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At least 73 records · Page 4

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DOE OSTI2025

Building a predictive model for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon dosimetry in organotypically cultured human bronchial epithelial cells using benzo[ a ]pyrene

The airway epithelium is a primary route of exposure for inhaled toxicants, and organotypic culture models represent an important advancement for toxicity testing compared to simple in vitro models that may lack metabolic capability and multicellular structure/communication associated with the bronchial epithelium in vivo. A quantitative understanding of chemical dosimetry is key for interpreting and extrapolating study results; however, dosimetry is understudied in organotypic models limiting ability to predict toxicity. We developed a dosimetry model for primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI) using benzo[a]pyrene (BAP), a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Dose and time course evaluation of metabolite formation and enzyme activity and expression were utilized to parameterize a cellular dosimetry model to improve the utility of ALI-HBECs for assessing chemical risk. Dosimetry analysis demonstrated absorption of BAP into cells and an increase in Phase 1 and 2 metabolites over time that correlated with regulation of metabolizing enzymes. BAP was cleared from cells by 48 h after exposure, and the primary metabolites generated in ALI-HBECs were BAP-3-phenol, BAP-4,5-dihydrodiol, BAP-7,8-dihydrodiol, BAP-9,10-dihydrodiol, BAP-7,8,9,10-tetrol, BAP-3-phenol-glucuronide, BAP-4,5-dihydrodiol-glucuronide, and BAP-9,10-dihydrodiol-glucuronide. The resulting dosimetry model described BAP and 7,8-dihydrodiol toxicokinetics in ALI-HBECs and suggested active excretion of 7,8-dihydrodiol. Overall, this study demonstrates metabolic competency of ALI-HBECs for BAP metabolism, demonstrates the usefulness of complex in vitro systems for human-relevant toxicity data, and exhibits how in silico models can be utilized for understanding the dosimetry of test compounds to aid in in vitro to human extrapolation of toxicity data for risk assessments.

Benzo[a]pyrene↗

DOE OSTI2025

Host cell and viral protease targets of human SERPINs identified by in silico docking

Serine protease inhibitors (SERPINs) are involved in various physiological processes and diseases, such as inflammation, cancer metastasis, and neurodegeneration. Their role in viral infections is poorly understood, as their expression patterns during infection and the range of proteases they target have yet to be fully characterized. Here, we show widespread expression of human SERPINs in response to respiratory virus infections, both in bronchioalveolar lavages from COVID-19 patients and in polarized human airway epithelial cultures. Using in silico docking of 10 SERPINs to 48 host proteases, we confirm known targets and predict new interactions. Protease activity assays validated selected interactions, confirming the newly predicted host targets for PAI-1 (SERPINE1) and PAI-2 (SERPINB2). PAI-1 inhibits cathepsin L, essential for SARS-CoV-2 maturation, and suppresses multi-cycle replication of both ancestral SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 and its variant Omicron BA.1. In addition, we identify PAI-2 as an antiviral SERPIN that reduces infectivity of human adenovirus 5 by directly inhibiting the adenoviral protease. Our study leverages in silico docking using full-length 3D protein structures to uncover new SERPIN targets, offering a range of candidate targets for therapeutic interventions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

Statistical Uncertainty of Inhalation Dose Coefficients: Impact of Particle Deposition in ICRP 66 Human Respiratory Tract Model

Inhaled radioactive materials can pose a long-term health concern, as the material can be incorporated into the body’s metabolic pathways and remain in organs and tissues for extended durations. During the retention period, the radioactive material may localize in a source organ and irradiate adjacent target organs and tissues. Distribution of these materials changes over time, requiring biokinetic modeling to evaluate their movement through various tissues and organs. The evolving distribution depends on multiple inputs characterizing the inhaled material, such as particle size and size distribution, particle density, aspect ratio, specific radionuclide, the chemical form, and solubility. In addition, biological parameters such as breathing rate, breathing type (nasal or nasal/oral), respiratory system morphometry, tidal volume, functional residual capacity, and anatomical dead space all influence material transport. These aerosol properties and physiological characteristics of the respiratory tract jointly define a range of initial conditions that influence the time-dependent distribution of radioactive material. To evaluate both uncertainty in the initial conditions of inhalation exposure and the final output (committed effective dose) from biokinetic models, a Python-based software tool, Radiological Exposure Dose Calculator (REDCAL), was developed to propagate uncertainty within the human respiratory tract model. Focusing on deposition fraction uncertainty, the primary objective was to characterize the initial activity distribution across respiratory regions as a function of anticipated particle sizes and distributions. The impact of the deposition fraction uncertainty was propagated to committed effective dose coefficients for selected radionuclides in a companion publication. For each particle size, a lognormal distribution, characterized by its geometric mean as defined within ICRP Publication 66, serves as the basis for introducing uncertainty into the physical processes governing deposition in various lung regions. Finally, this study addresses the deposition process and examines how uncertainty in deposition mechanisms affects activity distribution in the airways, ultimately presenting the expected range and standard deviation of deposited activity as a function of particle size.

International Commission on Radiological Protectio↗

DOE OSTI2026

Statistical Uncertainty of Inhalation Dose Coefficients in Consequence Management: Propagated Dose Uncertainty in ICRP 66 Human Respiratory Tract Model

Reference inhalation dose models rely on deterministic biokinetics and reference computational phantoms, limiting their applicability to the variability present in population-specific exposures encountered in emergency response scenarios. Here, this study introduces REDCAL, a Python-based computational framework developed to propagate uncertainty in inhalation dose coefficients using the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 66 Human Respiratory Tract Model. REDCAL integrates ICRP deposition and clearance models, systemic biokinetics, and governing physics principles, and leverages Sandia National Laboratories’ Dakota toolkit for uncertainty quantification via Latin Hypercube Sampling. REDCAL was validated against DCAL, with biokinetic retention results differing by less than 1% and effective dose coefficients by less than 2% across all tested radionuclides. Stochastic sampling introduced variability in dose coefficients, with geometric standard deviations (GSD) in committed effective dose coefficients (CEDC) ranging from 1.0 to 1.5, based on lognormal distribution fits. Analysis demonstrated that variations in the activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD) notably influenced the computed CEDC values. Smaller particles (<1 µm) increased doses by 20–30% due to deeper lung deposition and prolonged retention for alpha emitting radionuclides, such as 241 Am and 239 Pu. Radionuclides with fast clearance, such as 133 I, demonstrated a dose reduction exceeding 50%, as AMAD increased beyond 5 µm due to upper airway deposition and rapid mucociliary clearance. The greatest GSD among the radionuclides reported in this study was for 241 Am. In most cases, the largest GSDs in the CEDC were associated with larger particle sizes, an expected outcome, as ICRP Publication 66 defines GSD in particle size as a function of AMAD, resulting in an extended tail of the lognormal distribution. The findings support improved inhalation dose assessments and enhance consequence management strategies for the U.S. Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center by quantifying uncertainty in dose coefficients and strengthening decision-making for emergency response scenarios.

Biokinetic Modeling↗

DOE OSTI2024

Applying a polysaccharide lyase from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to disrupt alginate exopolysaccharide produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered one of the most challenging, drug-resistant, opportunistic pathogens partly due to its ability to synthesize robust biofilms. Biofilm is a mixture of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that encapsulates microbial cells, leading to immune evasion, antibiotic resistance, and thus higher risk of infection. In the cystic fibrosis lung environment, P. aeruginosa undergoes a mucoid transition, defined by overproduction of the exopolysaccharide alginate. Alginate encapsulation results in bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the host immune system. Given its role in airway inflammation and chronic infection, alginate is an obvious target to improve treatment for P. aeruginosa infection. Previously, we demonstrated polysaccharide lyase Smlt1473 from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain k279a can catalyze the degradation of multiple polyuronides in vitro, including D-mannuronic acid (poly-ManA). Poly-ManA is a major constituent of P. aeruginosa alginate, suggesting that Smlt1473 could have potential application against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and perhaps other microbes with related biofilm composition. In this study, we demonstrate that Smlt1473 can inhibit and degrade alginate from P. aeruginosa. Additionally, we show that tested P. aeruginosa strains are dominant in acetylated alginate and that all but one have similar M-to-G ratios. These results indicate that variation in enzyme efficacy among the isolates is not primarily due to differences in total EPS or alginate chemical composition. Overall, these results demonstrate Smlt1473 can inhibit and degrade P. aeruginosa alginate and suggest that other factors including rate of EPS production, alginate sequence/chain length, or non-EPS components may explain differences in enzyme efficacy.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

In vitro toxicity assessment of uranium particulates on different human lung epithelial cell models

Inhalation of uranium aerosols produced via human activities such as mining can pose a threat to human respiratory systems. Uranium oxide particulates emit short-range alpha particles that elicit DNA and direct damage, beyond associated physiochemical heavy-metal toxicity, to internal epithelial tissues. The availability of reliable in vitro models to study radiation exposure can greatly enhance our ability to understand and combat the biological impacts of exposure. However, the toxicological effects of alpha emissions and/or the oxidation states of uranium particulates vary across different human lung epithelial cell models and have not been systematically compared. We have endeavored to address this limitation by comparing impacts in three different human lung cell models: primary human bronchial and tracheal epithelial cells, primary human small airway epithelial cells, and human adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial cells. Other studies have mainly investigated the toxicity of depleted uranium. Here, we compared the exposure of uranium oxide particulates (U 3 O 8 and UO 3 ) of different enrichment states on the chosen cell systems. Each cell model was exposed to 0.1, 1, 10, 50, 100, and 500 µg/mL of depleted U 3 O 8 , highly-enriched U 3 O 8 , and natural UO 3 particulates for 24 hours in submerged monolayer cultures. We compared viability and superoxide dismutase activity results across cell lines and uranium enrichment/ oxidative states. The results showed that 1) the oxide state of the particulates affected cell viability, implying that uranium’s different oxidation states contribute to different toxicological responses, and 2) each cell model reacts differently when exposed to uranium oxides, which may provide insights into the mechanistic processes associated with the exposure of radiological particulates on different biological systems. For instance, increased uranium enrichment corresponds to increased toxicity for the primary cells, but not for the immortalized cells. Our study shows that a holistic approach that incorporates similarities between model systems and types of radionuclides is required to truly develop empirical solutions for radiation exposure.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

De novo synthesis and near atomic resolution imaging of host immune receptors critical for pathogen recognition (Abbreviated Final Report)

The innate immune system serves as the body’s first line of defense against invading pathogens, responding rapidly through the deployment of immune cells at common sites of infection, such as the skin and airways. These immune-cell sentinels express a range of highly conserved receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which recognize and bind to pathogen-derived components. This recognition event triggers intracellular signaling cascades that initiate and coordinate immune responses. Despite their significance, the complete structural characterization of full-length TLRs, including their extracellular domain (ECD), transmembrane domain (TMD), and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain, remains incomplete. In this study, we examined the expression and isolation of human TLR4 incorporated into nanodiscs using two approaches: a cell-free synthesis system and a cell-based transfection strategy employing Expi293F cells derived from the human embryonic kidney lineage. Our findings demonstrate that NLP-bound human TLR4 produced via the cell-based method yielded functional protein suitable for time-resolved single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This advancement enables structural characterization of full-length TLR4, maintaining the integrity of its extracellular domain, transmembrane domain, and Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Human Host Cellular Response to HCoV-229E Infection Transcriptomics (ACS-DP1)

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Human Host Cellular Response to HCoV-229E Infection Proteomics (ACS-JM-DP2)

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the human host cellular response to wild-type Human coronavirus strain 229E (HCoV-229E) infection. Sample data was obtained for mock and infected immortalized human lung epithelial cells (A549) (MOI 5) nuclear extracts, immortalized human lung fibroblasts cells (MRC5) (MOI5) nuclear extracts, and primary human airway epithelial (HAE) (MOI 3) cells from lung tissue and processed for proteome analysis. Processed datasets are openly accessible from the download button and contain secondary processed proteomic results files and supporting metadata materials. Experimental proteomics samples were prepared using Limited Proteolysis (LiP) methods for Label-free quantification (LFQ) and global proteomic evaluation. Sample data was acquired using a Q-Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer and was processed and compiled using MaxQuant software (v.1.6.17.0). Processed proteomic data downloads include a sample naming key, processed MaxQuant results/parameters, and protein annotated relative abundance files. See corresponding primary data accessions below and Viral Experiment LiP Analysis source code supporting data transparency and reuse. Experimental transcriptomics samples were collected in parallel and processed for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) as summarized under ACS-DP1 (https://data.pnnl.gov/group/nodes/dataset/34069).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Hardware-in-Loop Modules for Testing Automated Ventilator Controllers

Automated ventilator controllers have the potential to simplify oxygen and carbon dioxide management for trauma. In the pre-hospital or military medicine environment, trauma care can be required for prolonged periods by personnel with limited ventilator management training. As such, there is a need for closed-loop control systems that can adapt ventilator management to a complex, ever-changing medical environment. Here, we present a novel hardware-in-loop test platform for the independent troubleshooting and evaluation of oxygen and carbon dioxide automated ventilator management capabilities. The oxygen management system provides an analogue blood oxygen signal that is responsive to the fraction of inspired oxygen and the peak inspiratory pressure ventilator settings. A tested oxygenation controller successfully reached the target oxygen saturation within 5 min. The carbon dioxide removal system integrates with commercial ventilator technology and mimics carbon dioxide generation, lung compliance, and airway resistance while providing an end-tidal carbon dioxide level that is responsive to changes in the tidal volume and respiratory rate settings. A test mechanical ventilator controller was able to regulate EtCO2 regardless of the starting value within 10 min. This highlights the system’s functionality and provides proof-of-concept demonstrations for how the hardware-in-loop test platforms can be used for evaluating closed-loop controller technologies.

Berard, David (ORCID:0000000322863846)↗

NASA NTRS1971

NASA Aircraft Safety and Operating Problems, Volume 1

The proceedings of the Conference on NASA Aircraft Safety and Operating Problems held at Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, on May 4-6, 1971, are reported in this NASA Special Publication. The purpose of this conference was to discuss the results of research of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the field of aircraft safety and operating problems. The unclassified program components include the following: Flight Safety Airway and Runway Environment Operational Experience With Subsonic Cruise Aircraft Cockpit Environment Terminal Area Operations Flight Environment Induced Environmental Effects Contributions to this compilation were made by representatives from Ames, Flight, Langley, and Lewis Research Centers, Manned Spacecraft Center, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, the University of Virginia, the Research Triangle Institute, and the Federal Aviation Administration .

Aircraft Safety Office↗

NASA NTRS1972

Study of the application of advanced technologies to long range transport aircraft. Volume 2: Advanced technology program recommendations

The benefits of the application of advanced technology to future transport aircraft were investigated. The noise reduction goals established by the CARD (Civil Aviation Research and Development) study for the 1981-1985 time period can be satisfied. Reduced terminal area and airway congestion can result from use of advanced on-board systems and operating procedures. The use of advanced structural design concepts can result in greatly reduced gross weight and improved operating economics. The full potential of these benefits can be realized in a 1985 airplane by implementing a research and development program that is funded to an average level of approximately $55 million per year over a ten year period.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1971

Operating systems in the air transportation environment.

Consideration of the problems facing air transport at present, and to be expected in the future. In the Northeast Corridor these problems involve community acceptance, airway and airport congestion and delays, passenger acceptance, noise reduction, and improvements in low-density short-haul economics. In the development of a superior short-haul operating system, terminal-configured vs cruise-configured vehicles are evaluated. CTOL, STOL, and VTOL aircraft of various types are discussed. In the field of noise abatement, it is shown that flight procedural techniques are capable of supplementing ?quiet engine' technology.

Cherry, G. W.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Liquid breathing - Prevention of pulmonary arterial-venous shunting during acceleration.

Dependent pulmonary atelectasis, arterial-venous shunting, and downward displacement of the heart caused by the gravitational-inertial force environment were prevented in dogs breathing oxygenated liquid fluorocarbon in a whole-body water-immersion respirator. Partial closure of the major airways during part of the expiratory phase of liquid respiration was a significant problem initially but was minimized in subsequent studies.

Sass, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1972

The Role of the Manufacturer in Air Transportation Planning

The role of the aircraft manufacturer in the airline industry is considered. The process is illustrated by using a fictitious airline as an example--that is, a case study approach with Mid-Coast Airways serving as the example. Both in slide form and with supporting papers, a brief history of the airline, a description of its route structure and a forecast based on econometric analysis are presented. Once the forecast rationale is explained, information outlines the requirements for additional aircraft and the application of new aircraft across the system using alternative fleet plan options. The fleet plan is translated into financial summaries which indicate the relative merit of alternative aircraft types or operating plans.

Mackenzie, J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP) data report for tape VL0003

Atmospheric ozone, and related flight and meteorological data for May 1975, obtained during 49 flights of a Pan American World Airways 747, are available as GASP tape VL0003 from the National Climatic Center, Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to the GASP data, tropopause pressure fields obtained from NMC archives for the dates of the GASP flights are included on the data tape. Flight routes and dates, instrumentation, data processing procedures, and data tape specifications are described.

Holdeman, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1976

NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP) data report for tape VL0004

The NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP) is obtaining measurements of atmospheric trace constituents in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere using fully automated air sampling systems on board several commercial B-747 aircraft in routine airline service. Atmospheric ozone, water vapor, and related flight and meteorological data were obtained during 139 flights of a United Airlines B-747 and a Pan American World Airways B-747 from December 1975 through March 1976. In addition, sample bottles were exposed during three flights and analyzed for trichlorofluoromethane, and filter samples were exposed during five flights and analyzed for sulfates, nitrates, and chlorides. Flight routes and dates, instrumentation, data processing procedures, data tape specifications, and selected analyses are discussed.

Holdeman, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1977

NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP) data report for tape VL0005

Atmospheric ozone, water vapor, and related flight and meteorological data were obtained during 214 flights of a United Airlines B-747 and two Pan American World Airways B-747's from March through June 1976. In addition, trichlorofluoromethane data obtained from laboratory analysis of two whole air samples collected in flight are reported. These data are available on GASP tape VL0005 from the National Climatic Center, Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to the GASP data, tropopause pressure fields obtained from NMC archives for the dates of the GASP flights are included on the data tape. Flight routes and dates, instrumentation, data processing procedures, and data tape specifications are described in this report. Selected analyses including ozone and sample bottle data are also presented.

Holdeman, J. D.↗