[Evaluation of efficiency of automated analysis of microflora from test-subjects during 7-day dry immersion].

Microbial contamination of integument was evaluated in test-subjects volunteered for 7-day immersion with the purpose to evaluate a technology of automated analysis of human microbiocinosis. Integument microflora was investigated in the baseline data collection period and on day-7 of immersion with the help of the standard bacteriological method and using a prototyped automated analyzer. The investigation showed the possibilities of the automated analyzer to provide operating data about human microflora.

[Express diagnostics of microbial status of humans in 14- and 105-day isolation].

Automated digital image microscopy was used to evaluate skin microbial populations in 14- and 105-day isolation experiments within the Mars-500 project.

[Effectiveness evaluation of the sanitary-hygienic measures during 105-day isolation].

The sanitary-hygienic well-being of 6 volunteers for the 105-d chamber experiment simulating some of the spaceflight factors was evaluated. To evaluate the pertinent means and methods, clinical, hygienic and microbiological investigations were employed, and volunteers' subjective opinions of personal hygiene items and associated procedures were analyzed Based on the examination of integument and oral cavity, entries in the questionnaires concerning subjective sensations, opinions and objective data, all volunteers were invariably in good state. Level of the skin total microbial contamination was found to depend on volunteers' diligence to fulfill the hygienic routine.

[Evaluation of the practicability of linen bed-clothes and underwear in space flight].

The evaluation was performed in a pressurized chamber (ground-based experimental facility) with participation of nine volunteered test-subjects. Linen and cotton underwear and bed-clothes were intercompared by physiological and hygienic well-being of the test-subjects Comparison was made with the help of methods of the sanitary-hygienic assessment and clinical-physiological investigations, and subjective data. Alterations in integument microflora were observed in all the test-subjects irrelative of type of textile.

[Development of chow for Mongolian gerbils suitable for the conditions of space flight].

One of formidable issues of experiments with animals in space flight is water supply. For Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), classed as cricetid rodents, water in chow is enough. These animals are a new object for space biology.