PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY EVALUATION OF TARRAGON AND THYME GROWN UNDER ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

The research aimed at evaluation of productivity and quality of tarragon and thyme medicinal material was carried out on hydroponic installations during 2019-2020. The objects under study were Monarkh and Gudvin tarragon varieties as well as Medok and Zmeyka thyme varieties. The plants were grown in mineral cotton substratum. Fertikea Hydro complex fertiliser with microelements and calcium nitrate were used. The growing conditions: ambient temperature +22…+25℃, solution temperature +20℃, ambient humidity 55…65%. Experiment regimens: growing under white LEDs (luminous flux 8000 lm, color temperature 4000 K, PPF 165 mkmol/s/m2) and color LEDs (combination of red, blue and white LEDs (32:16:32), luminous flux 6573 lm, PPF 143 mkmol/s/m2), for 16-hour light regimen. We found that thyme grown on a vertical hydroponic system increase its biomass 2.0…3.5 times compared to the conventional growing. The highest productivity of Zmeyka thyme variety is reached under white light, while for both the tarragon varieties and Medok thyme variety it is reached under coloured LEDs. Chlorophyll-a content in green biomass is a little higher under coloured LEDs for Zmeyka thyme variety and Gudvin tarragon variety, while the reverse trend is observed for Monarkh tarragon variety. All the varieties show higher chlorophyll-b content under coloured LEDs. Combined chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b content increases under coloured LEDs for the thyme varieties and Gudvin tarragon variety. Monarkh tarragon variety shows the highest combined chlorophyll content under white LEDs. Carotenoid concentration in Medok thyme variety and Monarkh tarragon variety is higher under white LEDs and it is higher under color LEDs for the rest of the varieties. Flavonoids in the studied varieties accumulate statistically better (1.5…3.0 times) under white LEDs

Quasi-Experimental study of effects of lighting on rest, activity and melatonin in postpartum women

ABSTRACT Objectives: to compare the parameters of the activity/rest cycle of early postpartum breastfeeding women under a controlled and uncontrolled long wavelength ray light regimen. Methods: quasi-experimental study with breastfeeding women and their babies during postnatal rooming-in, São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were allocated to either an experimental (intervention) or a comparison group. The intervention involved exposure of the woman in a controlled room with artificial long wavelength ray light at night. Each woman’s level of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin at 24 hours and activity/rest times was analyzed. Results: the mean activity/rest times of women in the experimental and comparison groups were similar. The mean percentages of total load of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin during the day and night were similar (p=0.09). At 24 hours, the experimental group presented a significantly lower mean percentage of total load compared to the comparison group (p=0.04). Conclusions: women who stayed in the room with long-wavelength artificial light showed no difference in activity/rest and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels in the early postpartum period.

Maintaining intestinal microflora balance in heat-stressed broilers using dietary creeping wood sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) powder and chromium (chromium picolinate)

This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary creeping wood sorrel powder (Oxalis corniculata) and chromium supplemented to broilers (1-42 days) exposed to heat stress, on their performance and on the intestinal and caecal microbiota.Area of study: Ilfov, RomaniaMaterial and methods: The feeding trial was conducted on 60, day-old Cobb 500 broilers, divided equally in two groups, each group with six replicates (5 chicks/ replicate). The broilers were housed in an experimental hall at 32° C constant temperature and 23h light regimen. Unlike the dietary control diet (C), the experimental diet (E) was supplemented with 1% creeping wood sorrel powder and 20 mg chromium picolinate/ kg premix. One bird from each replication was slaughtered on days 28 and 42, and samples of caecal and intestinal content were collected for bacteriological analysis.Main results: The dietary creeping wood sorrel powder and chromium supplements for heat-stressed broilers had no significant influence on their growth performance (1-42 d). Overall, E diet had a beneficial effect on the balance of the caecal microflora; however, in the intestine, E diet had a positive influence on the balance of the intestinal microflora, only for the samples collected at 28 days.Research highlights: Dietary creeping wood sorrel powder and chromium supplements can be an efficient tool for maintaining a proper balance of intestinal microflora in heat-stressed broilers.

Light regimen-induced variability of photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds in Luzula sylvatica from Arcto-Alpine tundra

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different in situ light regimen on ecophysiological parameters of Luzula sylvatica leaves. Plants of L. sylvatica grown under natural sunny and shade conditions in arcto-alpine tundra were analyzed with respect to their leaf anatomy, content of photosynthetic pigments, UV absorbing compounds and phenanthrenoid compounds. Relationship between chlorophyll concentrations (Chla+b) and SPAD values was determined for sun and shade leaves measured repeatedly within summer and autumn seasons 2019 and 2020. Pooled data showed curvilinear Chla+b to SPAD relationship with the highest Chla+b and SPAD values found for shade leaves. Sun leaves had higher UV-B absorbing compounds contents than shade ones. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed significant amount of soluble flavonoids in Luzula sylvatica leaves, amongst others the flavone-luteolin and its derivatives (e.g. tentatively identified luteolin-methyl-glucoside and luteolin-glucoside). The accumulation of luteolin based compounds in sun acclimated leaves is also plausible explanation for the higher antioxidant activity determined in sun leaf extraxts. Such response of flavonoid metabolism may help L.S. to cope with excessive-light stress through UV-attenuation mechanism and ROS scavanging. Additionally, phenanthrenoid compounds contents in L. sylvatica leaves were determined. Altogether, 9 phenanthrenoid compounds were identified by HPLC-HRMS. Their content was markedly different (up to the factor of 5) between sun and shade leaves of L.sylvatica.

PECULIAIRITIES OF THE FUNCTIONING CIRCADIAN ORGANIZATION THE ION-REGULATING FUNCTION OF KIDNEY UNDER THE CONDITION OF PINEAL GLAND HYPERFUNCTION OF THE INFLUENCE NITROGEN MONOXIDE SYNTHESIS BLOCKADE

The aim of our work was to investigate the peculiarities of the functioning circadian organization the ion-regulating function of pineal gland hyperfunction of the influence nitrogen monoxide synthesis blockade. Materials and methods: The experiments were conducted on 72 mature non-linear albino male rats with their body mass 0,15-0,18 kg. The control group included animals (n=36) kept under conditions of usual light regimen (12.00L:12.00D) during 7 days. The experimental group included animals (n=36) injected with N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) in the dose of 20 mg/kg during 7 days under conditions of continuous absolute darkness (12.00D:12.00D). On the 8th day the animals were exposed to 5% water load with heated to room temperature water supplied and the parameters of the kidney ion-regulating function under conditions of forced diuresis were investigated. Results and conclusions: The obtained results of the performed blockade nitrogen monoxide (NO) synthesis in conditions of hyperfunction of the brain epiphysis allow to conclude that the daily mean of the rate of excretion of sodium ions decreases in comparison with the animals that were kept under pineal gland (PG) hyperfunction of the filtration fraction and reabsorption of sodium ions are reduced compared to the control animals and rats which were kept under conditions of PG hyperfunction and accompanied by stable indicators of the concentration the specified cation in the blood plasma during the observation period. The action of the blockade NO synthesis in conditions of PG hyperfunction leads to a decrease in the distal transport bridge of sodium ions with a maximum in the day and night intervals of the day the position of the acro- and batiphase of the rhythm changes as compared with the control animals.

BMAL1 knockout macaque monkeys display reduced sleep and psychiatric disorders

Circadian disruption is a risk factor for metabolic, psychiatric and age-related disorders, and non-human primate models could help to develop therapeutic treatments. Here, we report the generation of BMAL1 knockout cynomolgus monkeys for circadian-related disorders by CRISPR/Cas9 editing of monkey embryos. These monkeys showed higher nocturnal locomotion and reduced sleep, which was further exacerbated by a constant light regimen. Physiological circadian disruption was reflected by the markedly dampened and arrhythmic blood hormonal levels. Furthermore, BMAL1-deficient monkeys exhibited anxiety and depression, consistent with their stably elevated blood cortisol, and defective sensory processing in auditory oddball tests found in schizophrenia patients. Ablation of BMAL1 up-regulated transcriptional programs toward inflammatory and stress responses, with transcription networks associated with human sleep deprivation, major depressive disorders, and aging. Thus, BMAL1 knockout monkeys are potentially useful for studying the physiological consequences of circadian disturbance, and for developing therapies for circadian and psychiatric disorders.

Dietary Willow Bark Extract for Broilers Reared Under Heat Stress

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted on 60, Cobb 500 broilers (14 days), assigned to 2 groups (C, E) housed in an experimental hall (32° C, 23 h light regimen). Compared to the conventional diet C, the experimental diet (E) included 1% white willow bark extract (WBE). At 42 days of age, 6 blood samples /group were collected and 6 broilers/ group were slaughtered and caecal content was collected. The dietary WBE didn’t influence broiler performance. The serum concentrations of glycaemia, cholesterol and triglycerides were lower (P <0.05) in E group than in C group. E broilers had the lowest count (P<0.05) of Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and staphylococci colony forming units in the caecal content. The inclusion of WBE (1%) in the diet of broilers reared at 32° C had an hypocholesterolemiant and hypoglycaemic effect and reduced the pathogenic bacteria in the caecum.

Growth Profiles, Nutrient composition and Pigments Analysis of Dunaliella salina strain San Quintin

Some microalgae are recognized for producing pigments and other metabolites with biotechnological importance, particularly, <i>Dunaliella salina</i> is a remarkable one. These kind of compounds are used as food and have a great industrial potential. The pigment industry comprises a millionaire market value, being β-carotene one of the most profitable one. In this study we describe the morphology, molecular identification, growth dynamics, proximal composition, nutrients and pigment content of a recently isolated <i>Dunaliella salina</i> strain (SQ) under different salinity/light conditions, in order to highlight its remarkable properties for biotech/biomed industry. <i>D. salina</i> SQ reached the highest densities (1.07-1.25 cell mL-1 x106) at low salinities (100-500 mM NaCl) under continuous light regimen (24:0 h Light:Dark). Neoxanthin (Neo) and violaxanthin (Viol) were the most abundant pigments when exposed to 500 mM NaCl (18:6 h Light:Dark). Furthermore, this peculiar strain produces other compounds with high industrial value.Perfiles de crecimiento, composición de nutrientes y análisis de pigmentos de <i>Dunaliella salina</i> cepa San Quintín Algunas microalgas son reconocidas por producir pigmentos y otros metabolitos con importancia biotecnológica, en particular, <i>Dunaliella salina</i> es una de las más notables. Este tipo de compuestos se usan como alimento y tienen potencial industrial. La industria del pigmento tiene un valor de mercado millonario, siendo el β-caroteno uno de los más rentables. En este estudio se describe la morfología, la dinámica de crecimiento, composición proximal, composición de nutrientes y contenido de pigmentos de una cepa de <i>Dunaliella salina</i> (SQ) recientemente aislada. La identificación de la especie se corroboró mediante técnicas moleculares. Se cultivó a <i>D. salina</i> bajo diferentes condiciones de salinidad y luz, con el objetivo de resaltar sus propiedades para la industria biotecnológica y biomédica. <i>D. salina</i> SQ alcanzó las densidades más altas (1.07-1.25 células mL-1 x106) a salinidades bajas (NaCl 100 y 500 mM) en un régimen de luz continua. La neoxantina (Neo) y la violaxantina (Viol) fueron los pigmentos más abundantes en 500 mM NaCl y un ciclo de luz: oscuridad 18: 6 h. Además, esta peculiar cepa produce otros compuestos con alto valor industrial.