www.pucrs.br/feng/microg

Microgravity CentreThe Establishment of a Life Sciences Research Centre

in Brazil: Its Ups and Downs

Thais RussomanoHead, Microgravity Centre/FENG-PUCRS, Brazil

www.thaisrussomano.com

Porto Alegre - RS

Objectives

1- Projects - short duration, 1 to 6 months, since studies which last much longer tend to impair the development of a new centre;

2- Low cost projects in order to avoid financial considerations limiting research activity;

3- Motivate researchers, teachers and students from different areas (multidisciplinary research Centre);

4- Publish high quality research papers in scientific journals;

5- Act as a link between Brazil and universities and institutions in other countries by the exchange of investigators, students, equipment and joint funding for collaborative projects;

6- Contribute to Space Life Sciences with clear scientific, technological social and economic benefits for society.

MicroG Lab

The beginningFirst Phase

1999 - 2001

One project

An idea

A dream

MicroG Lab

Second Phase

2001-2006

Altitude Simulation

Aerospace Biomedical Engineering

Aerospace Pharmacy

Aviation Physiology

Aerospace Cardiopulmonary

Physiology

Telemedicine

Aerospace Biomechanics & Physiotherapy

Exchange Programs

MicroG Centre

Third Phase

September 2006

MicroG MicroG –– Room 2Room 2

International Cooperation

King´s College London, UK (MoU)University of New York, USA (MoU)Kaunas Medical University, Lithuania (MoU)Warsaw Medical University, Poland (MoU)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ (MoU)Univ of Central Florida (MoU)DLR, Germany (MoU)Univ of Plymouth, UKUniv of Toronto, CanadaESA, ATC, GermanyNASA, USAGreek Aerospace Medical Association & Space Research

National CooperationBrazilian Space AgencyNational Institute of Space ResearchBrazilian Aerospace Medical AssociationPrivate Companies – Lifemed, Toth, Dental Care

HarridgeNewhamThackertPavlouGreenRowlerson

Centre of Human & Aerospace 

Physiological Sciences

The Microgravity Centre

2 million dollars(maybe 1.5 million dollars more soon!!!)

PUCRS High Administration

Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Aeronautical Sciences

Microgravity Centre - Prof Thais Russomano

7 Laboratories

- Coordinator (Professor)- Trainees- Students with scholarships- Researchers

2 Research Assistants

Estimated number of people working at the MicroG = 100Number of students linked to the Micro G = 33

The Microgravity CentreA Pioneer Space Life Sciences Research Centre

in Latin America

Aerospace Biomedical Engineering Laboratory

Space Physiology Laboratory +Aviation Physiology & Medicine Laboratory(John Ernsting Aerospace Physiology Lab)

Joan Vernikos Aerospace Pharmacy Laboratory

Aerospace Physiotherapy Laboratory

Aerospace Biomechanics Laboratory

Aviation Research Laboratory

Telemedicine Laboratory

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

Aerospace Biomedical Engineering Laboratory

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

Aerospace Biomedical Engineering Laboratory

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

JE Aerospace Physiology Lab

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

JE Aerospace Physiology Lab

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

JV Aerospace Pharmacy Lab

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

JV Aerospace Pharmacy Laboratory

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

Aviation Research Laboratory

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

Aerospace Physiotherapy Laboratory

I SeminI Semináário Brasileiro de rio Brasileiro de Fisioterapia AeroespacialFisioterapia Aeroespacial

QuandoQuando: dia 25/10/2008: dia 25/10/2008OndeOnde: Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS sala : Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS sala -- IRMÃO JOSIRMÃO JOSÉÉ OTÃO OTÃO –– segundo andarsegundo andarHorHorááriorio: 08.00h : 08.00h ààs 18.00hs 18.00h

PromoPromoççãoão::Cursos de Fisioterapia do IPA/ PUCRS, Centro de Microgravidade (Cursos de Fisioterapia do IPA/ PUCRS, Centro de Microgravidade (PUCRS) e NPUCRS) e Núúcleo de Fisioterapia cleo de Fisioterapia Aeroespacial (NUFA).Aeroespacial (NUFA).

QuantoQuanto: Entrada Franca: Entrada Franca

Certificado IncluCertificado Incluíído.do.

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

Aerospace Biomechanics Laboratory

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

Telemedicine Laboratory

MICROGRAVITY CENTRE

Community Activities – Scientific Fairs and Exhibition

Van Gogh Project

µµG Blood CollectorG Blood Collector

µµG Blood CollectorG Blood CollectorCharacteristic Radial Artery

SampleHyperemic Earlobe

SampleDiscomfort Painful Pain Free

Potential Complications

Hematoma Hemorrhage

Infection Wrist pain

Hemorrhage Cutaneous infection

Ease of Use Requires trainedmedical personnel

Performed by non- medical personnel.

Potential Usage Hospitals research Hospitals, Private Clinics, Rural Centers,Aero medical Transport, ISS, Other space missions

µµG Blood CollectorG Blood Collector

µµG Blood CollectorG Blood Collector

µµG Blood CollectorG Blood Collector

Method of Blood Collection with EABCMethod of Blood Collection with EABC

www.pucrs.br/feng/microg

4. Analysis

1. Arterialization

2. Cleaning

3. Collection

Previous testsPrevious tests

www.pucrs.br/feng/microgwww.pucrs.br/feng/microg

Shock and vibration tests

ESA Parabolic Flight

Hypoxia

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Procotol – Clinical Validation

A clinical validation study was performed on 12 patients with a medically determined need for measurement of arterial blood gas tensions and acid-base variables.

Every collection consisted of one blood sample taken from the arterial side of an arterial-venous fistula and one of arterialized blood from the earlobe.

Blood analyses were based on the EC8+ i-STAT® cartridge (Abbott) that measures pH, PCO2, HCO3-, BEecf, Glu, BUN, Na+, K+, Cl-, TCO2, AnGap, Hct and Hb.

After each collection, the patient was asked to complete a pain assessment scale and the earlobe incision length measured.

www.pucrs.br/feng/microgwww.pucrs.br/feng/microg

Blood Collection:

EABC versus Blood from the arterial side of the fistula

EABC Fistula

ResultsResults

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The perceived pain was classified as minor to moderate with a

mean (±SD) of 2.7 (2.4) points (from 0 to 10).

The mean (±SD) of the earlobe cut length was 4.4 (1.3) mm.

ResultsResults

www.pucrs.br/feng/microg

The mean of the differences obtained from the arterialized and arterial samples ranged from 0.006 (for pH) to 2.8 mg/dL (for glucose).

The R2 was equal or above 0.93 in 10 of the 13 blood variables measured.

The lowest R2 was for PCO2 (0.68).

Nine of the 13 blood variables measured showed no significant difference.

BUN, Cl-, K+, anion gap were significantly different, but values varied from normality in the same direction and the difference presented has no clinical implication and affects neither treatment nor diagnosis.

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The results indicated that the EABC usage in a clinical environment can deliver results, which represent the same physiological properties as arterial blood collected from the arterial fistula.

The EABC for the first time gives a realistic possibility for the safe and easy access to arterialized blood sampling during space missions.

Conclusion

www.pucrs.br/feng/microg

The Microgravity CentreA Pioneer Space Life Sciences Research Centre

in Latin America

Thais RussomanoHead, Microgravity Centre/FENG-PUCRS, Brazil

www.thaisrussomano.com