Tricyclic hydrocarbon fluorene attenuates ventricular ionic currents and pressure development in the navaga cod.

The release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment due to oil and diesel fuel spills is a serious threat to Arctic fish populations. PAHs produce multiple toxic effects in fish, but disturbance of electrical and contractile activity of the heart seems to be the most negative effect. Our study focused on the effects of fluorene, a tricyclic PAH resembling the well-investigated tricyclic phenanthrene, on major ionic currents and action potential (AP) waveform in isolated ventricular myocytes and on contractile activity in isolated whole hearts of polar navaga cod (Eleginus nawaga).

A Cohort Mortality Study Among Soviet and Russian Cosmonauts, 1961-2014.

Introduction: Over 500 people from different countries have been to space since the first manned spaceflight in 1961. Factors of space and spaceflights might cause functional and somatic disorders, leading to increased mortality. Our research goal was to assess cause-specific risk of death among Soviet and Russian cosmonauts who had at least one spaceflight.

Medical qualification of a commercial spaceflight participant: not your average astronaut.

Background: Candidates for commercial spaceflight may be older than the typical astronaut and more likely to have medical problems that place them at risk during flight. Since the effects of microgravity on many medical conditions are unknown, physicians have little guidance when evaluating and certifying commercial spaceflight participants. This dynamic new era in space exploration may provide important data for evaluating medical conditions, creating appropriate medical standards, and optimizing treatment alternatives for long-duration spaceflight.