centrifugation and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) have been proposed to simulate these and other effects of gravity during long-term existence in microgravity. We hypothesized that the magnitude of upper-to-lower body fluid redistribution would increase according to the following order: short-arm centrifugation (SAC), long-arm centrifugation (LAC), head-up tilt (HUT), and LBNP. To test this hypothesis, we employed strain gauge plethysmography of the neck, thigh and calf during HUT and supine SAC and LAC up to lG(z) at the feet, and during supine LBNP to 100 mm Hg. Supine 100 mm Hg LBNP generates footward force and produces transmural blood pressures in the foot approximately equal to 1 G(z) (90 deg) HUT. Heart rate was measured via cardiotachometry. Control measurements were made while supine. SAC and LAC elicited similar increases in thigh volume at 1 G(z) (2.3 +/- 0.4 and 2.1 +/- 0.1%, respectively; mean +/- se, n greater than or equal to 7). At 100 mm Hg LBNP, thigh volume increased (3.4 +/- 0.3%) significantly more than during l G(z) centrifugation (p less than 0.05). Surprisingly, due to a paradoxical 0.6% reduction of thigh volume between 0.8 and 1.0 G(z) HUT, thigh volume was increased only 0.6 +/- 0.3% at 1 G(z) HUT. The calf demonstrated similar, although less definitive, responses to the various gravitational stimuli. Neck volume tended to decrease less during HUT than during the other stimuli. Heart rate increased similarly during HUT (18 +/- 2 beats/min) and LAC (12 +/- 2 beats/min), and exhibited still greater elevation during LBNP (29 +/- 4 beats/min), yet did not increase during SAC. These results suggest upright posture activates mechanisms that counteract footward fluid redistribution which are not activated during supine applications of simulated gravity. LAC more closely approximated effects of normal gravity (HUT) than LBNP. Therefore, when considering LBNP to simulate gravity, these findings support efforts to reduce the cardiovascular stress imposed by LBNP, while preserving the gravity-like force generated by LBNP.

Watenpaugh, D. E.↗

Infrared Spectroscopy of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: The Members - 3

In spite of the fact that the infrared spectroscopic properties of only a few isolated ionized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known, gaseous, ionized PAHs are thought to be responsible for a very common family of infrared interstellar emission bands. In order to provide a data base to test this hypothesis and, if borne out, to use this emission band family as a probe of many different interstellar environments, we are carrying out a thorough study of the infrared spectroscopic properties of neutral and ionized PAHs in argon matrices. Here we present the near and mid-infrared spectra of the cations of the five most thermodynamically favored PAHs up to coronene: phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[ghilperylene, and coronene. The properties of naphthalene, the first member of the series, are given elsewhere. The spectra of perdeuterated phenanthrene and pyrene are also reported. For those molecules which have been previously studied (pyrene, d(10)-pyrene, and coronene), band positions and relative intensities are in agreement. In all cases we report additional features. Absolute integrated absorbance values are given for the phenanthrene, perdeutero-phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and coronene cations. With the exception of coronene,the cation bands corresponding to the CC modes are typically 2-5 times more intense than those of the CH out-of-plane bending vibrations. For the cations the CC stretching and CH in-plane bending modes give rise to bands which are an order of magnitude stronger than for the neutral species, and the CH out-of-plane bends produce bands which are 5-20 times weaker than in the neutral species. This behavior is similar to that found in most other PAH cations studied to date. The astronomical implications of these PAH cation spectra are also discussed.

Hudgins, D. M.↗

Experimental Results of Schlicher's Thrusting Antenna

Experiments were conducted to test the claims by Rex L. Schlicher, et al., (Patent 5,142,86 1) that a certain antenna geometry produces thrust greatly exceeding radiation reaction, when driven by repetitive, fast rise, and relatively slower decay current pulses. In order to test this hypothesis, the antenna was suspended by strings as a 3 in pendulum. Current pulses were fed to the antenna along the suspension path by a very flexible coaxial line constructed from loudspeaker cable and copper braid sheath. When driving the antenna via this cabling, our pulser was capable of sustaining 1200 A pulses at a rate of 30 per second up to a minute. In this way, bursts of pulses could be delivered in synch with the pendulum period in order to build up any motion. However, when using a laser beam passing through a lens attached to the antenna to amplify linear displacement by a factor of at least 25, no correlated motion of the beam spot could be detected on a distant wall. We conclude, in agreement with the momentum theorem of classical electromagnetic theory, that any thrust produced is far below practically useful levels. Hence, within classical electrodynamics, there is little hope of detecting any low level motion that cannot be explained by interactions with surrounding structural steel and the Earth's magnetic field.

Fralick, Gustave C.↗

Speed Discrimination: Multiple Stimuli Appear Better Than One

We reported that for a 21FC task with multiple moving grating patches (Gabors) in each interval, thresholds for speed discrimination decreased with the number of patches, while increasing the area of a single grating produced no such effect. Furthermore, this decrease occurred regardless of the spacing of the patches about a circle of eccentricity 4 degrees, i.e., whether they were maximally separated or almost touching. These results suggest that it is the multiple, discrete grating patches that cause thresholds to decrease, rather than the spatial arrangement. To test this hypothesis, we measured the effect of dividing a large grating into four quadrants, by superimposing a mean-luminance cross on it. The mean speed discrimination thresholds (Weber Fractions) for four observers were 19, 15, and 11 plus or minus 2%, for the single large grating, the grating with cross, and the 4 maximally-separated, small gratings, respectively. Thus, breaking up a single large grating into multiple parts caused thresholds to improve, despite the fact that less of the original patch was visible. To investigate the possible contribution of total bounding contour length, we measured the effect of coalescing three small grating patches into a single banana-shaped patch, while keeping the total contour length constant. These two conditions were compared to a single, circular Gabor patch of equivalent area that had (necessarily) a smaller contour length. Preliminary data from 3 of 4 observers were similar for the small-grating and banana configurations, but increased for the single, large grating, suggesting that contour length might play a role. We are also investigating the role of low-level factors pertinent to the large grating, such as the pooling of signals from motion units at different eccentricities, and the stimulation of extended inhibitory motion surrounds, as well as the possible contribution of topdown influences that segment the stimulus into distinct objects.

Verghese, Preeti↗