The lung is extremely susceptible to gravity, even during short-term changes of the gravity vector, because it is a mixture of air and elastic tissue components. Yet, there is limited knowledge of the effects of gravity on the respiratory system. This is an important issue, for two reasons: 1) for understanding the physiology of space flight; and 2) because a better knowledge of these effects c...

INTRODUCTION Stress is a common trigger for various physiological disturbances, including feeding disorders. One of the possible mechanisms for feeding disorders may be linked to changes in intestinal movement caused by stress. Therefore, here we investigated in vitro stress-induced changes in ileal movement. METHODS Rats (female Wistar, SPF) were divided into Control (1 G) and hypergravity (...

A non-invasive electrophysiology system for performing rapid measurements on Xenopus laevis oocytes under varying gravity levels is presented. Our novel approach makes the need for inserting microelectrodes into the cytosol unnecessary. Immobilization of the oocyte on top of an orifice is achieved using a slight air overpressure to ensure that the cell is kept in a stable condition even under v...

Microgravity, hypergravity, vibration, ionizing radiation and temperature fluctuations are major factors of outer space flight affecting human organs and tissues. There are several reports on the effect of space flight on different human cell types of mesenchymal origin while information regarding changes to vascular endothelial cells is scarce. Ultrastructural and cytophysiological features of...