Radiation cataract in Heterogeneous Stock mice after γ-ray or HZE ion exposure.

Health effects of space radiation are a serious concern for astronauts on long-duration missions. The lens of the eye is one of the most radiosensitive tissues in the body and, therefore, ocular health risks for astronauts is a significant concern. Studies in humans and animals indicate that ionizing radiation exposure to the eye produces characteristic lens changes, termed "radiation cataract," that can affect visual function.

Reversing radiation-induced immunosuppression using a new therapeutic modality.

Radiation-induced immune suppression poses significant health challenges for millions of patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, and astronauts and space tourists travelling to outer space. While a limited number of recombinant protein therapies, such a Sargramostim, are approved for accelerating hematologic recovery, the pronounced role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF or CSF2) as a proinflammatory cytokine poses additional challenges in creating immune dysfunction towards pathogenic autoimmune diseases. Here we present an approach to high-throughput drug-discovery, target validation, and lead molecule identification using nucleic acid-based molecules.

Orthologs of human circulating miRNAs associated with hepatocellular carcinoma are elevated in mouse plasma months before tumour detection.

Research examining the potential for circulating miRNA to serve as markers for preneoplastic lesions or early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is hindered by the difficulties of obtaining samples from asymptomatic individuals. As a surrogate for human samples, we identified hub miRNAs in gene co-expression networks using HCC-bearing C3H mice. We confirmed 38 hub miRNAs as associated with HCC in F2 hybrid mice derived from radiogenic HCC susceptible and resistant founders.

Associations between lipids in selected brain regions, plasma miRNA, and behavioral and cognitive measures following Si ion irradiation.

The space radiation environment consists of multiple species of charged particles, including Si ions, that may impact brain function during and following missions. To develop biomarkers of the space radiation response, BALB/c and C3H female and male mice and their F2 hybrid progeny were irradiated with Si ions (350 MeV/n, 0.2 Gy) and tested for behavioral and cognitive performance 1, 6, and 12 months following irradiation.

Effects of Acute and Chronic Exposure to a Mixed Field of Neutrons and Photons and Single or Fractionated Simulated Galactic Cosmic Ray Exposure on Behavioral and Cognitive Performance in Mice.

During space missions, astronauts experience acute and chronic low-dose-rate radiation exposures. Given the clear gap of knowledge regarding such exposures, we assessed the effects acute and chronic exposure to a mixed field of neutrons and photons and single or fractionated simulated galactic cosmic ray exposure (GCRsim) on behavioral and cognitive performance in mice. In addition, we assessed the effects of an aspirin-containing diet in the presence and absence of chronic exposure to a mixed field of neutrons and photons.