[The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the elderly mental health and psychosocial support.]

The spread of the COVID-19 epidemic is accompanied by psychosocial problems that have negative consequences for the mental health (MH) and quality of life (QoL) of the majority of the population. The elderly (65+ individuals) with chronic somatic diseases and reduced adaptation reserves are particularly at risk. In General, the epidemic highlighted the growing problems of psychosocial work with the 65+ cohort in the conditions of progressive aging of the population of many developed and developing countries. These problems are directly related to the preservation of MH and QoL of elderly people, people with disabilities, and others. Additional reserves should be sought to support these categories of individuals. In particular, the use of remote tele-consulting and assistive information technologies that enhance the communication capabilities of older persons is relevant. The article analyzes publications that offer practical recommendations for reducing the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on MH and QoL in a cohort of 65+ individuals. As a starting point of the discussion, the article by A.G.Golubev et al., in which the issues of public support for 65+ persons are considered to be the most relevant in the field of gerontology in the context of emergency response to the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, is considered.

[Radiation-protective agent and anti-aging agents: random and predictable matches.]

Radiation-protective and anti-aging properties are often combined. Combination of this properties is linked to the common mechanisms of action such as direct and indirect antioxidant activities, inhibition of free radicals formation, increase resistance to stress impacts at the cellular level, acceleration of DNA reparation, prevention of chronic diseases linked to abnormalities in regeneration processes, activation of immune inflammatory processes and carcinogenesis. Regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis can often be considered as an implementing driver of radiation-protective and anti-aging activities. On the one hand, against the background of stopping the cell cycle and blockade of apoptosis increases the time required to repair the defects of a DNA. Antiapoptotic effects enhances survival chances at the early stage after irradiation in a particular range of doses. On the other hand, activation of apoptosis of altered cells can be seen as one of the mechanisms to delay aging processes and prevention of isolated effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. Formation of radiation-induced and age-related alterations are characterized by multiple factors and a variety of manifestations. Nevertheless, similarity of individual links of the pathogenesis of disease related to radiation exposure and aging of the body is striking. It could be stated that radiation-protective property defines an increase in life expectancy by short-term exposure in sub-lethal and lethal doses. However anti-aging activities prevent the development of remote effects of ionizing radiation by prolonged low doses or fractionated exposure to radiation.

Contrapositive logic suggests space radiation not having a strong impact on mortality of US astronauts and Soviet and Russian cosmonauts

Space travelers are exposed to unique forms of ionizing radiation that pose potentially serious health hazards. Prior analyses have attempted to quantify excess mortality risk for astronauts exposed to space radiation, but low statistical power has frustrated inferences. If exposure to deep space radiation were causally linked to deaths due to two particular causes, e.g., cancer and cardiovascular disease, then those cause-specific deaths would not be statistically independent. In this case, a Kaplan-Meier survival curve for a specific cause that treats deaths due to competing causes as uninformative censored events would result in biased estimates of survival probabilities. Here we look for evidence of a deleterious effect of historical exposure to space radiation by assessing whether or not there is evidence for such bias in Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival probabilities for cardiovascular disease and cancer. Evidence of such bias may implicate space radiation as a common causal link to these two disease processes. An absence of such evidence would be evidence that no such common causal link to radiation exposure during space travel exists. We found that survival estimates from the Kaplan-Meier curves were largely congruent with those of competing risk methods, suggesting that if ionizing radiation is impacting the risk of death due to cancer and cardiovascular disease, the effect is not dramatic.

Mitigating Effect of Nitrates (Monizol) on Pharmacodynamic Shifts in the Cardiovascular System Caused by Radioprotector Indralin

We studied the effect of radioprotector indralin (B-190) alone or in combination with monizol on BP and HR in rabbits, reduction of blood supply and spleen weight in rats and (CBA×C57Bl/6)F1 hybrids mice, and on blood loss from a wound on tip of the tail in mice. Being an α1-adrenomimetic, indralin caused hypertensive reaction with the development of bradycardia, reduced blood supply and spleen weight, and sharply reduced blood loss from the wound. Monizol as nitrate reduced BP without affecting HR and reduced blood loss from the wound. Monizol administered prior to indralin eliminated radioprotector-induced hypertensive reaction, reduced bradycardia by more than 2 times, and attenuated the effect of indralin on spleen weight and blood loss from the wound by 1.6-1.8 times. Monizol administered after indralin had no effect on shifts in peripheral blood supply caused by the radioprotector.

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.

METHODS

The epidemiological cohort study included 115 male cosmonauts. The observation period was 54 yr (January 1, 1961-December 31, 2014) and 2707 person-years of follow-up were obtained. By the end of the period, 84 cosmonauts were still alive and 31 were deceased. The reference groups were the male population of Russia and of the Moscow Region, where Zvezdny City (Star City) is located. Mortality risk was assessed by standardized mortality ratio (SMR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Death risk in the cohort was significantly lower than that in both reference groups: for all causes (А00-Y98; SMR = 40), for diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99; SMR = 37 and 35 compared to Russia and the Moscow Region, respectively), and for other causes, i.e., all causes except circulatory diseases, cancer, and accidents, (SMR = 8). Death risk for accidents (V01-Y98) in the cohort was 1.8-1.9 times lower than that in both reference groups: SMR = 52 (95% CI 19-139) and 56 (21-151), but was not statistically significant. SMR for cancer (C00-C97) was also below 100 (71 and 66), but insignificant.

DISCUSSION

Our findings mainly characterize mortality among the first cosmonauts who have flown to space from 1961 through the 1970s, which indicates the necessity of continuing research.Ushakov IB, Voronkov YI, Bukhtiyarov IV, Tikhonova GI, Gorchakova TYu, Bryleva MS. A cohort mortality study among Soviet and Russian cosmonauts, 1961-2014. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(12):1060-1065.

Pharmacological Analysis of the Therapeutic Effect of Radioprotectors Cystamine and Indralin in the Capacity of Radiomitigators

The therapeutic radiomitigating effect of cystamine and indralin was studied in experiments on mice and rats and pharmacological analysis of these drugs was carried out. The animals were subjected to whole-body ⁶⁰Co γ-irradiation. The mice were exposed to single (9-10 Gy) or double (8 Gy) irradiation with an interval of 1 month. The rats were exposed to 10 Gy with partial shielding of the upper quarter of the abdomen. In experiments on mice, pretreatment with reserpine abolished the therapeutic effect of cystamine administered repeatedly every 15 min over 1 h after irradiation. Moreover, summation of the radioprotective and therapeutic effects of the radioprotector was revealed under these conditions. In mice and rats, α₁-adrenoreceptor blocker terazosin did not abolish the therapeutic effect of indralin administrated after irradiation, but blocked the radioprotective effect of indralin applied prior to irradiation. At the same time, 5-HT₂ serotonin receptor blocker tropoxin abolished the therapeutic effect of indralin without affecting its radioprotective activity.

Early Response of Mouse Bone Mrrow Cells to Short-Term Irradiation in a Wide Range of Doses

Experiments on mice irradiated with γ-rays in a wide range of doses, from 0.5 to 400 cGy and the bone marrow have shown cytogenetic and cytological effects ranging from I cGy dose 24 hours after exposure to radiation. Dose-independent reduction of the number of nucleated cells in the bone marrow, normal or even elevated levels of mitotic activity, and extreme dependence of the type of chromosomal aberrations on the radiation dose with the maximum in the region of 7.5 cGy were observed in the dose range from 1 to 20 cGy. A linear dose-dependent decrease of the cell.number in the bone marrow, a decreased mitotic activity and increased number of aberrant mitosis were marked in the dose range from 20 to 400 cGy. The findings are discussed in terms of their application for explaining the mechanisms of hormesis, adaptive response, as well as the appropriateness of accounting the parameters studied for solving problems of regulation of permissible doses.

[SUBSTANTIATION OF DOSE LIMITS FOR A NEW NORMATIVE DOCUMENT ON RADIATION SAFETY OF LONG-DURATION SPACE MISSIONS AT ORBIT ALTITUDES OF UP TO 500 KM]

Review of the data of experimental radiobiology and epidemiological follow-up of large groups of people subjected to radiation exposures on Earth has been undertaken to substantiate dose limits for critical organs of cosmonauts in order to ensure good performance and vitality while on long-duration orbital missions. The career dose limits for cosmonauts and astronauts established earlier in the USSR and USA amounted to nothing more but banning the risk of cancer death increase to 3%. To apply more rigorous criteria of delayed radiation risks, the Russian limits for cosmonauts were revised to substantiate a 4-fold reduction of the average tissue equivalent dose maximum to 1 Sv. The total of cancer and non-cancer radiation risks over lifetime and probable reduction of mean life expectancy (MLE) were calculated using the model of radiation-induced mortality for mammals and taken as the main damage to health. The established dose limit is equal to the career dose for nuclear industry personnel set forth by Russian standard document NRB 99/2009. For better agreement of admissible threshold doses to critical human organs (bone marrow, lens and skin) in the revised radiation limits for long-duration space missions and radiation safety limits on Earth, reduction of dose limits for the critical organs were substantiated additionally; these limits comply with those for planned over-exposure on Earth in document NRB 99/2009.

Radioprotector indralin at early and late manifestations of local radiation injuries

Experimental model of acute local radiation injuries (LRI) was the degree of radiation skin burns of mouse paws, observed through the 10 day within 1 month after local γ -60Co-irradiation at the doses of 20-45 Gy. For late local radiation injuries with a maximum of over 6 months after exposure to radiation, model was the contracture of animal paws and post-radiation amputation of limbs of the mouse. In the experiments on mice radioprotector indralin (B-190) IP as direct α1-adrenomimetic has a expressed protective effect on reducing acute and late LRI, equal in terms of dose reduction factor (DRF) 1.4 -1.5 that was comparable to their efficacy during radiation injuries of hematopoietic tissues. Indralin fully retain its radioprotective properties (DRF = 1.5-1.7) in the condition of repeated radioprotector administration through one day at total dose of 57 Gy (three times 19 Gy) of fractionated γ -irradiation. The protective effect of indralin improved at parenteral administration in the place of local irradiation. The local topical application of indralin in the ointments or in solution of dimethylsulfoxide has radioprotective effect, equal in the term of DRF to 1.3 -1.5 at acute and late LRI. Indralin also possessed a expressed radioprotective properties (DRF = 1.5) in decrease radiation injuries of salivary glands during local irradiation of head of rats.

[Features of therapy for chronic pancreatitis associated with anxious depressive disorders in railway workers]

The article presents data on peculiarities of chronic pancreatitis course in railway transport workers (engine operators, engine operator assistants, dispatchers) with anxious depressive disorders. Pain and dyspepsia in patients with affective disorders appeared to be constant and more intense than in the patients without concomitant anxious depression. Psychophysiologic tests in 83% of patients with comorbid conditions revealed significant psychomotor dullness manifested in reliable lower speed of visual motor reactions. Pharmacologic correction via anxiolytics (Adaptol, Afobasol) combined with standard therapy for chronic pancreatitis exacerbation enabled to improve clinical symptoms, but Adaptol appeared to slow simple visual motor reactions, therefore has to be ruled out in engine operators. Pharmacotherapy of chronic pancreatitis, that included Afobasol in addition to standard treatment, promoted reliable improvement of occupationally important psychophysiologic functions. This study received a patent.

Radioprotective Properties of Indralin in Combination with Monizol in the Treatment of Local Acute and Delayed Radiation Injuries Caused by Local Skin γ-Irradiation

Female rats were exposed to local γ-irradiation of the right hindpaw in doses of 30-50 Gy at 131-154 sGy/min dose rate. Radioprotector indralin was administered per os 15 min prior to irradiation, monizol was injected intraperitoneally 5 min after irradiation. Indralin showed marked radioprotective properties both for acute and delayed symptoms of local radiation injuries. In combination with monizol, radioprotective effect of indralin was potentiated to dose reduction factor of 1.4-1.5 both for radiation burn severity reduction and for restriction of postradiational contracture development and amputation of the irradiated limb.

Potential Role of Catecholamine Response to Acute Hypoxia in the Modification of the Effects of Radioprotectors

Involvement of hormonal response (catecholamine release) to acute hypoxia induced by radioprotectors in modification of their radioprotective properties was studied in experiments on outbred mature female albino mice, female albino rats, and dogs of both sexes. The response intensity was evaluated by the reduction of radioprotective and toxic properties of indralin (a α1-adrenoceptor agonist and a radioprotector). The radioprotective effect of indralin was measured using lethal doses of whole-body γ-irradiation ((60)Co) and its acute toxicity was assessed by LD50. It was found that repeated administration of indralin with 30-60-min intervals was followed by weakening of its radioprotective effect. Similar sensitization effect of indralin was observed after pretreatment with cystamine and epinephrine. Comparison of the severity of sensitization after administration of epinephrine and cystamine in the dose providing radioprotective effect showed that the potential aminothiol-induced release of catecholamines can provide optimal long-term radioprotective effect of epinephrine.

Effect of α₁-adrenomimetic indralin on oxygen consumption by bone marrow cells in vitro

In vitro experiments with excessive and normal oxygenation of the culture medium showed unchanged oxygen consumption by mouse bone marrow cells under the influence of radioprotector indralin belonging to α1-adrenomimetics (100 μg/ml). After exhaustion of oxygen in the medium below 10 μM and progressive decrease in cellular respiration, indralin stimulated oxygen consumption by bone marrow cells by 1.5 times. The role of the observed effect of indralin in the realization of its radioprotective properties is discussed.

[Informatization of personalized adaptation medicine programs]

State of art of personalized monitoring programs informatization and improvement of human adaptation abilities as one of the preferred direction of personalized (individualized, personalized) medicine which is focused on disclosure of potential and adaptive capabilities of human body and increase of life expectancy by means of directed patient-associated diagnostic and treatment effects on the basis of genetic influences of exogenous and regional factors are described. Biomedical concepts which are the background of monitoring and improvement of the implementation of human adaptation abilities that are designed by experts in the field of aerospace medicine and are the foundation of personalized non-drug medicine are defined: occupational health, preventive health changes cascade concept, concept of similar conditions, biological age, health-related quality of life concept, software risk-metric health information concept and telecommunication technologies for monitoring of human health information technology certification. The characteristics of the present stage of development of personalized non-drug medicine are issued.

Comparative efficacy and the window of radioprotection for adrenergic and serotoninergic agents and aminothiols in experiments with small and large animals

This review gives a comparative evaluation of the radioprotective properties and the therapeutic index (TI) of radioprotectors from various pharmacological group in experiments on both small and large animals. It presents a hypothesis explaining the decrease in the TI of cystamine and 5-methoxytryptamine (mexamine), and the retention of that of α1-adrenomimetic indralin, and also compares the effects on large and small animals. The considerable differences in the therapeutic indices of catecholamines, serotonin and cystamine are a consequence of specific features of their mechanisms of radioprotective action. Radioprotectors acting via receptor mediation tend to provide a more expanded window of protection. The reduction in the TI of cystamine in larger animals, such as dogs, may be caused by the greater increase in toxicity of aminothiols in relation to the decrease in their optimal doses for radioprotective effect in going from mice to dogs, which is a consequence of the slower metabolic processes in larger animals. The somatogenic phase of intoxication by cystamine is significantly longer than the duration of its radioprotective effect, and increases with irradiation. The decrease in the radioprotective effect and the TI of mexamine in experiments with dogs may be caused by their lower sensitivity to the acute hypoxia induced by the mexamine. This is because of lower gradient in oxygen tension between tissue cells and blood capillaries under acute hypoxia that is determined by lower initial oxygen consumption in a large animal as compared with a small animal. Indralin likely provides optimal radioprotective effects and a higher TI for large animals via the increased specificity of its adrenergic effect on tissue respiration, which supports the development of acute hypoxia in the radiosensitive tissues of large animals. The stimulatory effect of indralin on early post-irradiation haematopoietic recovery cannot provide a high level of radioprotective action for large animals, but it may promote recovery.

[SQUALENE: PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES]

The review of literature demonstrates that squalene, known to most experts as an intermediate product in the synthesis of cholesterol, has several pharmacological properties including hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antioxidant, and antitoxicant activity. Squalene is effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 and can potentiate the activity of some antitumor (antiblastoma) preparations and reduce their undesired side effects. This bioactive substance has low toxicity and, in therapeutic doses, does not produce any damaging action on the human organism. A promising source of raw material for the commercial production of squalene is offered by amaranth seed oil.

[INVESTIGATION OF IRON, ZINC, STABLE STRONTIUM AND LITHIUM CONTENT IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS AND TISSUES DURING EXPERIMENTAL SPACE FLIGHT SIMULATION]

In an experiment with space flight simulation, atomic emission spectral analysis with inductively coupled argon plasma was employed to measure iron, zinc, stable strontium and lithium in blood serum and its ultrafiltered fraction, and excretion with daily urine and hair. Monitoring of serum iron and its ultraviolet fraction showed good balance of these parameters in all periods of the experiment. Blood serum was found to contain exclusively iron bound with protein carriers. In the experiment, serum zinc was distinctively dependent on the nutrient status. Stable strontium excretion with daily urine can be a biological indicator of its homeostasis. The experiment factors had no effect on the lithium form in serum, i.e. lithium was invariably present in the ionized form and in quantities equal to ultrafiltered lithium in all blood samples in all periods of the experiment.

[DEMONSTRATION OF LIKELIHOOD OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL PROTECTION DURING TOTAL PROTON IRRADIATION OF MICE]

The experiments were performed with outbred CD-1 male mice (SPF category). Total irradiation at 1.0; 2.5 and 5.0 Gy by protons with the average energy of 170 MeV was conducted in a level medical beam of the phasotron at the Joint Institute of Nuclear Investigations. Targets were 2 points of in-depth dose distribution, i.e. beam entrance of the object, and modified Bragg peak. As a physical protector, the comb filter increases linear energy transfer (LET) of 170 MeV entrance protons from 0.49 keV/μm to 1.6 keV/μm and, according to the bone marrow test, doubles the biological effectiveness of protons when comparing radiation doses that cause 37% inhibition of blood cell formation in the bone marrow. Physical protection increases dose rate from 0.37 Gy/min for entrance protons to 0.8 Gy/min for moderated protons which more than in thrice reduces time of irradiation needed to reach an equal radiobiological effect.

[IMMEDIATE RADIOBIOLOGICAL EFFECTS IN MICE FOLLOWING γ-IRRADIATION BY LOW DOSES]

Outbred CD-1 mice females aged 4 to 4.5-months were investigated in 21-22 hours following total γ-irradiation at 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 mGy. Loss in bone marrow karyocytes, as well as spleen and thymus mass reductions were significant in the group of animals irradiated at 50 and 200 mGy and less dramatic in mice irradiated at 75 mGy. The orientative-trying behavior reaction (OTBR) in the open field tested in 19-20 hours after exposure to 10 and 25 mGy was reliably stronger than in the group of biological control; however, emotional status (ES) in the animals that received 10 mGy dropped significantly. Mice irradiated at 50 mGy were found to weaken the grip of their front limbs. Dose levels differing in opposite radiobiological effects on the parameters under study were established. Doses in the range from 10 to 25 mGy maximized OTBR and ES, while doses of 50, 100 and 200 mGy produced high reactions of the immune and hemopoietic organs.

[MODIFICATION OF THE PROTON BEAM PHYSICAL PARAMETERS AND RADIOBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS BY ELEMENTS OF SPACECRAFT RADIATION PROTECTION]

The experiment was performed with outbred ICR (CD-1). female mice (SPF). The animals were irradiated by 171 MeV protons at a dose of 20 cGy. The spacecraft radiation protection elements used in the experiment were a construction of wet hygiene wipes called a "protective blind", and a glass plate imitating an ISS window. Physical obstacles on the path of 171 MeV protons increase their linear energy transfer leading to the absorbed dose elevation and strengthening of the radiobiological effect. In the experiment, two types of obstacles together raised the absorbed dose from 20 to 23.2 cGy. Chemically different materials (glass and water in the wipes) were found to exert unequal modifying effects on physical and biological parameters of the proton-irradiated mice. There was a distinct dose-dependent reduction of bone marrow cellularity within the dose range from 20 cGy to 23.2 cGy in 24 hours after exposure. No modifying effect of the radiation protection elements on spontaneous motor activity was discovered when compared with entrance protons. The group of animals protected by the glass plate exhibited normal orientative-trying reactions and weakened grip with the forelimbs. Rationalization of physical methods of spacecrew protection should be based as on knowledge in physical dosimetry (ionizing chambers, thermoluminescent, track detectors etc.), so the radiobiological criteria established in experiments with animals.

[NEUROSEMANTIC AND PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF RHYTHM-SUGGESTIVE CORRECTION OF STRESS CONDITIONS]

Correlates of successful rhythm-suggestive compensation of stress in sportsmen with neurotic symptoms developed in consequence of painful experience of failure were studied. Effectiveness of the rhythm-suggestive and rational psychological methods was compared by measuring the evoked potentials response to emotionally significant extramental verbal stimuli and images, and using psychophysiological test MASTER to track dynamics of a number of body functional parameters. The rational compensation has been shown to reduce the psychic tension and to set right the voluntary control process. Rhythm-suggestive programs are good for compensation of post-stress emotions and affectations, and the involuntary control process. It was found that correction potentialities of the rhythm-suggestive programs together with the psychodiagnostic advantages of test MASTER are promising instruments for dynamic monitoring of the mental state with the aim to prevent workplace stresses and to provide rehabilitation treatment of aftermaths.

Protective effect and the therapeutic index of indralin in juvenile rhesus monkeys

The radioprotective effect of indralin in rhesus monkeys was examined over 60 d following gamma irradiation. Male and female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) 2-3-years-old and weighing 2.1-3.5 kg were used. Animals were exposed to total-body gamma irradiation from (60)Co at a dose of 6.8 Gy (lethal dose, 100% lethality over 30 days). Indralin (40-120 mg kg(-1)) was administered intramuscularly 5 min prior to radiation exposure. Indralin taken at a dose of 120 mg kg(-1) protected five out of six monkeys (compared with the radiation control group, in which all 10 animals died). The average effective dose of indralin in the monkeys exposed to gamma irradiation for 30 min was equal to 77.3 (63.3-94.3) mg kg(-1), and the maximum tolerated dose of indralin administered to monkeys was 800 mg kg(-1). Indralin reduced radiation-induced injuries in macaques, thus resulting in a less severe course of acute radiation syndrome. Delayed and less pronounced manifestation of the haemorrhagic syndrome of the disease, and milder forms of both leukopenia and anaemia were also noted. The therapeutic index for indralin, expressed as the ratio of the maximum tolerated dose to the average effective dose, was equal to 10. Therefore, indralin has a significant radioprotective effect against radiation and has a high therapeutic index in rhesus monkeys.

[Psychophysiological mechanisms of formation and development of functional states]

The modern approaches to the problem of formation and development of human functional states was presented. Described grounded theoretical results of experimental studies of the concept of "pattern of functional state" as a description of the functional state in terms of the characteristics of the activity of functional systems to ensure its formation and development in accordance with the dominant. Presented the characteristics of patterns of functional states, determining the reliability of human activities in extreme conditions.

[Unconscious components of the psychophysiological reactions of the participants in the experiment with 520-day isolation]

Six participants in MARS-500 were examined in an effort to gather information about intrapersonal conflicts and life spheres with high emotional tension associated with participation in the experiment with extended group isolation. The investigation was performed using the operational analogy-based neuro-semantic psychodiagnostics which allows to regard the subconscious as a semantic filter with unstructured semantic information at the input and information structured by the inner world content at the output. The results shed light on the semantic structure of subjective experience and functioning of protective mechanisms, as well as organizational levels and modality of emotional experience. Prior to and after 520-day isolation, all the participants were shown to have intrapersonal conflicts and high emotional tension in the socio-professional sphere, caused by the family/sexual and interpersonal relations and self-rating, and concerns about life and health. On the completion of isolation, the psychoemotional tension reduced quantitatively in interpersonal relations and increased in family/sexual.

[The BION-M1 project: overview and first results]

Biosatellite BION-M1 was launched on April 19 and landed on May 19, 2013. The mission program was largely a continuation of the earlier flown 11 BION projects, FOTON-M2 and FOTON-M3. The biosatellite was inhabited by a great variety of living organisms used for experiments and studies in gravitational physiology, gravitational biology, biotechnology, astrobiology and radiation biology, dosimetry and spectrometry. This was the first time in the history of national biology and physiology when male mice C57bl/6 were chosen for a long-term space experiment focused upon molecular biology investigations. Unfortunately, because of technical failures during the flight a part of the animals were lost. However, the major objectives were attained through reconsideration of biomaterial division among investigators and completion of virtually the total scope of investigations.

[Use of the prenosology approach for attaining the objectives of pilot medical expertise]

Early diagnostics of senior pilots for diseases and conditions undesirable in terms of flight safety is tightly linked with evaluation of risks of their development. Prenosology diagnostics is focused on borderline states that may pass from health to disease (prenosology and premorbidity) and, vice versa, from disease to recovery (postnosology). Regarding health as a vital adaptation reserve, prenosology diagnostics is concerned with the ability of organism to adapt to an environment rather than probability of disease. Constant drain of adaptation reserves may become a reason for increased risks of disease. Heart rate variability analysis is one of the instruments of prenosology diagnostics. Authors of the paper discuss applicability of the space medicine oriented probabilistic approach to evaluation of adaptation risks by medical expertise boards certifying civil pilots. Results of 2 series of investigations showed increased adaptation risks and reduced functional reserves in pilots found unfit to continue career.

[Radiobiological effects of total mice irradiation with Bragg's peak protons]

Outbred CD-1 female mice were irradiated in a proton beam (171 MeV, 5 Gy) on the phasotron at the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia). Radiation was delivered in two points of the depth dose distribution: at the beam entry and on Bragg's peak. Technical requirements for studying the effects of Bragg's peak protons on organism of experimental animals were specified. It was recognized that protons with high linear energy transfer (mean LET = 1.6 keV/microm) cause a more severe damaging effect to the hemopoietic system and cytogenetic apparatus in bone marrow cells as compared with entry protons and 60Co gamma-quanta. It was shown that recovery of the main hemopoietic organs and immunity as well as elimination of chromosomal aberrations take more time following irradiation with Bragg's peak protons but not protons with the energy of 171 MeV.

[Investigation of the copper content in blood serum and its ultrafiltrate in the conditions of experimental space flight simulation]

In experiment MARS-500 on remote space flight simulation, atomic emission spectral analysis with inductively coupled argon plasma was used to measure serum copper and its ultrafiltration fraction. It was shown that, in contrast to baseline data, the Cu serum level varied within the normal physiological boundaries throughout the entire simulation experiment. These variations were sync in all the serum samples. In several periods in the experiment reductions in serum Cu within the baseline range were equivalent to simultaneous reductions in ceruloplasmin. Amount of the free Cu (ultrafiltration) fraction, i.e. not bound to proteins in blood serum, was constant at all times. Since the simulation experiment is not a perfect analogy of space flight because of nonreproducibility of some factors, ionizing radiation specifically, we should take into consideration shifts in the serum copper balance caused by the action of space radiation on human organism. Radiation-induced imbalance is not only a marker of disturbed oxidase function of blood but also points to a mechanism of potential pathological outcome of toxic excessive copper accumulated in the brain, liver and kidney.

[Radiation protection agents to provide the radiation safety of astronauts]

Taking into consideration the complexity of radiation factors and stressogenic factors of non-radiation nature in cosmic flights and prognostic difficulties of radiation situation, the authors propose to distinguish several stages of pharmacological protection for cosmonauts. The preparatory stage is realized on the Earth. The next stage is monitoring and correction of radioresistance during a flight. A possible stage consists of treatment of the radiation damage using a traditional protocol. The permanent stage includes pharmacological prevention of the distant consequences of irradiation.

[Light-isotope water as a therapeutic agent for acute radiation disease]

Eighty outbred CD-I male and female mice (initial body mass of 31-34 g) and 40 male Wistar rats (initial body mass of 280-360 g) were randomly distributed into the experimental and control groups by sex and body mass. According to the results of experiments, consumption of rectified light-isotope water over 30 days immediately after irradiation by gamma-quanta 60Co at 5 Gy and 6.5 Gy can increase survivability rate significantly, accelerate hemopoiesis recovery and prevent body mass loss in irradiated animals. Therefore, light-isotope water can be considered as an effective agent for treatment of the bone marrow syndrome.

[Electrophysiological characteristics of heart rate regulationin patients with the phenomenon and syndrome of Wolff-Parkinson-White's]

The paper presents the results of electrocardiography, echocardiography, heart rate variability, nonlinear dynamicsin patients with the phenomenon and syndrome of Wolff-Parkinson-White's (WPW). 54 patients whom we divided into 3 groups were included in research: group of patients with WPW a phenomenon, with WPW a syndrome and group of healthy. We proved a role of the main pathophysiological mechanisms in formation of pathology of heart at WPW a syndrome with use of mathematical models. These models are based on the correlation analysis: disturbances of regulatory mechanisms, electric and mechanical remodeling of a myocardium.

[Conception of health: space-earth]

In article the new approach to an estimation of a health state of cosmonauts, sportsmen, pilots, drivers, operators, persons of dangerous trades is considered. It has been created and developed in Institute of biomedical problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences under the direction of academician A.I. Grigoriev. Results of works of last decade, by the Program of Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences carried out at support of "Fundamental sciences--are submited to medicine". The new system for an estimation of a functional states of an organism at stressful influences in submitted. The methodology of remote studying of influence of ecological factors on health which has begun a new scientific--practical direction--to telemedical ecology is created. In conclusion of the article it is discussed questions of the further introduction of new concept of health and technologies prenosological diagnostics in practice of public health services.

[New technologies for evaluation of health status of apparently healthy people]

The article considers the questions of development of new technologies for evaluation of health of apparently healthy people based on experience of long-term researches of cosmonauts' performed at Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Biomedical Problems under the direction of academician A. I. Grigoriev. In 2007 in monograph "Concept of Health and Space Medicine" the principle of health estimation in apparently healthy people working in conditions of chronic stress was described. These approaches were realized the same year to produce a new hard and software "Ecosan-2007". In the following 2008 the device has been tested for inspection of bus drivers and pilots of civil aircraft and since 2009 it has been used in the international project "Mars-500". All these developments and researches were supported by the Fundamental Sciences-to-Medicine Program maintained by the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences under guidance of academician A. I. Grigoriev. In the project 'Mars-500" in the "artificial confinement", simulating the interplanetary ship, 6 members of the international "Martian crew" were medically and psycho physiologically surveyed. Among set of various devices the "Ecosan-2007" was also used. With application of the same device, not less that 125 volunteers were examined, who lived usual life in natural and socially-industrial conditions. The investigation was simultaneously conducted in 12 various regions of the world. These long-term medico-ecological researches allowed to receive important experimental substantiations for preclinical approach to state of health estimation. In the frame of these researches the methodology of remote monitoring of adverse ecological factor effects on health initiated telemedical ecology, a new applied discipline. The article concludes with discussion of the issues of health conception and new preclinical diagnostic technologies adapting by the public health services.

[Radiation situation prognosis for deep space: reactions of water and living systems to chronic low-dose ionizing irradiation]

The authors review the findings of researches into the effects of low-dose ionizing irradiation on diverse biological objects (embryonic Japanese quails, Aspergillus niger, Spirostomum ambiguum Ehrbg., mesenchymal stem cells from mouse marrow, dry higher plants seeds, blood lymphocytes from pilots and cosmonauts). Model experiments with chronic exposure to ionizing radiation doses comparable with the measurements inside orbital vehicles and estimations for trips through the interplanetary space resulted in morphological disorders (embryonic Japanese quails, Aspergillus niger), radiation hormesis (Aspergillus niger, MSCs from mouse marrow), increase in the seed germination rate, inhibition of Spirostomum spontaneous activity, DNA damages, chromosomal aberrations, and increase of the blood lymphocytes reactivity to additional radiation loading. These facts give grounds to assume that the crucial factor in the radiation outcomes is changes in liquid medium. In other words, during extended orbiting within the magnetosphere region and interplanetary missions ionizing radiation affects primarily liquids of organism and, secondarily, its morphofunctional structures.

[Characteristics of crew communicative behavior and gonadal hormones excretion during long-term chamber isolation of international male crew]

The peculiarities of psycho-physiological adaptation to the simulation of the extended autonomous manned Mission to Mars with limited resources and external communication were studied. Verbal communication of the crew of 6 male subjects, representing Russian and European Space Agency with Mission Control (MC) as well as physiological correlates of 105-days life and work in the chambers under sensory deprivation, confinement, monotony and high autonomy were observed. Psychological, physiological and biochemical (urinary cortisol and gonadal hormones) testing together with content-analysis of the crew communication with MC were made in parallel. Gained results confirmed to a considerable extent the preliminary hypothesis about the serious impact of such stressful factors as intragroup conflict, significant decrease of the variety and scope of communication with the outer world and social pressure on the verbal behavior and hormonal excretion of the future Martian crew. For the first time correlation between the metabolism of the gonadal hormones and the volume, content and creativity of the verbal human behavior during various stages of adaptation to the extended isolation in the chambers.

[Intergeneration continuity and adherence to the traditions of fundamental physiological science--the basis for present and guarantee of future advancements in space physiology and medicine]

Sprung from the national physiological science and aviation medicine, space physiology and medicine of today is an intensely evolving discipline cradled and fostered by the Russian scientists who made major contributions both to individual branches of physiology and general research methodology. Upholding the best traditions, space physiology and medicine specialists retain leadership in many areas and ensure intergeneration continuity in research work. Among these areas are investigations into the physiological mechanisms of water-electrolyte turnover in animals and humans in the course of space flight and ground-based model experiments.

[Activity of the skeletal muscle proteolytic systems during functional unloading]

The recovery of the skeletal muscle structure and function after prolonged disuse is the problem of the rehabilitation and space medicine great concern. Hypokinesia affects mainly the postural muscles responsible for the support reaction. Atrophy developed under disuse is the result of the protein synthesis and proteolysis balance shift. Several signaling systems regulating proteolysis are known now, though only recently researchers paid attention to the question whether these systems work identically in the muscles atrophied under different stimuli (denervation, starvation etc.). In this review we aimed to summarize and analyze cumulative data concerning the work of the different proteolytic systems during the atrophy caused by hypokinesia and/or hypogravity. Also we discuss here the latest data about the interconnection of the signaling systems regulating the structural and functional muscle proteins degradation and synthesis under disuse.

[Evaluation of the radiofrequency ablation effectiveness in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]

A one-year prospective study involved 22 patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) and 20 healthy people. Means age of patients was 34.3 +/- 16.3 years. All 22 patients were successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of additional pathways. RFA effectiveness was evaluated with the help of clinical questionnaire, data of ECG, EchoCG, heart rate variability (HRV), frequency response and nonlinear dynamics. Cardiac rhythm disturbances were verified using Holter monitoring applied to all patients. Positive clinical effect was achieved in all the WPW patients, as RFA arrested cardiac arrhythmias completely. Holter monitoring did not register cardiac disturbances which points to high RFA effectiveness in WPW patients. HRV, frequency response and nonlinear dynamics reassumed their normal patterns.

[Magnesium level in human organism during 105-day isolation]

Total and ionized magnesium in blood serum and in daily urine were determined before (baseline values) and on days 30, 60 and 105 of the experiment with 105-d isolation and confinement (Mars-105)/ Magnesium in hair was investigated before (baseline values) and on day-105 of the experiment. The investigations were performed using atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled argon plasma. Changes in magnesium were most significant over the initial 30 days in the experiment. Reduction of serum magnesium was accounted for by the fall in the ionized fraction. In organism magnesium is controlled by the ion-regulatory function of the kidney and varies with individuals. Levels of ionized magnesium in blood serum and excreted with daily urine can serve as indicators of stress resistivity .

[The problem of estimation of the organism adaptable opportunities under stressful influences]

The human organism testing in conditions of modern scientific and technical progress constant stressful influences (industrial, social, psycho-emotional) was carried out for continuous adaptation to the environment: changing of the level of functioning of separate systems and a corresponding tension of regulatory mechanisms occurred. In the article, theoretical bases and methodology of studying the adaptable capacities of the organism are considered. The prenosological diagnostics was used for studying functional conditions on the verge of norm and pathology. The heart rate variability analysis was used based on mathematical model of functional conditions. Concrete technologies and results of evaluation of the adaptation capacities of the organism in space and aviation medicine are presented as well as in applied physiology.

[The problems of studying the effects of far long-duration space mission factors on the higher nervous activity in model experiments with animals]

The article presents the analysis of difficulty with studying the CNS functional changes caused by ionizing radiations solely and in combination with the other spaceflight factors, and discusses optional methods of modeling the basic elements of operator's work in experiments with animals, primates specifically, as well as of data extrapolation on humans.

[The stress of mortally dangerous conditions: the individual psychophysiological mechanisms of adaptation in life-threatening situations]

Investigation into the mechanisms of the individual psychophysiological adaptation to life-threatening situations was performed. The data analysis of evoked potentials induced with verbal stimuli in 30-50-msec exposures was executed. Cross-correlation and wavelet analysis, as well as neurone algorithms were used to define total brain response to each stimulus and its duration. Correlation of the estimated parameters with subconscious aspects of psychic activity is discussed. Results of the studies performed with this neurosemantie method in various groups of subjects perceiving threat to life in the course of their performance, are presented. Described changes in the subconscious response mechanisms can help to clarify the direction for creation of new approaches with psychological correction and support.

[Physiological diagnostics of extreme effects: the succession of native science traditions]

Modern problems of human labour physiology under extreme conditions are associated with two radical tasks: protection of the organism from environmental hazardous factors and a drop in the risk level of their delayed negative consequences. The last decades shows fruitfulness of native researchers' studies for maintenance of human survival in extreme conditions and preservation of labour capacities. One of the fundamental trends of physiological science is represented by studies of relationships in the system of cortical-visceral function control and the mechanisms of interaction between hormonal and nervous systems.