Search

We discuss shallow resonances in the nonrelativistic scattering of two particles using an effective field theory (EFT) that includes an auxiliary field with the quantum numbers of the resonance. We construct the manifestly renormalized scattering amplitude up to next-to-leading order in a systematic expansion. For a narrow resonance, the amplitude is perturbative except in the immediate vicinity of the resonance poles. It naturally has a zero in the low-energy region, analogous to the Ramsauer-Townsend effect. For a broad resonance, the leading-order amplitude is nonperturbative almost everywhere in the regime of validity of the EFT. We regain the results of an EFT without the auxiliary field, which is equivalent to the effective-range expansion with large scattering length and effective range. We also consider an additional fine tuning leading to a low-energy amplitude zero even for a broad resonance. We show that in all cases the requirement of renormalizability when the auxiliary field is not a ghost ensures the resonance poles are in the lower half of the complex momentum plane, as expected by other arguments. The systematic character of the EFT expansion is exemplified with a toy model serving as underlying theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optical blood hydration monitor for use with extracorporeal haemodialysis circuits is described. Studies in five stable haemodialysis patients demonstrate good correlations between measured blood water, haemoglobin concentration and optical attenuation during ultrafiltration. There are no significant errors introduced as a result of a changing extracorporeal circuit pressure and errors resulting from a changing state of oxygenation of haemoglobin are small. Changes in blood volume effected by ultrafiltration may be deduced if it is assumed that these are due solely to shifts of water into or out of the vascular compartment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Wider clinical applications of 9p status in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are limited owing to the lack of validation and consensus for interphase fluorescent in situ hybridisation (I-FISH) scoring technique. The aim of this study was to analytically validate the applicability of I-FISH in assessing 9p deletion in ccRCC and to clinically assess its long-term prognostic impact following surgical excision of ccRCC.Methods:Tissue microarrays were constructed from 108 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumour paraffin blocks. Interphase fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis was undertaken based on preset criteria by two independent observers to assess interobserver variability. 9p status in ccRCC tumours was determined and correlated to clinicopathological variables, recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival.Results:There were 80 ccRCCs with valid 9p scoring and a median follow-up of 95 months. Kappa statistic for interobserver variability was 0.71 (good agreement). 9p deletion was detected in 44% of ccRCCs. 9p loss was associated with higher stage, larger tumours, necrosis, microvascular and renal vein invasion, and higher SSIGN (stage, size, grade and necrosis) score. Patients with 9p-deleted ccRCC were at a higher risk of recurrence (P=0.008) and RCC-specific mortality (P=0.001). On multivariate analysis, 9p deletion was an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio 4.323; P=0.021) and RCC-specific mortality (hazard ratio 4.603; P=0.007). The predictive accuracy of SSIGN score improved from 87.7% to 93.1% by integrating 9p status to the model (P=0.001).Conclusions:Loss of 9p is associated with aggressive ccRCC and worse prognosis in patients following surgery. Our findings independently confirm the findings of previous reports relying on I-FISH to detect 9p (CDKN2A) deletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrastriatal injection of recombinant adeno-associated viral vector serotype 2/1 (rAAV2/1) to overexpress the neurotrophic factor pleiotrophin (PTN) provides neuroprotection for tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (THir) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), increases THir neurite density in the striatum (ST) and reverses functional deficits in forepaw use following 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) toxic insult. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene transfer studies suggest that optimal neuroprotection is dependent on the site of nigrostriatal overexpression. The present study was conducted to determine whether enhanced neuroprotection could be accomplished via simultaneous rAAV2/1 PTN injections into the ST and SN compared with ST injections alone. Rats were unilaterally injected in the ST alone or injected in both the ST and SN with rAAV2/1 expressing either PTN or control vector. Four weeks later, all rats received intrastriatal injections of 6-OHDA. Rats were euthanized 6 or 16 weeks relative to 6-OHDA injection. A novel selective total enumeration method to estimate nigral THir neuron survival was validated to maintain the accuracy of stereological assessment. Long-term nigrostriatal neuroprotection and functional benefits were only observed in rats in which rAAV2/1 PTN was injected into the ST alone. Results suggest that superior preservation of the nigrostriatal system is provided by PTN overexpression delivered to the ST and restricted to the ST and SN pars reticulata and is not improved with overexpression of PTN within SNpc neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Proteomics-based approaches for biomarker discovery are promising strategies used in cancer research. We present state-of-art label-free quantitative proteomics method to assess proteome of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) compared with noncancer renal tissues.Methods:Fresh frozen tissue samples from eight primary RCC lesions and autologous adjacent normal renal tissues were obtained from surgically resected tumour-bearing kidneys. Proteins were extracted by complete solubilisation of tissues using filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) method. Trypsin digested proteins were analysed using quantitative label-free proteomics approach followed by data interpretation and pathways analysis.Results:A total of 1761 proteins were identified and quantified with high confidence (MASCOT ion score threshold of 35 and P-value <0.05). Of these, 596 proteins were identified as differentially expressed between cancer and noncancer tissues. Two upregulated proteins in tumour samples (adipose differentiation-related protein and Coronin 1A) were further validated by immunohistochemistry. Pathway analysis using IPA, KOBAS 2.0, DAVID functional annotation and FLink tools showed enrichment of many cancer-related biological processes and pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis and amino acid synthetic pathways.Conclusions:Our study identified a number of differentially expressed proteins and pathways using label-free proteomics approach in RCC compared with normal tissue samples. Two proteins validated in this study are the focus of on-going research in a large cohort of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aetiology of primary brain tumours is largely unknown; the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin use and glioma risk has been inconclusive, but few population-based studies with reliable prescribing data have been conducted, and the association with meningioma risk has yet to be assessed. Methods: The UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink was used to assess the association between aspirin and non-aspirin NSAID use and primary brain tumour risk using a nested case-control study design. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed on 5,052 brain tumour patients aged 16 years and over, diagnosed between 1987 and 2009 and 42,678 controls matched on year of birth, gender and general practice, adjusting for history of allergy and hormone replacement therapy use in the glioma and meningioma models, respectively. Results: In conditional logistic regression analysis, excluding drug use in the year preceding the index date, there was no association with non-aspirin NSAID use (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.81-1.13) or glioma risk comparing the highest category of daily defined dose to non-users; however, non-aspirin NSAID use was positively associated with meningioma risk (OR 1.35, 95 % CI 1.06-1.71). No association was seen with high- or low-dose aspirin use irrespective of histology. Conclusions: This large nested case-control study finds no association between aspirin or non-aspirin NSAID use and risk of glioma but a slight increased risk with non-aspirin NSAIDs and meningioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) routinely incorporates tip position confirmation using standard radiographs. In this study, we sought to determine whether real-time ultrasound (RTUS) could be used to place a PICC in a shorter time period, with fewer manipulations and fewer radiographs than the use of radiographs to determine accurate placement.Study Design:This was a prospective, randomized, trial of infants who required PICC placement. Catheters were placed using either standard radiograph, with blinded evaluation of the catheters using RTUS or with RTUS guidance, with input on catheter tip location. The number of radiographs required to confirm proper positioning, duration of the procedure and manipulations of the lines were recorded for both groups. Final confirmation of PICC placement was by radiographs in both groups.Result:A total of 64 patients were enrolled in the study, with 16 failed PICC attempts. Of the 48 remaining infants, 28 were in the standard placement group and 20 were in the RTUS-guided group. The mean±s.d. gestational ages and weight at time of placement were 30±4 weeks and 1229±485 g, respectively. The RTUS use significantly decreased the time of line placement by 30 min (P=0.034), and decreased the median number of manipulations (0 vs 1, P=0.032) and radiographs (1 vs 2 P=0.001) taken to place the catheters. Early identification of the PICC by RTUS was possible in all cases and would have saved an additional 38 min if radiographs were not required.Conclusion:In the hands of ultrasound (US)-experienced neonatologists, RTUS-guided PICC placement reduces catheter insertion duration, and is associated with fewer manipulations and radiographs when compared with conventional placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Observations that diabetics treated with biguanide drugs have a reduced risk of developing cancer have prompted an enthusiasm for these agents as anti-cancer therapies. We sought to determine the efficacy of the biguanide phenformin in the chemoprophylaxis and in the treatment of oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF7 and receptor triple-negative MDAMB231 xenografts in immunocompromised mice. We also compared the efficacy of phenformin and metformin in the treatment of MDAMB231.Methods:Immunocompromised mice were divided into groups: (1) phenformin administered for 2 weeks prior to cell injection; (2) established tumours treated with phenformin; (3) established tumours treated with metformin (only for MDAMB231 tumours); (4) untreated controls. Post-treatment tumours, liver and spleen were harvested for further analysis.Results:Phenformin significantly inhibited both the development and growth of MCF7 and MDAMB231 tumours, and for MDAMB231 at greater efficacy than metformin without murine toxicity. The number of mitotic figures was significantly fewer in xenografts treated with phenformin compared with controls. Results suggested that the mechanism of action of phenformin in vivo is consistent with AMPK activation.Conclusion:Phenformin has clinical potential as an antineoplastic agent and should be considered for clinical trials both in ER-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:Umbilical catheter placement is a routine neonatal emergency procedure that has large variability in technical methods. Commonly used methods are unable to accurately estimate insertion lengths, and X-rays cannot always identify malpositioned catheters. In clinical practice, the placement of umbilical lines takes time away from nursing during a critical transition period. Ultrasound is a safe and commonly used tool in the nursery for clinical management of sick neonates and has been shown to readily identify central catheter tip position. In this study, we sought to determine a more time-efficient and accurate means of umbilical catheter placement using bedside ultrasound.Study Design:This is a prospective, randomized, pilot trial of infants of any age or weight admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit who required umbilical catheter placement. Infants were excluded if they had congenital heart disease, abdominal wall defects or had a single umbilical artery. Catheters were placed using either the conventional method, with blinded evaluation of the catheters using ultrasound, or with ultrasound guidance, with input pertaining to catheter tip location. The number of X-rays required to confirm proper positioning, completion time points throughout the procedure and manipulations of the lines were recorded for both groups.Result:Ultrasound use decreased the time of line placement with an average saving of 64 min, as well as decreased the number of manipulations required and X-rays taken to place the catheters. The average X-ray time from request to viewing per X-ray was 40 min for all subjects.Conclusion:Ultrasound-guided umbilical catheter placement is a faster method to place catheters requiring fewer manipulations and X-rays when compared with conventional catheter placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The PI3K-mTOR (phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin kinase) pathway is activated in the majority of tumours, and there is interest in assessing whether inhibitors of PI3K or mTOR kinase have efficacy in treating cancer. Here, we define the effectiveness of specific mTOR (AZD8055) and PI3K (GDC-0941) inhibitors, currently in clinical trials, in treating spontaneous B-cell follicular lymphoma that develops in PTEN(+/-)LKB1(+/hypo) mice.Methods: The PTEN(+/-)LKB1(+/hypo) mice were administered AZD8055 or GDC-0941, and the volumes of B-cell follicular lymphoma were measured by MRI. Tumour samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry, immunoblot and flow cytometry.Results: The AZD8055 or GDC-0941 induced ∼40% reduction in tumour volume within 2 weeks, accompanied by ablation of phosphorylation of AKT, S6K and SGK (serum and glucocorticoid protein kinase) protein kinases. The drugs reduced tumour cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis and suppressed centroblast population. The AZD8055 or GDC-0941 treatment beyond 3 weeks caused a moderate additional decrease in tumour volume, reaching ∼50% of the initial volume after 6 weeks of treatment. Tumours grew back at an increased rate and displayed similar high grade and diffuse morphology as the control untreated tumours upon cessation of drug treatment.Conclusion: These results define the effects that newly designed and specific mTOR and PI3K inhibitors have on a spontaneous tumour model, which may be more representative than xenograft models frequently employed to assess effectiveness of kinase inhibitors. Our data suggest that mTOR and PI3K inhibitors would benefit treatment of cancers in which the PI3K pathway is inappropriately activated; however, when administered alone, may not cause complete regression of such tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Comm. Algebra 30 (3) (2002), 1475–1498, Bulman-Fleming and Kilp developed various notions of flatness of a right act A[sub S] over a monoid S that are based on the extent to which the functor A[sub S]$\otimes -$ preserves equalizers. In Semigroup Forum 65 (3) (2002), 428–449, Bulman-Fleming discussed in detail one of these notions, annihilator-flatness. The present paper is devoted to two more of these notions, weak equalizer-flatness and strong torsion-freeness. An act A[sub S] is called weakly equalizer-flat if the functor A[sub S]$\otimes -$ “almost” preserves equalizers of any two homomorphisms into the left act [sub S]S, and strongly torsion-free if this functor “almost” preserves equalizers of any two homomorphisms from [sub S]S into the Rees factor act [sub S](S/Sc), where c is any right cancellable element of S. (The adverb “almost” signifies that the canonical morphism provided by the universal property of equalizers may be only a monomorphism rather than an isomorphism.) From the definitions it is clear that flatness implies weak equalizer-flatness, which in turn implies annihilator-flatness, and it was known already that both of these implications are strict. A monoid is called right absolutely weakly equalizer-flat if all of its right acts are weakly equalizer-flat. In this paper we prove a result which implies that right PP monoids with central idempotents are absolutely weakly equalizer-flat. We also show that for a relatively large class of commutative monoids, right absolute equalizer-flatness and right absolute annihilator-flatness coincide. Finally, we provide examples showing that the implication between strong torsion-freeness and torsion-freeness is strict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monomeric precursor Zr-npropoxide was modified using chelating agents. The resulting sols were used to compose a consolidant sol that included coupling agents selected based on previous studies done by ourselves, the hydrophobic agent trimethyl methoxysilane (TMS) and mesitylene as drying control chemical additive (DCCA). The sols were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). In a later stage calcite powder was impregnated with the sols and studied by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy (DRIFT). According to the DRIFT results new bands appeared, that indicate interactions between the coupling agents and calcite. The Kratky plots obtained from the sols indicate that in all cases fiber-like oligomeric structures were obtained, having a fractal dimension value 1.60. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Comm. Algebra 30(3) (2002), 1475 1498, Bulman-Fleming and Kilp developed various notions of flatness of a right act A,[subS] over a monoid S that are based on the extent to which the functor A[subS] ⊗ -- preserves equalizers. The present paper discusses in detail one of these notions, annihilator-flatness. For s,t ∈ S, the set L[subs,t] = {u ∈ S: us = ut}, if it is non-empty, is alert ideal of S, called an annihilator ideal, and an act A[subS] is called annihilator-flat if the natural mapping A ⊗ L[subs,t] → A, a ⊗ u → au, is injective, for each s,t ∈ S. Every weakly flat right act is obviously annihilator-flat, but the converse is by no means true. A monoid is called right absolutely annihilator-flat (r.a.a-f.) if all of its right acts are annihilator-flat. Left annihilator-flatness is defined dually. In this paper, we present a description of right absolute annihilator-flatness that is intrinsic to S (that is, that makes no reference to tensor products or to S-acts). This result is then employed to show that all full transformation monoids are both left and right absolutely annihilator-flat. (In contrast, it is known that T[subx] is weakly right absolutely flat if and only if X is a singleton and weakly left absolutely flat if and only if X is finite.) A structural characterization is given of the r.a.a-f, completely (0-) simple semigroups and of the r.a.a-f, normal bands (with 1 adjoined). The r.a.a-f, commutative monoids are shown to be exactly those in which every principal ideal is pullback-flat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1971, Stenström published one of the first papers devoted to the problem of when, for a monoid S and a right S -act A[sub S] , the functor A\otimes - (from the category of left acts over S into the category of sets) has certain limit preservation properties. Attention at first focused on when this functor preserves pullbacks and equalizers but, since that time, a large number of related articles have appeared, most having to do with when this functor preserves monomorphisms of various kinds. All of these properties are often referred to as flatness properties of acts . Surprisingly, little attention has so far been paid to the obvious questions of when A[sub S] \otimes - preserves all limits, all finite limits, all products, or all finite products. The present article addresses these matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the performance of `in situ' messenger RNA hybridization on sections of human embryos and Wilms' tumors. Methods; Results; Discussion.

A fluorochrome microassay was used to investigate peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function in cattle. Glass-adherent PMNL were reacted with Staphylococcus aureus princubated in 20% bovine serum for 30, 60 and 90 min. Coverslips were stained with acridine organge (AO) followed by crystal violet to quench extracellular bacterial fluorescence. PMNL function was evaluated by counting the number of dead (stained red with AO) and live (stained green with AO) S. aureus contained within 100 PMNL. A phagocytic index was calculated as the average number of bacteria contained within PMNL. The percentage killing of S. aureus was calculated from the average proportion of S. aureus within PMNL that were dead. Six clinically normal Holstein calves, 3-4 months of age, were sampled on 6 consecutive days. PMNL phagocytosis and killing did not vary significantly ( p>0.05) among repeated samplings per calf. PMNL function increased with increasing time of incubation of PMNL with S. aureus. Means (± SD) for percentage killing were 46.7±13.1, 57.4±11.6, and 62.1±9.8% for 30, 60 and 90 min of reaction, respectively. Means (± SD) for the phagocytic index were 2.9±0.8, 3.6±1.0, and 4.2±1.1 bacteria/PMNL for 30, 60 and 90 min of reaction, respectively. PMNL function was determined in 30 normal cattle of various breeds, age and sex, and these values were pooled to provide normal values for PMNL function. When values for bovine clinical patients ( n=25) with various diagnoses were compared with normal values (defined by the mean ± 2SD for the 30 normal cattle) for PMNL function, only one patient was observed to exhibit PMNL hypofunction. A cow with disseminated intravascular coagulation in association with peracute coliform mastitis exhibited decreased PMNL killing capacity. Abnormal PMNL function was uncommon in the hospital population studied. Peripheral blood PMNL function was evaluated in lactating Holstein cows with ( n=15) or without ( n=15) chronic subclinical S. aureus mastitis. There was no significant ( p>0.05) difference in PMNL function among these cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerometer transduced sounds of swallowing in total laryngectomees did not show acoustical differences for liquid vs paste swallows, as are found in normals. Compared with normal swallows, tongue propulsion of the bolus in laryngectomee swallows occurred closer in time to a distinctive spectral change associated with bolus flow into the esophagus. Interpretation stressed the lack of mechanical traction from laryngeal elevation contributing to pharyngoesophageal sphincter opening, and the increased role of tongue propulsion in laryngectomee swallows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently we have created a mouse model of cystic fibrosis (CF) by insertional gene targeting to exon 10. In common with CF subjects, this model displays a low incidence of meconium ileus. This contrasts strikingly with the very high level of fatal intestinal obstruction in the three other CF mouse models so far described. We investigate here the molecular basis of this difference in phenotype. We show that the partial duplication consequent upon insertional gene targeting allows exon skipping and aberrant splicing to produce normal Cftr mRNA, but at levels greatly reduced compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, instead of the predicted mutant Cftr transcript, a novel mRNA is produced that utilizes cryptic splice sites in the disrupting plasmid sequence. However, we have previously shown that these mice display the ion transport defect characteristic of CF, and mutant animals can be distinguished from their normal littermates on this basis. Consistent with this, residual CFTR function has recently been observed for several 'mild' mutations in CF individuals who display pancreatic sufficiency but still develop lung disease. We conclude that (i) residual wild-type mRNA in the exon 10 insertional mutant mouse ameliorates the severity of the intestinal phenotype observed in the absolute 'null' CF mice, (ii) the presence of low-level residual wild-type Cftr mRNA does not correct the CF ion transport defect, and (iii) the long-term survival of this insertional mutant mouse provides the opportunity to address the factors important in development of lung disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA fragments containing varying lengths of the 5′ end of an orf virus early gene (ORF 3) and its associated promoter were introduced into sodium deoxycholate-solubilized vaccinia virus extracts capable of initiating transcription in vitro from vaccinia virus early promoters. After separation of the radiolabelled products of the reactions on a 5% polyacrylamide/7 M urea gel, discrete transcripts were detected the sizes of which were consistent with initiation of transcription from the orf virus early promoter. This is the first demonstration in a functional assay of the conservation of early transcriptional promoters between an orthopoxvirus and a parapoxvirus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Routine use of this new TL dating principle gives support to authenticity judgements made using the standard high temperature TL analysis [15, 16]. In the course of over 300 investigations (in addition to those described here) made at the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and History of Art, Oxford, at no time have the two TL methods appeared to be in conflict. In the broader field of archaeological dating it is anticipated that age determination will be possible for Mediaeval (and younger) pottery with an accuracy competitive with that possible by the radiocarbon method for such recent material [17]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Anaesthetists' Society Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Anaesthetists' Society Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Assessment of non-cardiac chest pain places a considerable burden on healthcare resources. The current practice of serial electrocardiographs (ECGs), serum creatinine phosphokinase and by pre-discharge exercise electrocardiography gives an average in-hospital stay of 3.7 days. This study assess “the use of a sensitive assay for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) to identify a low risk group for whom exercise ECG may not be indicated. Ninety-five patients with acute chest pain and with peak cTnI <0.1 ng/ml and a non-diagnostic resting ECG were studied. Patients were divided into two groups. Group one had normal range cTnI (<0.03 ng/ml). Group two had minimal elevation of cTnI (0.03 – 0.099 ng/ml). Average follow-up was 172 days. Nineteen patients had minimal elevation in cTnI of whom five developed significant ST shift on exercise and five had adverse events. No patient with a normal range cTnI had a positive stress test and none suffered an adverse event (p<0.00.1). CTnI in the normal range can identify patients with acute chest pain who have a negligible event rate and for whom exercise electrcardiography is not required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about the spectrum of pancreatic disorders in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Future space exploration missions will take humans far beyond low Earth orbit and require complete crew autonomy. The ability to provide anaesthesia will be important given the expected risk of severe medical events requiring surgery. Knowledge and experience of such procedures during space missions is currently extremely limited. Austere and isolated environments (such as polar bases or submarines) have been used extensively as test beds for spaceflight to probe hazards, train crews, develop clinical protocols and countermeasures for prospective space missions. We have conducted a literature review on anaesthesia in austere environments relevant to distant space missions. In each setting, we assessed how the problems related to the provision of anaesthesia (e.g., medical kit and skills) are dealt with or prepared for. We analysed how these factors could be applied to the unique environment of a space exploration mission. The delivery of anaesthesia will be complicated by many factors including space-induced physiological changes and limitations in skills and equipment. The basic principles of a safe anaesthesia in an austere environment (appropriate training, presence of minimal safety and monitoring equipment, etc.) can be extended to the context of a space exploration mission. Skills redundancy is an important safety factor, and basic competency in anaesthesia should be part of the skillset of several crewmembers. The literature suggests that safe and effective anaesthesia could be achieved by a physician during future space exploration missions. In a life-or-limb situation, non-physicians may be able to conduct anaesthetic procedures, including simplified general anaesthesia., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.