Bright Light Exposure During the Daytime Affects Circadian Rhythms of Urinary Melatonin and Salivary Immunoglobulin A

The effects of bright light exposure during the daytime on circadian urinary melatonin and salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) rhythms were investigated in an environmental chamber controlled at a global temperature of 27°C ± 0.2°C and a relative humidity of 60% ± 5%. Seven diurnally active healthy females were studied twice, in bright and dim light conditions. Bright light of 5000 lux was provided by placing fluorescent lamps about 1 meter in front of the subjects during the daytime exposure (06:30-19:30) from 06:30 on day 1 to 10:30 on day 3. Dim light was controlled at 200 lux, and the subjects were allowed to sleep from 22:30 to 06:30 under both light exposure conditions. Urine and saliva were collected at 4h intervals for assessing melatonin and IgA. Melatonin excretion in the urine was significantly greater during the nighttime (i.e., at 06:30 on day 1 and at 02:30 on day 2) after the bright light condition than during the dim light condition. Furthermore, the concentration and the amount of salivary IgA tended to be higher in the bright light than in the dim light condition, especially during the nighttime. Also, salivary IgA concentration and the total amount secreted in the saliva were significantly positively correlated with urinary melatonin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that bright light exposure during the daytime enhances the nocturnal melatonin increase and activates the mucosal immune response.     

Daytime Intermittent Bright Light Effects on Processing of Laterally Exposed Stimuli,Mood, and Light Perception

Little is known about intermittent bright light (IBL) exposure during the daytime on oscillations in human performance and mood. The aims of this study were to determine whether the applied regime of IBL can differentially influence the daily oscillations of processing of laterally exposed stimuli, as well as the daily course of alertness and affective state, and the participants' perception of light conditions. A counter‐balanced, within‐subject study design was applied. Performance and mood of 20 student volunteers were measured every 30 min starting at 08:00 h and ending at 20:30 h in IBL and ordinary room light (ORL) conditions. Near to statistical significance, effects of the IBL regime on performance (i.e., main effect on speed of verbal logical task, and interactive effect of light conditions and measurement time on daily oscillations in speed of processing of spatial tasks) and mood (i.e., interactive effect of bright light and measurement time on global vigor assessment) were found. An assessment of IBL conditions as significantly less comfortable and natural and more glaring when compared to ORL conditions draws attention to the importance of participants' perception of the light, which may affect the application of bright light in real life situations.     

补充蓝光对设施栽培油桃光合性能及糖酸积累的影响

以设施曙光油桃(Prunus persica cv. ‘Shuguang’)为试材, 设置补充蓝光处理, 测定了生育期内5个关键时期叶片的光合性能相关参数及果实的糖酸组分, 并观察了叶片气孔的变化情况。结果表明: 补充蓝光后油桃叶片的净光合速率提高, 叶绿素a和b含量增加, 叶绿素a/b显著降低, 叶面积增大; 气孔开放提前并较早达到最大开度, 且关闭延迟。叶片中检测到的主要同化物为果糖、葡萄糖和山梨醇, 以山梨醇为主; 果实中则为果糖、葡萄糖、山梨醇和蔗糖, 成熟期以蔗糖为主。补充蓝光处理的叶片中3种同化物积累较少, 而果实中总糖和蔗糖含量较高, 表明蓝光处理提高了光合同化物从叶片到果实的转运转化能力。草酸是叶片和果实中主要的有机酸, 补充蓝光处理的果实中有机酸含量显著降低, 糖酸与对照相比提高了30.5%。硬核期后是蓝光处理提高果实糖酸比的关键时期, 此时补充蓝光可改善设施油桃光合性能及果实品质, 这一技术措施有望应用到设施果树的栽培中。     

Association Between Mobile Phone Radiation Exposure and the Secretion of Melatonin and Cortisol,Two Markers of the Circadian System: A Review

The extremely important use of mobile phones in the world, at all ages of life, including children and adolescents, leads to significant exposure of these populations to electromagnetic waves of radiofrequency. The question, therefore, arises as to whether exposure to these radiofrequencies (RFs) could lead to deleterious effects on the body's biological systems and health. In the current article, we review the effects, in laboratory animals and humans, of exposure to RF on two hormones considered as endocrine markers: melatonin, a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland and cortisol, a glucocorticosteroid synthesized by the adrenal glands. These two hormones are also considered as markers of the circadian system. The literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, Web of Sciences (ISI Web of Knowledge), Google Scholar, and EMF Portal. From this review on RF effects on cortisol and melatonin, it appears that scientific papers in the literature are conflicting, showing effects, no effects, or inconclusive data. This implies the need for additional research on higher numbers of subjects and with protocols perfectly controlled with follow‐up studies to better determine whether the chronic effect of RF on the biological functioning and health of users exists (or not). Bioelectromagnetics. 2021;42:5–17. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society     

蓝光对水稻幼苗生长及内源激素水平的影响

研究表明：与白光对照相比,蓝光明显抑制水稻幼苗的生长,并使幼苗体内的自由态IAA、GA1、玉米素和二氢玉米素含量下降,ABA含量和乙烯释放量则明显增加。说明蓝光对水稻幼苗生长的影响与其体内激素状况有关。     

黑暗条件下褪黑素对栀子叶片类黄酮含量及相关基因表达水平的影响

以栀子叶片为材料,通过转录组测序与液相色谱技术来研究黑暗条件下褪黑素对栀子叶片类黄酮含量及相关基因表达水平的影响,结果显示褪黑素不仅延缓了栀子叶片的黄化,而且主要通过抑制类黄酮等生物合成途径上的相关基因表达,进而减少类黄酮积累来延缓叶片黄化,这对黑暗胁迫下延缓栀子叶片的黄化提供实际指导,也为利用褪黑素对叶片黄化的控制与延缓提供了借鉴与参考。     

低温弱光下外源褪黑素对黄瓜幼苗生长及抗氧化系统的影响

以黄瓜品种‘津优4号’为材料,利用人工气候箱进行低温弱光处理(昼/夜,18℃/10℃),研究外源褪黑素(MT)对低温胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和抗氧化系统等生理指标的影响。结果显示:低温弱光下,与对照相比,外源褪黑素处理显著提高了黄瓜幼苗株高、茎粗、植株鲜重和干重,叶绿素和根系活力分别显著提高了13.3%和18.8%,抗氧化物质GSH及ASA的含量分别显著增加了39.3%和24.7%,保护酶SOD、POD、CAT、APX活性均显著升高;同时,外源褪黑素处理还显著提高了黄瓜叶片质膜及液泡膜H+-ATP酶的活性,从而使黄瓜幼苗叶片MDA含量和电解质渗漏率分别显著降低了28.7%和29.7%。研究表明,低温弱光下外源褪黑素可通过提高黄瓜幼苗保护酶活性、抗氧化物质的含量、细胞膜ATP酶活性等来降低质膜过氧化水平,保持细胞膜的完整性和功能,从而增强黄瓜幼苗对低温弱光的适应性,维持其正常生长,并以200μmol·L-1褪黑素处理效果较好。     

Effects of a chronic reduction of short-wavelength light input on melatonin and sleep patterns in humans: Evidence for adaptation

Light is an important environmental stimulus for the entrainment of the circadian clock and for increasing alertness. The intrinsically photosensitive ganglion cells in the retina play an important role in transferring this light information to the circadian system and they are elicited in particular by short-wavelength light. Exposure to short wavelengths is reduced, for instance, in elderly people due to yellowing of the ocular lenses. This reduction may be involved in the disrupted circadian rhythms observed in aged subjects. Here, we tested the effects of reduced blue light exposure in young healthy subjects (n?=?15) by using soft orange contact lenses (SOCL). We showed (as expected) that a reduction in the melatonin suppressing effect of light is observed when subjects wear the SOCL. However, after chronic exposure to reduced (short wavelength) light for two consecutive weeks we observed an increase in sensitivity of the melatonin suppression response. The response normalized as if it took place under a polychromatic light pulse. No differences were found in the dim light melatonin onset or in the amplitude of the melatonin rhythms after chronic reduced blue light exposure. The effects on sleep parameters were limited. Our results demonstrate that the non-visual light system of healthy young subjects is capable of adapting to changes in the spectral composition of environmental light exposure. The present results emphasize the importance of considering not only the short-term effects of changes in environmental light characteristics.     

Eye Tracking,Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory

Although rises in cortisol can benefit memory consolidation, as can sleep soon after encoding, there is currently a paucity of literature as to how these two factors may interact to influence consolidation. Here we present a protocol to examine the interactive influence of cortisol and sleep on memory consolidation, by combining three methods: eye tracking, salivary cortisol analysis, and behavioral memory testing across sleep and wake delays. To assess resting cortisol levels, participants gave a saliva sample before viewing negative and neutral objects within scenes. To measure overt attention, participants’ eye gaze was tracked during encoding. To manipulate whether sleep occurred during the consolidation window, participants either encoded scenes in the evening, slept overnight, and took a recognition test the next morning, or encoded scenes in the morning and remained awake during a comparably long retention interval. Additional control groups were tested after a 20 min delay in the morning or evening, to control for time-of-day effects. Together, results showed that there is a direct relation between resting cortisol at encoding and subsequent memory, only following a period of sleep. Through eye tracking, it was further determined that for negative stimuli, this beneficial effect of cortisol on subsequent memory may be due to cortisol strengthening the relation between where participants look during encoding and what they are later able to remember. Overall, results obtained by a combination of these methods uncovered an interactive effect of sleep and cortisol on memory consolidation.     

Effects of Filtering Visual Short Wavelengths During Nocturnal Shiftwork on Sleep and Performance

Circadian phase resetting is sensitive to visual short wavelengths (450–480?nm). Selectively filtering this range of wavelengths may reduce circadian misalignment and sleep impairment during irregular light-dark schedules associated with shiftwork. We examined the effects of filtering short wavelengths (<480?nm) during night shifts on sleep and performance in nine nurses (five females and four males; mean age?±?SD: 31.3?±?4.6 yrs). Participants were randomized to receive filtered light (intervention) or standard indoor light (baseline) on night shifts. Nighttime sleep after two night shifts and daytime sleep in between two night shifts was assessed by polysomnography (PSG). In addition, salivary melatonin levels and alertness were assessed every 2?h on the first night shift of each study period and on the middle night of a run of three night shifts in each study period. Sleep and performance under baseline and intervention conditions were compared with daytime performance on the seventh day shift, and nighttime sleep following the seventh daytime shift (comparator). On the baseline night PSG, total sleep time (TST) (p?<?0.01) and sleep efficiency (p?=?0.01) were significantly decreased and intervening wake times (wake after sleep onset [WASO]) (p?=?0.04) were significantly increased in relation to the comparator night sleep. In contrast, under intervention, TST was increased by a mean of 40?min compared with baseline, WASO was reduced and sleep efficiency was increased to levels similar to the comparator night. Daytime sleep was significantly impaired under both baseline and intervention conditions. Salivary melatonin levels were significantly higher on the first (p?<?0.05) and middle (p?<?0.01) night shifts under intervention compared with baseline. Subjective sleepiness increased throughout the night under both conditions (p?<?0.01). However, reaction time and throughput on vigilance tests were similar to daytime performance under intervention but impaired under baseline on the first night shift. By the middle night shift, the difference in performance was no longer significant between day shift and either of the two night shift conditions, suggesting some adaptation to the night shift had occurred under baseline conditions. These results suggest that both daytime and nighttime sleep are adversely affected in rotating-shift workers and that filtering short wavelengths may be an approach to reduce sleep disruption and improve performance in rotating-shift workers. (Author correspondence: casper@lunenfeld.ca)     

The Effect on Body Temperature and Melatonin of A 39-H Constant Routine with Two Different Light Levels at Nighttime

Eight healthy subjects were studied during 39-h spans (from 07:00 on one day until 22:00 the second) in which they remained awake. During one experiment, subjects were exposed to 100 lux of light between 18:00 and 8:00, and during a second experiment, they were exposed to 1000 lux during the same time span. Throughout the daytime period, they were exposed to normal daylight (1500 lux or more). The nighttime 1000-lux light treatment suppressed the melatonin metabolite aMT6s, while the 100 lux treatment did not. On the treatment day, the 1000 lux, in comparison to the 100 lux, light treatment resulted in both an elevated temperature minimum and a delay in its clock-time occurrence overnight. No real circadian phase shift in the temperature, urinary melatonin, or Cortisol rhythms was detected after light treatment. This study confirmed that nocturnal exposure to lower light intensities is capable of modifying circadian variables more than previously estimated. The immediate effects of all-night light treatment are essentially not different from those of evening light. This may be important if bright light is used to improve alertness of night workers. Whether subsequent daytime alertness and sleep recovery are affected by the protocol used in our study remains to be determined.     

Melatonin in the Regulation of Annual Testicular Events in Carp Catla catla: Evidence from the Studies on the Effects of Exogenous Melatonin,Continuous Light,and Continuous Darkness

The physiological significance of melatonin in the regulation of annual testicular events in a major carp Catla catla was evaluated through studies on the effects of graded dose (25, 50, or 100 µg/100 g body wt.) of melatonin exogenously administered for different durations (1, 15, or 30 days) and manipulation of the endogenous melatonin system by exposing the fish to constant darkness (DD) or constant light (LL) for 30 days. An identical experimental schedule was followed during the preparatory (February–March), pre‐spawning (April–May), spawning (July–August), and post‐spawning (September–October) phases of the annual cycle. Irrespective of the reproductive status of the carp, LL suppressed while DD increased the mid‐day and mid‐night values of melatonin compared to respective controls. Influences of exogenous melatonin varied in relation to the dose and duration of treatment and the reproductive status of the carp. However, testicular response to exogenous melatonin (at 100 µg, for 30 days) and DD in each reproductive phase was almost identical. Notably, precocious testicular maturation occurred in both DD and melatonin‐injected fish during the preparatory phase and in LL carps during the pre‐spawning phase. In contrast, testicular functions in both the melatonin‐treated and DD fish were inhibited during the pre–spawning and spawning phases, while the testes did not respond to any treatment during the post‐spawning phase. In conclusion, this study provided the first experimental evidence that melatonin plays a significant role in the regulation of annual testicular events in a sub‐tropical surface‐dwelling carp Catla catla, but the influence of this pineal hormone on the seasonal activity of testis varies in relation to the reproductive status of the concerned fish.     

蓝光对绿豆下胚轴愈伤组织形成和生长过程中蛋白质代谢的影响

蓝光、白光和黑暗对绿豆下胚轴愈伤组织形成和生长过程中蛋白质代谢的影响不同。培养后３～１８ ｄ ,蓝光处理材料的可溶性蛋白质含量明显高于白光处理,更高于黑暗培养的材料。蓝光和白光明显促进３Ｈ亮氨酸掺入蛋白质,而蓝光和白光处理后游离氨基酸含量与黑暗对照相比,下降时间早,幅度大。在培养过程中,蛋白酶活性的变化与游离氨基酸相似。蛋白质合成抑制剂环己酰亚胺（ＣＨＭ） 抑制愈伤组织生长,其中以蓝光最大,白光次之,黑暗最小。在培养基中加入ＣＨＭ 愈早,抑制程度愈大。实验表明,ＣＨＭ 抑制愈伤组织蛋白质合成,也是以蓝光最甚。由此可见,蓝光促进绿豆下胚轴愈伤组织的形成、生长和蛋白质合成。     

蓝光和蔗糖对拟南芥花色素苷积累和CHS基因表达的影响

以在20μmol m^-2s^-1白光下生长13d的拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana,Landsbcrg生态型)幼苗为材料,采用测定叶片花色素苷含量和Northern blot方法,研究蓝光与蔗糖在诱导植物花色素苷积累及相关基因表达中的作用。结果表明：蓝光处理后,叶片花色素苷积累随光强和照光时间的延长而增加,突变体hy4叶片的花色素苷含量明显低于野生型(WT),说明隐花色素1(cry1)是蓝光诱导花色素苷积累的主要光受体：WT中苯基苯乙烯酮合酶基因(CHS)的表达受蓝光诱导,处理4h即有表达,8h达到最高,之后逐渐下降;蓝光不能诱导突变体hy4中CHS基因的表达,说明cry1介导蓝光诱导CHS基因的表达。培养基中不含蔗糖,削弱了蓝光诱导的拟南芥叶片花色素苷的积累,CHS基因表达也受到抑制。蔗糖不仅作为碳源参与蓝光诱导的花色素苷积累,还可能作为信号分子参与蓝光诱导的CHS表达。     

Effects of Short-Term Nocturnal Cortisol Replacement on Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Primary or Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: A Pilot Study

Cortisol replacement in patients with adrenal insufficiency usually consists of hydrocortisone (HC) given orally during day time. Due to the short half-life of hydrocortisone, cortisol levels between midnight and early morning are very low in contrast to the physiological rise of cortisol serum levels during this time. We investigated whether short-term cortisol replacement during the night improves cognitive function and well-being in these patients. Fourteen patients with adrenal insufficiency were put on HC infusion between midnight and 8 a.m. They subsequently underwent neurocognitive testing to measure intellectual functioning, concentration, memory and fine motor skills. Quality of life and mood were also evaluated. All tests were repeated after 2–4 weeks during usual oral glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Blood samples were taken for cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine measurement. With the exception of the digit symbol test with better scoring in the oral group (p = 0.005) there were no significant differences in neurocognitive testing, vegetative functions and quality of life on the two occasions. However, a higher cortisol level was associated with a worse performance in short-term memory. Plasma epinephrine concentration was subnormal in both groups, but increased only after intravenous hydrocortisone replacement. Mimicking the physiological rise in cortisol secretion during the night in this pilot study did neither significantly affect quality of life nor cognitive performance and vegetative functions. There was no improvement in general well being. Hydrocortisone infusion during night time might improve adrenomedullary reserve in patients with adrenal insufficiency.     

红蓝光质对芹菜碳氮代谢及其关键酶活性的影响

为了探明红蓝光对芹菜生长的调控机理,以‘津南实芹1号’为试材,白光(W)处理为对照(CK),研究红蓝LED光质对芹菜碳氮代谢及其相关酶活性的影响。结果表明：白+红(WR)和白+红+蓝(WRB)处理芹菜的光合速率(Pn)及RuBP羧化酶(RuBPCase)活性显著高于CK,白+蓝(WB)处理的Pn低于CK,但RuBPCase活性高于CK。各处理相比,碳代谢产物多以WR处理的最高, WRB处理的其次, WB处理的最低。WR处理的蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)活性显著高于CK,蔗糖合成酶(SS)活性明显低于CK;WB处理的SS活性较高。WR处理的总氮含量及谷氨酰胺酶(GS)活性显著高于CK,而蛋白质和氨基酸含量明显低于CK; WB处理的蛋白质含量较高,氨基酸含量较低,硝酸还原酶(NR)、GS和谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性明显高于CK;WRB处理的总氮和蛋白质含量及NR和GS活性均高于CK。可见,增加红光比例可促进芹菜碳的同化、转化及氮的吸收,加速物质积累,但对蛋白质的合成有一定的抑制作用;增加蓝光比例可使芹菜氮代谢增强,但碳的积累代谢下降,因此叶柄伸长受抑,单株产量降低。     

Effects of Melatonin on Growth,Physiology and Gene Expression in Rice Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress

Melatonin (MLT) is a hormonal substance found in many organisms and can improve plant stress resistance. In this study, the japonica rice variety Y32 and indica rice variety NJ6 were cultivated in hydroponics under different concentrations of CdCl₂ at the two-leaf stage. The growth, physiological and biochemical responses of the seedlings and the expression of cadmium (Cd)-related genes under exogenous melatonin (MLT) treatment were assessed. The results indicated that Cd stress destroyed the dynamic balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and removal, resulting in ROS accumulation, membrane lipid peroxidation, and impaired growth and development. Following the application of exogenous MLT to rice seedlings, increases in plant biomass including both underground and above-ground areas were observed. MLT also scavenged the inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in a concentration dependent manner in response to Cd stress. Catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) expression also decreased following MLT treatment. Amongst the six Cd-related genes assessed, five genes were down-regulated and one was up-regulated in response to MLT treatment. Taken together, these data demonstrate that MLT improves the resilience of rice seedlings at the biochemical, physiological, and molecular levels, and diminishes the damage caused by Cd stress.     

叶酸、甲钴胺对脑血管病患者同型半胱氨酸水平及认知障碍疗效观察

目的:探讨叶酸、甲钴胺对脑血管病患者血清同型半胱氨酸水平、以及认知障碍的疗效。方法:112例脑血管病患者,用随机表法,将患者分为三个叶酸组、甲钴胺组和联合治疗(叶酸+甲钴胺)组。叶酸组口服叶酸5 mg(1次/天)。甲钴胺组予以甲钴胺口服500μg(3次/天)。联合治疗组联合用药,连续口服6个月。评价治疗前后的血清同型半胱氨酸及认知障碍评分。结果:治疗后,三组间血清同型半胱氨酸水平差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。联合治疗组血清同型半胱氨酸水平明显低于叶酸组和甲钴胺组(P0.05)。三组间认知障碍MMSE评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。甲钴胺组和联合治疗组治疗前后MMSE评分差异有统计意义(P0.05),但叶酸组治疗前后MMSE评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。联合治疗组认知障碍MMSE评分水平水平明显高于叶酸组和甲钴胺组(P0.05)。结论:叶酸联合甲钴胺能够改善脑血管病患者认知障碍评分,降低血清同型半胱氨酸水平,但叶酸对认知障碍无明显疗效。     

持续低温弱光对黄瓜叶片气体交换、叶绿素荧光猝灭和吸收光能分配的影响

持续常温弱光(25℃/18℃,l00umol m-2 s-1)、低温弱光(12℃/12℃,100 umol m-2 s-1和7℃/7℃,l00μmolm-2s-1)均导致黄瓜生长减慢或停滞、叶绿素含量、气孔导度和净光合速率、光合电子传递速率下降以及胞间CO2浓度上升.常温弱光和12℃弱光处理对光系统II的最大光化学效率Fv/Fm无显著影响,而7℃弱光处理导致Fv/Fm的可逆性下降.常温弱光和7℃、12℃弱光处理均导致了光化学反应速率的降低以及天线热耗散和反应中心过剩能量的增加.在胁迫后,12℃弱光0比7℃弱光更有利于植株光合功能的恢复.     

Effects of Light Gaps and Litter Removal on the Seedling Performance of Six African Timber Species1

Valuable timber tree species frequently show poor regeneration after selective logging in tropical forests. Small size of logging gaps, lack of soil disturbance, and limited seed availability have each been blamed for observed regeneration failures. We investigated seed germination and seedling performance using a split‐plot factorial design involving light availability and litter removal for six Central African timber tree species, hypothesizing that canopy gaps and litter removal would improve seedling establishment, and that less shade‐tolerant species would show stronger responses to both factors. Contrary to our expectations, significantly more germinants established on intact litter than on exposed mineral soil 3 mo after seeding. After 18 mo, seedling survival, height and diameter growth, leaf area, and rooting depth were all much higher in gap plots than in the understory for all species, with the exception of Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, a highly shade‐tolerant species whose survival was higher in the understory. Leaf production was negatively influenced by litter removal in the least shade‐tolerant species, Nauclea diderrichii, with weak or positive effects in other species. G. dewevrei, while displaying a low‐light threshold for growth, exhibited a surprisingly high growth response to increasing light comparable to more shade‐intolerant species, a response that may help explain its local competitive dominance in the region. Due to the rapid closure of small gaps, we suggest that shade‐intolerant species such as N. diderrichii, Khaya anthotheca, and Entandrophragma utile might benefit from more intensive silvicultural practices that create larger canopy gaps.