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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

A Hypothesis on Biological Protection from Space Radiation Through the Use of Therapeutic Gases

This slide presentation proposes a hypothesis to use therapeutic gases in space to enhance the biological protection for astronauts from space radiation. The fundamental role in how radiation causes biological damage appears to be radiolysis, the dissociation of water by radiation. A chain of events appears to cause molecular and biological transformations that ultimately manifest into medical diseases. The hypothesis of this work is that applying medical gases may increase resistance to radiation, by possessing the chemical properties that effectively improve the radical scavenging and enhance bond repair and to induce biological processes which enhance and support natural resistance and repair mechanisms.

Schoenfeld, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2011

Application of Emerging Pharmaceutical Technologies for Therapeutic Challenges of Space Exploration Missions

An important requirement of therapeutics for extended duration exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit will be the development of pharmaceutical technologies suitable for sustained and preventive health care in remote and adverse environmental conditions. Availability of sustained, stable and targeted delivery pharmaceuticals for preventive health of major organ systems including gastrointestinal, hepato-renal, musculo-skeletal and immune function are essential to offset adverse effects of space environment beyond low Earth orbit. Specifically, medical needs may include multi-drug combinations for hormone replacement, radiation protection, immune enhancement and organ function restoration. Additionally, extended stability of pharmaceuticals dispensed in space must be also considered in future drug development. Emerging technologies that can deliver stable and multi-therapy pharmaceutical preparations and delivery systems include nanotechnology based drug delivery platforms, targeted-delivery systems in non-oral and non-parenteral formulation matrices. Synthetic nanomaterials designed with molecular precision offer defined structures, electronics, and chemistries to be efficient drug carriers with clear advantages over conventional materials of drug delivery matricies. Nano-carrier materials like the bottle brush polymers may be suitable for systemic delivery of drug cocktails while Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles or (SPIONS) have great potential to serve as carriers for targeted drug delivery to a specific site. These and other emerging concepts of drug delivery and extended shelf-life technologies will be reviewed in light of their application to address health-care challenges of exploration missions. Innovations in alternate treatments for sustained immune enhancement and infection control will be also discussed.

Putcha, Lakshmi↗
NASA NTRS2014

Therapeutic Options for Controlling Fluids in the Visual System

Visual Impairment/Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) is a newly recognized risk at NASA. The VIIP project examines the effect of long-term exposure to microgravity on vision of crewmembers before and after they return to Earth. Diamox (acetazolamide) is a medication which is used to decrease intraocular pressure; however, it carries a 3% risk of kidney stones. Astronauts are at a higher risk of kidney stones during spaceflight and the use Diamox would only increase the risk; therefore alternative therapies were investigated. Histamine 2 (H2) antagonist acid blockers such as cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine and nizatidine are typically used to relieve the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). H2 receptors have been found in the human visual system, which has led to research on the use of H2 antagonist blockers to control fluid production in the human eye. Another potential therapeutic strategy is targeted at aquaporins, which are water channels that help maintain fluid homeostasis. Aquaporin antagonists are also known to affect intracranial pressure which can in turn alter intraocular pressure. Studies on aquaporin antagonists suggest high potential for effective treatment. The primary objective of this investigation is to review existing research on alternate medications or therapy to significantly reduce intracranial and intraocular pressure. A literature review was conducted. Even though we do not have all the answers quite yet, a considerable amount of information was discovered, and findings were narrowed, which should allow for more conclusive answers to be found in the near future.

Curry, Kristina M.↗
NASA NTRS1969

The centrifuge as a therapeutic device.

Centrifugation for removal of bullet fragment floating freely in ventricular system of human brain to fixed safe position in left lateral ventricle wall

Dickson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Therapeutic hand-exercising device with cycling pressure value

Device exercises hands of persons whose fingers are generally straight and need to be flexed inward toward palms of hands. Device is extremely simple in design, which reduces costs, and fits all hand sizes. Patient can instantly free hand from device by pulling flap free from wrist of straps.

Barthlome, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Current therapeutic techniques and rehabilitation from neurological disorders

Rancho Los Amigos Hospital is a 1100-bed teaching hospital that is primarily oriented toward rehabilitation. The individual services that deal with neuromuscular disorders are categorically disease entity oriented: They are directed toward the major problems, such as spinal cord injuries, amputations, stroke, cerebral palsy, and rheumatoid arthritis. The services at Rancho cross many traditional medical specialty barriers.

Nickel, V. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Chemico-therapeutic approach to prevention of dental caries

The program of chemical preventive dentistry is based primarily upon the development of a procedure for stabilizing stannous fluoride in solution by forcing it into glycerin. New topical fluoride treatment concentrates, fluoride containing gels and prophylaxis pastes, as well as a completely stable stannous fluoride dentifrice are made possible by the development of a rather complicated heat application method to force stannous fluoride into solution in glycerin. That the stannous fluoride is clinically effective in such a preparation is demonstrated briefly on orthodontic patients.

Shannon, I. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Studies Relative to the Radiosensitivity of Man: Based on Retrospective Evaluations of Therapeutic and Accidental Total-Body Irradiation

The radiobiologic studies carried out with joint (AEC) ERDA and NASA support during the years 1964 to 1974 at the Medical Division of Oak Ridge Associated Universities are presented. The physiologic data generated were similar in many ways to those previously observed in other medical radiobiologic experiences. They differed, however, in the methods of data acquisition and analysis. Instead of more conventional analytical methods, pulmonary impedance was recorded and quantitated as a measure of radiation-induced gastrointestinal distress and fatiguability. While refinements in dose response related to gastrointestinal distress were accomplished, it was also found that through the use of Fourier analysis of pulmonary impedance waveform GI distress could easily be recognized and quantified even when the initial stages of nausea were below the subjects subjective level of recognition. The results demonstrate that change in pulmonary impedance waveform closely parallel well-defined stages of GI distress, i.e., initial nausea, a progressive increase in nausea, and finally vomiting episodes.

Ricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The effects of normal and therapeutic baths on the central vascular organs of persons with healthy hearts, as measured by X-ray

According to current information, baths have a four-fold effect on the circulation: (1) Dilation or constriction is produced in the area of the blood vessels in the skin as a result of thermal, chemical or mechanical stimuli; (2) This reaction in the dermal vascular system produces a further effect on the central vessels in the extremities, the area of the splanchnicus, and other body cavities; (3) The reflect transposition of other organ systems, i.e., the respiratory organs, has a reaction on the circulation; and (4) The water pressure of the bath has a hydrostatic effect, i.e., on the one hand it empties peripheral veins more rapidly, and on the other it increases the intra-abdominal pressure and this reduces once again the circulation in the area of the splanchnicus.

Boehm, G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

EEG Analysis of the Effects of Therapeutic Cooling on the Cognitive Performance of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The objective of this project was to determine whether a controlled period of head and torso cooling would enhance the cognitive performance of multiple sclerosis patients. Nineteen MS patients (11 men and 8 women) participated in the study. Control data were taken from nineteen healthy volunteers (12 men and 7 women). All but six of nineteen MS patients tested improved their cognitive performance, as measured by their scores on the Rao test battery. A second objective was to gain insight into the neurological effects of cooling. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) stimulated by a reversing checkerboard pattern were recorded before and after cooling. We found that cooling selectively benefited the cognitive performance of those MS patients whose pre-cooling VEPs were abnormally shaped (which is an indication of visual pathway impairment due to demyelinization). Moreover, for female MS patients, the degree of cognitive performance improvement following cooling was correlated with a change in the shape of their VEPs toward a more normal shape following cooling.

Montgomery, Leslie D.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Modeling the Normal and Neoplastic Cell Cycle with 'Realistic Boolean Genetic Networks': Their Application for Understanding Carcinogenesis and Assessing Therapeutic Strategies

In this paper we show how Boolean genetic networks could be used to address complex problems in cancer biology. First, we describe a general strategy to generate Boolean genetic networks that incorporate all relevant biochemical and physiological parameters and cover all of their regulatory interactions in a deterministic manner. Second, we introduce 'realistic Boolean genetic networks' that produce time series measurements very similar to those detected in actual biological systems. Third, we outline a series of essential questions related to cancer biology and cancer therapy that could be addressed by the use of 'realistic Boolean genetic network' modeling.

Szallasi, Zoltan↗
NASA NTRS2004

Magnetic microspheres and tissue model studies for therapeutic applications

The use of magnetic fluids and magnetic particles in combinatorial hyperthermia therapy for cancer treatment is reviewed. The investigation approach adopted for producing thermoregulating particles and tissue model studies for studying particle retention and heating characteristics is discussed.

Review↗
NASA NTRS2011

Risk of Therapeutic Failure due to Ineffectiveness of Medication

Given that terrestrial medical practices must be used as the basis for drug choice and use on missions, there is a possibility that medications used will be ineffective or inappropriate for the actual circumstances encountered on missions. Because the human body undergoes a variety of physiological changes during spaceflight, there is a risk that terrestrial medications may not perform as expected when used during spaceflight. Alterations in physiology due to spaceflight could result in unexpected drug action on the body (pharmacodynamics) or in unusual drug absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion (pharmacokinetics). The spaceflight environment may also have direct effects on stored drugs themselves, leading to premature inactivation or degradation of stored drugs.

Woring, Virginia E.↗