Microgravity and Human Body: Unraveling the Potential Role of Heat-Shock Proteins in Spaceflight and Future Space Missions.

In recent years, the increasing number of long-duration space missions has prompted the scientific community to undertake a more comprehensive examination of the impact of microgravity on the human body during spaceflight. This review aims to assess the current knowledge regarding the consequences of exposure to an extreme environment, like microgravity, on the human body, focusing on the role of heat-shock proteins (HSPs). Previous studies have demonstrated that long-term exposure to microgravity during spaceflight can cause various changes in the human body, such as muscle atrophy, changes in muscle fiber composition, cardiovascular function, bone density, and even immune system functions.

A novel approach to investigate severe asthma and COPD: the 3d ex vivo respiratory mucosa model.

This article illustrates the replication of asthma and COPD conditions in a laboratory setting and the potential applications of this methodology. Biologic drugs have been shown to enhance the treatment of severe asthma and COPD. Monoclonal antibodies against specific targets have dramatically changed the management of these conditions.

Investigating the Possible Reasons for the Low Reported Morbidity and Mortality of COVID-19 in African Countries: An Integrative Review.

Background: COVID-19 has impacted the world differentially with the highest mortality and morbidity rate burden in Europe and the USA and the lowest mortality and morbidity burden in Africa. This study aims to investigate the possible reasons why Africa recorded the lowest COVID-19 mortality and morbidity.

Methods: The following search terms were used PubMed database: ["mortalit*" (tw) OR "morbidit*" (tw) AND "COVID-19" (tw) AND "Africa" (tw)].

A dynamic air-liquid interface system for in vitro mimicking of the nasal mucosa.

The development of an in vitro 3D model for the growth of the nasal mucosa cells can improve the therapy and the study of pathological states for subjects with chronic airway conditions. We have previously characterized a system consisting of a scaffold with an internal channel and a perfusion bioreactor with two independent flows provided by an external and an internal circuit, respectively. In this paper, this system was designed as a model of the nasal cavity, in which cells, grown on the inner surface of the scaffold channel, would be in contact at the same time with both culture medium, supplied by the external circuit, and air, provided with the internal flow.

Somite chondrogenesis in vitro: 2. Changes in the hyaluronic acid synthesis.

The role of hyaluronic acid in limb morphogenesis (chondrogenesis) has been well defined. In the present study, we found that hyaluronic acid synthesis in somite explants steadily increased until day 6, then decreased, and inclusion of notochord did not accelerate the rate of synthesis. Analysis of hyaluronidase activity in the somite explants indicated an increase in the enzyme level in day-6 cultures.