Kayser (Italy)

In this work, the first experimental tests related to key parameters useful for monitoring astronauts' wound healing are presented. This study is part of a larger research project, WEAR-ME!, funded by the Italian Space Agency, which aims to develop an integrated, miniaturized, and wearable sensorized patch for the non-invasive analysis of a panel of biomarkers useful for assessing astronauts' health status. In particular, the system is designed for monitoring wound healing, a critical aspect of healthcare during space missions. Indeed, ensuring proper wound healing is of utmost importance in such missions, where altered physiological conditions, such as microgravity and prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation, may significantly affect the body's natural recovery processes, potentially leading to delayed healing or increased susceptibility to infections. The WEAR-ME! system integrates advanced chemical and physical sensors, electrical connections, sensor interrogation electronics, into a single, compact and wearable device. This system is designed to continuously monitor multiple physiologically-relevant parameters without requiring manual intervention during astronaut activities. The study specifically focuses on defining the interface and front-end electronics, which are designed to be comfortable, lightweight, flexible, durable, and biocompatible. Additionally, it presents the first experimental tests conducted on the moisture sensor, which have shown promising and encouraging results, paving the way for further advancements in the field.

Mechanisms of sleep disorders in fibromyalgia (FM) patients, such as insomnia, early morning awakenings and poor quality sleep, have not yet been proven and no consistent and effective treatment is yet available. The aim of this study was to investigate the pineal gland volume and the relationship between total fibre count, total fibre volume and total fibre length of the spinoreticular tract involved in regulation of sleep and wakefulness in terms of the mechanism of sleep disturbance. This study included only female cases, 31 with fibromyalgia and 31 controls. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. Tractography of targeted pathway from brain diffusion MR images was calculated in Diffusion Studio Imaging (DSI) Studio programme and the volume of the pineal gland was calculated in ITK-SNAP programme. The mean volume of the pineal gland was higher in control group (218.84 ± 64.45 mm3) than in fibromyalgia group (174.77 ± 48.65 mm3), which was statistically significant (p = 0.004). However, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups in total spinoreticular tract (TSRT), total volume (TSRTV), TSRT fractional anisotropy, TSRT mean diffusion, TSRT axial diffusion and TSRT radial diffusion of spinoreticular tract, which is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness (p > 0.05). In conclusion, it is thought that the endocrine system may be more related to sleep disturbance in individuals with FM than central nervous system. Therefore, we believe that it may be more appropriate to work on the endocrine system rather than neural system in the treatment of sleep disturbance in patients with FM.

Microgravity (µG) experienced during space flights promotes adaptation in several astronauts’ organs and tissues, with skeletal muscles being the most affected. In response to reduced gravitational loading, muscles (especially, lower limb and antigravity muscles) undergo progressive mass loss and alteration in metabolism, myofiber size, and composition. Skeletal muscle precursor cells (MPCs), also known as satellite cells, are responsible for the growth and maintenance of muscle mass in adult life as well as for muscle regeneration following damage and may have a major role in µG-induced muscle wasting. Despite the great relevance for astronaut health, very few data are available about the effects of real µG on human muscles. Based on the MyoGravity project, this study aimed to analyze: (i) the cellular and transcriptional alterations induced by real µG in human MPCs (huMPCs) and (ii) the response of human skeletal muscle to normal gravitational loading after prolonged exposure to µG. We evaluated the transcriptomic changes induced by µG on board the International Space Station (ISS) in differentiating huMPCs isolated from Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies of a pre-flight astronaut and an age- and sex-matched volunteer, in comparison with the same cells cultured on the ground in standard gravity (1×g) conditions. We found that huMPCs differentiated under real µG conditions showed: (i) upregulation of genes related to cell adhesion, plasma membrane components, and ion transport; (ii) strong downregulation of genes related to the muscle contraction machinery and sarcomere organization; and (iii) downregulation of muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs). Moreover, we had the unique opportunity to analyze huMPCs and skeletal muscle tissue of the same astronaut before and 30 h after a long-duration space flight on board the ISS. Prolonged exposure to real µG strongly affected the biology and functionality of the astronaut’s satellite cells, which showed a dramatic reduction of responsiveness to activating stimuli and proliferation rate, morphological changes, and almost inability to fuse into myotubes. RNA-Seq analysis of post- vs. pre-flight muscle tissue showed that genes involved in muscle structure and remodeling are promptly activated after landing following a long-duration space mission. Conversely, genes involved in the myelination process or synapse and neuromuscular junction organization appeared downregulated. Although we have investigated only one astronaut, these results point to a prompt readaptation of the skeletal muscle mechanical components to the normal gravitational loading, but the inability to rapidly recover the physiological muscle myelination/innervation pattern after landing from a long-duration space flight. Together with the persistent functional deficit observed in the astronaut’s satellite cells after prolonged exposure to real µG, these results lead us to hypothesize that a condition of inefficient regeneration is likely to occur in the muscles of post-flight astronauts following damage.

ARIEL (Atmospheric Remote-sensing InfraRed Large-survey) is the fourth medium-class mission (M4) of the European Space Agency, part of the Cosmic Vision program, whose launch is planned by late 2029. ARIEL aims to study the composition of exoplanet atmospheres, their formation and evolution. The ARIEL’s target will be a sample of about 1000 planets observed with one or more of the following methods: transit, eclipse and phase-curve spectroscopy, in both visible and infrared light. The scientific payload is composed by a reflective telescope having a 1m-class elliptical primary mirror, built in solid Aluminum, and two focal-plane instruments: FGS and AIRS. FGS (Fine Guidance System)3 has the double purpose of performing photometry (0.50-0.55 µm) and low resolution spectrometry over three bands (from 0.8 to 1.95 µm) and, simultaneously, to provide data to the spacecraft AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System). AIRS (ARIEL InfraRed Spectrometer) instrument will perform IR spectrometry in two wavelength ranges: between 1.95 and 3.9 µm (with a spectral resolution R > 100) and between 3.9 and 7.8 µm with a spectral resolution R > 30. This paper provides the status of the ICU (Instrument Control Unit), an electronic box whose purpose is to command and supply power to the AIRS warm front-end (as well as acquire science data from its two channels) and to command and control the TCU (Telescope Control Unit).

Pyruvate kinase (PK) is a key enzyme of anaerobic glycolysis. The genetic heterogeneity of PK deficiency (PKD) is high, and over 400 unique variants have been identified. Twenty-nine patients who had been diagnosed as PKD genetically in seven distinct paediatric haematology departments were evaluated. Fifteen of 23 patients (65.2%) had low PK levels. The PK:hexokinase ratio had 100% sensitivity for PKD diagnosis, superior to PK enzyme assay. Two novel intronic variants (c.695-1G>A and c.694+43C>T) have been described. PKD should be suspected in patients with chronic non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia, even if enzyme levels are falsely normal. Total PKLR gene sequencing is necessary for the characterization of patients with PKD and for genetic counselling.

Amyloidosis is a systemic disorder characterized by the extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils in various tissues, with the potential for cardiac involvement.Cardiac amyloidosis, a relatively uncommon and frequently underdiagnosed etiology of heart failure, can manifest due to the infiltration of several amyloid types into the myocardium.The definitive diagnosis typically involves an endomyocardial biopsy.Utilizing scintigraphic imaging with Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) labeled bisphosphonates can aid in the early identification of cardiac involvement and differentiate between different forms of cardiac amyloidosis.This guideline aims to support nuclear medicine practitioners in advising, performing imaging procedures, documenting findings, and interpreting results from scintigraphy involving Tc-99mlabeled bone radiopharmaceuticals for the assessment of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.

Nükleer kardiyoloji, kalp hastalıklarının teşhisi, takibi ve tedavisi için öncü bir teknolojidir.Ancak, bu alandaki veri karmaşıklığı ve hasta görüntülerinin yorumlanması zorlukları, yapay zekanın (YZ) müdahil olmasını gerektiren birçok fırsatı ortaya çıkarmıştır.YZ

Introduction: Long-term space missions trigger a prolonged neuroendocrine stress response leading to immune system dysregulation evidenced by susceptibility to infections, viral reactivation, and skin irritations. However, due to existing technical constraints, real-time functional immune assessments are not currently available to crew inflight. The in vitro cytokine release assay (CRA) has been effectively employed to study the stimulated cytokine response of immune cells in whole blood albeit limited to pre- and post-flight sessions. A novel two-valve reaction tube (RT) has been developed to enable the execution of the CRA on the International Space Station (ISS). Methods: In a comprehensive test campaign, we assessed the suitability of three materials (silicone, C-Flex, and PVC) for the RT design in terms of biochemical compatibility, chemical stability, and final data quality analysis. Furthermore, we thoroughly examined additional quality criteria such as safety, handling, and the frozen storage of antigens within the RTs. The validation of the proposed crew procedure was conducted during a parabolic flight campaign. Results: The selected material and procedure proved to be both feasible and secure yielding consistent and dependable data outcomes. This new hardware allows for the stimulation of blood samples on board the ISS, with subsequent analysis still conducted on the ground. Discussion: The resultant data promises to offer a more accurate understanding of the stress-induced neuroendocrine modulation of immunity during space travel providing valuable insights for the scientific community. Furthermore, the versatile nature of the RT suggests its potential utility as a testing platform for various other assays or sample types.

Abstract Benzodiazepines are one of the most prescribed for therapeutic purposes and the most abused drugs. Therefore, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry–based methods that analyze several benzodiazepines simultaneously are required. In this study, we developed a simple, full validated in‐house method in a single‐triple quadrupole platform SCIEX QTRAP 4500 system for the simultaneous detection and quantification of the 10 most prescribed benzodiazepines within a 10‐min run time. The linear range was 12.5–500 ng/mL. All limits of detection were below 4.03 ng/mL and limits of quantitation below 12.22 ng/mL, except clobazam (7.27 and 22.04 ng/mL, respectively). Both the limit of detection and quantitation were lowest for diazepam (0.95 and 2.89 ng/mL, respectively). The method was evaluated for accuracy, precision, carry‐over, recovery, stability, and matrix effects, and all validation studies met internationally acceptable criteria. The applicability of the method was proven by analyzing authentic urine samples, internal, and third‐party external quality samples. This precise, accurate, shorter total run time and ease of urine sample analysis method is applicable in detecting most prescribed benzodiazepines and their metabolites even in glucuronide forms.

Teknolojik gelişmeler tüketicilerde yeni talepler oluşturmuş ve bu durum işletmeleri ve ülkeleri yoğun bir rekabet ortamı içerisine sürüklemiştir. Bu zor rekabet ortamında işletmelerin varlıklarını devam ettirmeleri teknolojik seviyelerini sürekli geliştirmeleri ile mümkün olabilmektedir. Teknolojik ilerleme kaydedebilmenin yolu teknolojik bilgi birikimi sahibi olmaktan geçmektedir. Bilgi birikimini gerçekleştirebilmek için ise ar-ge ve inovasyon konularında çalışmalar yapmak bir tercih olmaktan ziyade zorunluluk haline gelmiştir. Bu sebeple ülkeler de çeşitli kamu kuruluşları vasıtasıyla özel sektör işletmelerine ar-ge ve inovasyon çalışmalarında çeşitli destek fonları sağlamaktadır. Ülkemizde ise KOSGEB; ar-ge, inovasyon alanında işletmelerin teknolojik düzeylerinin geliştirilmesi için destekleme görevini üstlenmektedir. Verilen ar-ge inovasyon desteklerinin teknolojik ilerlemeye katkısının değerlendirilmesi etki analizleri ile mümkün olmaktadır. KOSGEB ve hedef kitlesi açısından da destek programlarının etki değerlendirmesi yapılarak gerekli önlemlerin alınması gerekmektedir. Bu nedenle bu çalışmada imalat alanında faaliyet gösteren işletmelerin Ar-Ge İnovasyon Destek Programı kapsamında kullandıkları personel gideri desteği ile makine-teçhizat desteklerinin net satış, ihracat ve çalışan sayıları üzerindeki etkisinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturan Kayseri ilindeki 61 işletmeden toplanan verilerle etki değerlendirmesi yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları makine-teçhizat desteğinin net satış, ihracat ve çalışan sayısı üzerinde anlamlı etkisinin olduğunu göstermiştir. Personel gideri desteğinin ise net satışlar, ihracat ve çalışan gün sayısı üzerinde anlamlı etkisi olmadığını ortaya çıkarmıştır.