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To conduct crewed simulation experiments of bioregenerative life support systems on the ground is a critical step for human life support in deep-space exploration. An artificial closed ecosystem named Lunar Palace 1 was built through integrating efficient higher plant cultivation, animal protein production, urine nitrogen recycling, and bioconversion of solid waste. Subsequently, a 105-day, multicrew, closed integrative bioregenerative life support systems experiment in Lunar Palace 1 was carried out from February through May 2014. The results show that environmental conditions as well as the gas balance between O and CO in the system were well maintained during the 105-day experiment. A total of 21 plant species in this system kept a harmonious coexistent relationship, and 20.5% nitrogen recovery from urine, 41% solid waste degradation, and a small amount of insect in situ production were achieved. During the 105-day experiment, oxygen and water were recycled, and 55% of the food was regenerated. Key Words: Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS)-Space agriculture-Space life support-Waste recycle-Water recycle. Astrobiology 16, 925-936.

As a consequence of the increasing importance of crop in Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS), there is an interest in enhancing both the productivity and quality of wheat. Lighting systems for growing wheat need to be lightweight, reliable and durable. Light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) have these characteristics. Previous studies demonstrated that the combination of red and blue lights was an effective light source for several crops. Yet the appearance of plant in this kind of lighting was purplish grey, and other problems were also accompanied. The addition of other spectra LEDs made better growth and also offer a better visual experience to bring psychological benefit to the crews. The objective of this study was to investigate the influences of different spectra combinations on the wheat growth, photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant capacity and biomass yield and quality during their life cycle. Four types of different spectra combinations with the same intensity were employed: a single red light (R), a red–blue light (R + B, R : B = 4 : 1), a red–white light (R + W, R : W = 4 : 1) and a white light (W). The results showed that the wheat cultivated in the R + W light was characterized by highest harvest index and lowest lignin in inedible biomass, which was more beneficial to recycle substances in the processes of the environment regeneration. The data were comparable to those under W condition in terms of straw height, relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll concentration, antioxidant capacity, thousand kernel weight (TKW) and soluble sugar concentration. Wheat was sensitive to light quality which significantly affected those indices of growth and physiology, especially at earing and flowering stages.

Since the discovery of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in the 1960s, unknown toxicity, cost and the ethical hurdles of research in humans have hindered the translation of these NPs to clinical use. In this work, we demonstrate that Pt NPs with protein coronas are generated in vivo in human blood when a patient is treated with cisplatin. These self-assembled Pt NPs form rapidly, accumulate in tumors, and remain in the body for an extended period of time. Additionally, the Pt NPs are safe for use in humans and can act as anti-cancer agents to inhibit chemotherapy-resistant tumor growth by consuming intracellular glutathione and activating apoptosis. The tumor inhibitory activity is greatly amplified when the Pt NPs are loaded in vitro with the chemotherapeutic drug, daunorubicin, and the formulation is effective even in daunorubicin-resistant models. These in vivo-generated metal NPs represent a biocompatible drug delivery platform for chemotherapy resistant tumor treatment.