Effect of daily light exposure on sleep in polar regions: A meta-analysis.

Although studies have shown that light affects sleep in polar populations, the sample size of most studies is small. This meta-analysis provides the first systematic review of the effects of summer glare, spring and fall moderate daylight, and artificial lighting on general sleep problems (sleep duration, efficiency, and delay). This analysis included 18 studies involving 986 participants. We calculated the random effect size via an evidence-based meta-analysis that analysed the effect of bright/auxiliary light on sleep and the effect of three different types of light on sleep compared with conventional light. There was no significant correlation between specific light types and sleep duration. Intense summer light has a negative effect on sleep time and efficiency. Moderate, natural light in spring and autumn effectively delayed sleep but could not improve sleep efficiency. For artificial fill light, neither blue light nor enhanced white light has been found to have a significant effect. In summary, summer light has a detrimental effect on sleep in polar populations, and moderate natural light may be superior to conventional light. However, specific strategies to improve sleep and artificial lighting in polar populations must be explored further.

Associations of light exposure patterns with sleep among Dutch children: The ABCD cohort study.

Light exposure affects the circadian system and consequently can affect sleep quality. Only few studies examined this relationship in children. We evaluated associations between light exposure patterns and sleep metrics in children. We measured the sleep parameters of 247 Dutch children, aged between 11 and 13 years and recruited from the ABCD cohort, using actigraphy and sleep records for 7 consecutive nights. Personal light exposures were measured with a light meter during the whole day and night. We applied generalized mixed-effects regression models, adjusted for possible confounders, to evaluate the associations of light exposure patterns on sleep duration, sleep efficiency and sleep-onset delay. In the models mutually adjusted for potential confounders, we found the amount of hours between the first time of bright light in the morning and going to sleep and the duration of bright light to be significantly associated with decreased sleep duration (in min; ß: -2.02 [95% confidence interval: -3.84, -0.25], ß: -8.39 [95% confidence interval: -16.70, -0.07], respectively) and with shorter sleep-onset delay (odds ratio: 0.88 [95% confidence interval: 0.80, 0.97], odds ratio: 0.40 [95% confidence interval: 0.19, 0.87], respectively). Increased light intensities at night were associated with decreased sleep duration (T2 ß: -8.54 [95% confidence interval: -16.88, -0.20], T3 ß: -14.83 [95% confidence interval: -28.04, -1.62]), while increased light intensities before going to bed were associated with prolonged sleep onset (odds ratio: 4.02 [95% confidence interval: 2.09, 7.73]). These findings further suggest that children may be able to influence their sleep quality by influencing the light exposure patterns during day and night.

The association between blue light exposure and incidence of type 2 diabetes: A prospective study of UK biobank.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common type of diabetes. However, research on the relationship between blue light exposure and diabetes development is limited. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between blue light exposure and T2D incidence and whether it is affected by sleep duration, physical activity, outdoor activity time, and genetic susceptibility. METHODS: A total of 471,686 participants without diabetes were recruited from the UK Biobank cohort. T2D incidence was assessed using hospital inpatient records. Blue light exposure was calculated based on the time spent watching TV, using a computer, and playing computer games, which was determined using an online questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the survival relationship between blue light exposure and T2D, as well as the potential modification effects. RESULT: A total of 18,738 cases of T2D were documented during the median follow-up of 13.04 years. After adjusting for potential confounders, the participants with heavy blue light exposure had a greater risk of T2D compared to those with mild blue light exposure (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-1.23). A significant association between blue light exposure and T2D risk was observed among the participants with heavy physical activity (HR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.25-1.55), healthy sleep habits (HR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.10-1.36), higher outdoor activity time (HR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.07-1.22), or high genetic susceptibility (HR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.14-1.35). However, this association became non-significant among the participants with low genetic susceptibility (HR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.97-1.15). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that blue light exposure is associated with a greater risk of T2D independent of classical T2D risk factors.

The effects of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on fetal movement profiles.

PURPOSE: The current study investigated the direct impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on fetal movements, addressing a critical research gap. While previous research has predominantly examined the effects of lockdown on maternal health and postnatal outcomes, little attention has been paid to the direct consequences on fetal well-being as indicated by their movement profile. METHODS: We conducted analysis of movement profiles in 20 healthy fetuses during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (third national UK lockdown period between January and March 2021) and compared them with 20 healthy fetuses from pre-covid pregnancies, all at 32 weeks gestation. We controlled for maternal stress, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: Pregnant mothers during pre-covid compared with those during the COVID-19 lockdown reported similar levels of stress (p = 0.47), depression (p = 0.15), and anxiety (p = 0.07). Their fetuses, however, differed in their movement profiles with mouth movement frequencies significantly higher during COVID-19 lockdown (COVID-19 lockdown: mean of 5.909) compared to pre-Covid pregnancies (mean of 3.308; p = 0.029). Furthermore, controlling for maternal anxiety a regression analysis indicated that frequency of fetal mouth movements (p = 0.017), upper face movements (p = 0.008), and touch movements (p = 0.031) were all significantly higher in fetuses observed during lockdown compared to fetuses before the Covid period. CONCLUSION: Fetuses show an effect of lockdown independent of maternal anxiety, stress, or depression. These findings contribute to our understanding of fetal development during extraordinary circumstances, raising questions about the potential effects of having to stay indoors during lockdowns.

Exploring the metabolic implications of blue light exposure during daytime in rats.

Excessive exposure to light is a global issue. Artificial light pollution has been shown to disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm. To investigate the impacts of light on metabolism, we studied Sprague-Dawley rats chronically exposed to red or blue light during daytime or nighttime. Rats in the experimental group were exposed to extended light for 4 hours during daytime or nighttime to simulate the effects of excessive light usage. Strikingly, we found systemic metabolic alterations only induced by blue light during daytime. Furthermore, we conducted metabolomic analyses of the cerebrospinal fluid, serum, heart, liver, spleen, adrenal, cerebellum, pituitary, prostate, spermatophore, hypothalamus and kidney from rats in the control and blue light exposure during daytime. Significant changes in metabolites have been observed in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, hypothalamus and kidney of rats exposed to blue light during daytime. Metabolic alterations observed in rats encompassing pyruvate metabolism, glutathione metabolism homocysteine degradation, phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis, and phospholipid biosynthesis, exhibit analogous patterns to those inherent in specific physiological processes, notably neurodevelopment, cellular injury, oxidative stress, and autophagic pathways. Our study provides insights into tissue-specific metabolic changes in rats exposed to blue light during the daytime and may help explain potential mechanisms of photopathogenesis.

The Fabrication and Property Characterization of a Ho2YSbO7/Bi2MoO6 Heterojunction Photocatalyst and the Application of the Photodegradation of Diuron under Visible Light Irradiation.

A novel photocatalytic nanomaterial, Ho2YSbO7, was successfully synthesized for the first time using the solvothermal synthesis technique. In addition, a Ho2YSbO7/Bi2MoO6 heterojunction photocatalyst (HBHP) was prepared via the hydrothermal fabrication technique. Extensive characterizations of the synthesized samples were conducted using various instruments, such as an X-ray diffractometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, a Raman spectrometer, a UV-visible spectrophotometer, an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, and a transmission electron microscope, as well as X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, a photocurrent test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance. The photocatalytic activity of the HBHP was evaluated for the degradation of diuron (DRN) and the mineralization of total organic carbon (TOC) under visible light exposure for 152 min. Remarkable removal efficiencies were achieved, with 99.78% for DRN and 97.19% for TOC. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the HBHP exhibited markedly higher removal efficiencies for DRN compared to Ho2YSbO7, Bi2MoO6, or N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst, with removal efficiencies 1.13 times, 1.21 times, or 2.95 times higher, respectively. Similarly, the HBHP demonstrated significantly higher removal efficiencies for TOC compared to Ho2YSbO7, Bi2MoO6, or N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst, with removal efficiencies 1.17 times, 1.25 times, or 3.39 times higher, respectively. Furthermore, the HBHP demonstrated excellent stability and reusability. The mechanisms which could enhance the photocatalytic activity remarkably and the involvement of the major active species were comprehensively discussed, with superoxide radicals identified as the primary active species, followed by hydroxyl radicals and holes. The results of this study contribute to the advancement of efficient heterostructural materials and offer valuable insights into the development of sustainable remediation strategies for addressing DRN contamination.

Constructing Direct Z-Scheme Y2TmSbO7/GdYBiNbO7 Heterojunction Photocatalyst with Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Acetochlor under Visible Light Irradiation.

This study presents a pioneering synthesis of a direct Z-scheme Y2TmSbO7/GdYBiNbO7 heterojunction photocatalyst (YGHP) using an ultrasound-assisted hydrothermal synthesis technique. Additionally, novel photocatalytic nanomaterials, namely Y2TmSbO7 and GdYBiNbO7, were fabricated via the hydrothermal fabrication technique. A comprehensive range of characterization techniques, including X-ray diffractometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, photocurrent testing, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance, was employed to thoroughly investigate the morphological features, composition, chemical, optical, and photoelectric properties of the fabricated samples. The photocatalytic performance of YGHP was assessed in the degradation of the pesticide acetochlor (AC) and the mineralization of total organic carbon (TOC) under visible light exposure, demonstrating eximious removal efficiencies. Specifically, AC and TOC exhibited removal rates of 99.75% and 97.90%, respectively. Comparative analysis revealed that YGHP showcased significantly higher removal efficiencies for AC compared to the Y2TmSbO7, GdYBiNbO7, or N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst, with removal rates being 1.12 times, 1.21 times, or 3.07 times higher, respectively. Similarly, YGHP demonstrated substantially higher removal efficiencies for TOC than the aforementioned photocatalysts, with removal rates 1.15 times, 1.28 times, or 3.51 times higher, respectively. These improvements could be attributed to the Z-scheme charge transfer configuration, which preserved the preferable redox capacities of Y2TmSbO7 and GdYBiNbO7. Furthermore, the stability and durability of YGHP were confirmed, affirming its potential for practical applications. Trapping experiments and electron spin resonance analyses identified active species generated by YGHP, namely •OH, •O2-, and h+, allowing for comprehensive analysis of the degradation mechanisms and pathways of AC. Overall, this investigation advances the development of efficient Z-scheme heterostructural materials and provides valuable insights into formulating sustainable remediation strategies for combatting AC contamination.

Effects of photodynamic therapy in patients with infected skin ulcers: A meta-analysis.

The purpose of the meta-analysis was to evaluate and compare the photodynamic therapy's effectiveness in treating infected skin wounds. The results of this meta-analysis were analysed, and the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using dichotomous or contentious random- or fixed-effect models. For the current meta-analysis, 6 examinations spanning from 2013 to 2021 were included, encompassing 154 patients with infected skin wounds were the used studies' starting point. Photodynamic therapy had a significantly lower wound ulcer size (MD, -4.42; 95% CI, -7.56--1.28, p = 0.006), better tissue repair (MD, -8.62; 95% CI, -16.76--0.48, p = 0.04) and lower microbial cell viability (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04-0.42, p < 0.001) compared with red light exposure in subjects with infected skin wounds. The examined data revealed that photodynamic therapy had a significantly lower wound ulcer size, better tissue repair and lower microbial cell viability compared with red light exposure in subjects with infected skin wounds. However, given that all examinations had a small sample size, consideration should be given to their values.

Recent-Onset Melanoma and the Implications of the Excessive Use of Tanning Devices-Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Melanoma, a malignant tumor arising from uncontrolled melanocytic proliferation, commonly found in the skin but capable of affecting extracutaneous sites, ranks fifth among diagnosed oncological entities and is a significant cause of cancer deaths, constituting over 80% of skin cancer mortality. Genetic factors and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, from both natural and artificial sources, are the primary risk factors. Case Presentation: We reported the case of a 25-year-old female with numerous pigmented nevi and notable changes attributed to extensive indoor tanning sessions. Dermatological examinations and dermoscopic evaluations revealed atypical features in two pigmented nevi, leading to surgical excision. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed a compound nevus in one lesion and superficial spreading melanoma in the other, emphasizing the importance of vigilant follow-up and the correct use of immunohistochemistry. Discussion: Indoor tanning significantly elevates the cutaneous melanoma risk, with initiation before age 35 amplifying the risk by up to 75%, especially in young women. The risk escalates with cumulative sessions, particularly exceeding 480, and individuals undergoing over 30 sessions face a 32% higher risk. UVR induces DNA damage, genetic mutations, and immunosuppression, contributing to oncogenesis. Genetic factors, like the PTCHD2 gene, may influence the tanning dependency. Legislation targeting minors has been enacted globally but only with partial efficacy. Tanning accelerators, though associated with minor side effects, correlate with high-risk behaviors. The case underscores the urgency of addressing indoor tanning risks, emphasizing targeted awareness efforts and legislative improvements. Conclusions: In conclusion, the reported case highlights the increased risk of cutaneous melanoma linked to indoor tanning, particularly among young women and specific sociodemographic groups. Despite legislative measures, challenges persist, suggesting the potential efficacy of online campaigns involving relatable influencers to raise awareness and discourage artificial tanning.

Abnormalities of Rest-Activity and Light Exposure Rhythms Associated with Cognitive Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

We aimed to examine the difference in rest-activity rhythm (RAR) and light exposure rhythm (LER) between patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal controls (NC), and to verify their relationships with cognitive functions. The neuropsychological battery was administered to participants above 50 years old. The MCI diagnosis was made according to Petersen's criteria. Ten patients with MCI (77.90 ± 6.95 years) and eight NC (74.75 ± 5.06 years) were studied. Actigraphy (Actiwatch 2; Philips Respironics) was recorded at home for 5 days. RAR and LER variables, including interdaily stability (IS), intradaily variability (IV) and relative amplitude, were calculated using nonparametric analyses. The associations between cognitive performance and RAR and LER variables were explored using generalized linear models. There were no significant differences in RAR or LER variables between MCI and NC. There was a significant main effect of RAR-IS on the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), indicating a positive relationship between RAR stability and SCWT performance. There was a significant group by RAR-IS interaction on Trail Making Test-A, indicating a negative relationship in MCI compared to NC. There was a significant group by LER-IV interaction on the Boston Naming Test, indicating a positive relationship in MCI compared to NC. There was no disruption in RAR and LER in patients with MCI. Our study showed that circadian rhythm abnormality was associated with a decline in executive function. However, circadian rhythm abnormality was not associated with declines in processing speed and language function in patients with MCI, implying an altered pathophysiology compared to NC.

Light exposure and its applications in human health.

Light exposure has been proven to have a significant impact on human health. As a result, researchers are increasingly exploring its potential benefits and drawbacks. With advancements in understanding light and the manufacturing of light sources, modern health lighting has become widely utilized in daily life and plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of various illnesses. The use of light in healthcare is a global trend, with many countries actively promoting the development and application of relevant scientific research and medical technology. This field has gained worldwide attention and support from scientists and doctors alike. In this review, we examine the application of lighting in human health and recent breakthroughs in light exposure related to pathology, therapeutic strategies, molecular changes, and more. Finally, we also discuss potential future developments and areas of application.

Promoting adolescent sleep and circadian function: A narrative review on the importance of daylight access in schools.

Adolescent sleep disturbances and circadian delays pose significant challenges to mood and daytime functioning. In this narrative review, we explore the impact of light on sleep and highlight the importance of monitoring and managing light exposure in adolescents throughout the day and night. The benefits of daylight exposure in mitigating sleep and circadian disruptions are well-established; however, interventions targeting access to daylight in adolescents remain understudied and underutilized. The primary aim of this narrative review is to bring attention to this gap in the literature and propose the need for institutional-level interventions that promote access to daylight, especially considering adolescents' early school start times and substantial time spent indoors on weekdays. School-led interventions, such as active commuting to school and outdoor curriculums, have promising effects on sleep and circadian rhythms. Additionally, practical measures to optimize natural light in classrooms, including managing blinds and designing conducive environments, should also be considered. While future studies are necessary to facilitate the implementation of interventions, the potential for these school-level interventions to support adolescent sleep health is evident. Aiming for integration of individual-level regulation and institutional-level intervention of light exposure is necessary for optimal outcomes.

Daily light exposure profiles and the association with objective sleep quality in patients with Parkinson's disease: The PHASE study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Light information crucially influences sleep initiation and continuity. The purpose of this study was to compare daily light exposure between patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and non-PD older adults and evaluate the association of daily light exposure with objective sleep measures in patients with PD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of 189 outpatients with PD and 1101 community-dwelling older adults (controls), daily light exposure was measured using wrist light meters during the daytime and light meters set in the bedrooms during the nighttime, and objective sleep quality was measured by wrist actigraphy. RESULTS: The median duration of exposure to ≥ 1000 lux light was significantly shorter in patients with PD than in controls. The median nighttime light intensity was higher in patients with PD than in controls. Among patients with PD, multivariable analysis suggested that the highest quartile of exposure to ≥ 1000 lux light during the daytime was linked to significantly higher sleep efficiency (SE) by 8.0% and shorter wake after sleep onset (WASO) by 36.9 minutes than the lowest quartile. During the nighttime, the highest quartile of mean light intensity had significantly lower SE by 6.8%, longer WASO by 24.1 minutes, longer sleep onset latency, and higher fragmentation index, than the lowest quartile. Importantly, daytime and nighttime light levels were independently associated with objective sleep measures. CONCLUSIONS: The present study illustrated that greater daytime light exposure and lower nighttime light exposure are significantly associated with better objective sleep measures in patients with PD.

Effect of light exposure on circadian rhythm in theront excystment in Cryptocaryon irritans.

We examined the effects of light exposure on the theront excystment circadian rhythm in Cryptocaryon irritans using a newly invented apparatus, which enabled us to examine the excystment rhythms of theronts from tomonts with low labor. Using the apparatus, we examined the timings of theront excystment from tomonts exposed directly to light and from tomonts exposed to light-exposed seawater by counting the number of excysted theronts. We found that the theront excystment time changed only when tomonts were directly exposed to light, indicating that light reception is essential for circadian rhythm entrainment. When tomonts were exposed to light only once for 12 h, either on Day 1, Day 2, or Day 3 after leaving host and being encysted, the circadian rhythm was entrained according to the photoperiod given on tomonts. Tomonts exposed to a low light (1 lx) with 12L:12D photoperiod daily showed a circadian rhythm similar to that in tomonts exposed to an intense light (500 lx) under the same photoperiod. When tomonts were incubated at 22 °C, 25 °C, or 28 °C under the same photoperiod, almost the same circadian rhythm was developed, suggesting temperature has little effect on the circadian rhythm entrainment between the range, even though the date of excystment was delayed in lower temperatures. These results suggest the circadian rhythm of theront excystment can be entrained in tomonts on the seabed of inner bays where net-cage aquaculture is conducted, and be involved in the outbreaks of cryptocaryoniasis there.

Environmental, social, and behavioral challenges of the human circadian clock in real-life conditions.

Urban environments, in which ambient light has become a less-reliable entrainer, are challenging for the biological clock to maintain performance. As a consequence, human circadian rhythms are less robust and more variable among individuals. Assessing the individual phase of entrainment, as well as its plastic shifts in response to disturbances of the physical and social environment, is a way to measure circadian disruption. However, this is still difficult to address in real-life scenarios in which several factors modulate the circadian phase not always in a concerted manner. In this perspective, we present the contribution of two real-life situations, in which the circadian system is challenged by important alterations in entraining signals: 1) a trip to the Antarctic summer (socio-environmental challenge), and 2) dancers trained in morning/night shifts (socio-behavioral challenge). Both natural chronobiological experiments are helpful in exploring the functioning and plasticity of the circadian clock and allow for considering individual characteristics and history.

Are there effects of light exposure on daytime sleep for rotating shift nurses after night shift?: an EEG power analysis.

Introduction: Night-shift workers often face various health issues stemming from circadian rhythm shift and the consequent poor sleep quality. We aimed to study nurses working night shifts, evaluate the electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern of daytime sleep, and explore possible pattern changes due to ambient light exposure (30 lux) compared to dim conditions (<5 lux) during daytime sleep. Moethods: The study involved 31 participants who worked night shifts and 24 healthy adults who had never worked night shifts. The sleep macro and microstructures were analyzed, and electrophysiological activity was compared (1) between nighttime sleep and daytime sleep with dim light and (2) between daytime sleep with dim and 30 lux light conditions. Results: The daytime sleep group showed lower slow or delta wave power during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep than the nighttime sleep group. During daytime sleep, lower sigma wave power in N2 sleep was observed under light exposure compared to no light exposure. Moreover, during daytime sleep, lower slow wave power in N3 sleep in the last cycle was observed under light exposure compared to no light exposure. Discussion: Our study demonstrated that night shift work and subsequent circadian misalignment strongly affect sleep quality and decrease slow and delta wave activities in NREM sleep. We also observed that light exposure during daytime sleep could additionally decrease N2 sleep spindle activity and N3 waves in the last sleep cycle.

Effect of Mediterranean diet and blue light exposition on macular pigment optical density values in a Spanish childhood population.

Background: Macular pigment in retina is formed by lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids must be ingested. Fruit, vegetables, and eggs are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. In adults, there are many factors that increase macular pigment values, although not enough studies have been performed in children. Objective: The main aim of this study was to analyze macular pigment in children considering healthy habits and exposure to LEDs screens. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted, recruiting 27 children aged 7-13 years. Healthy habits, demographic data and exposure to LEDs were analyzed using a questionnaire. To study adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the validated KIDMED questionnaire was used. Macular pigment optical density was measured using Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry, and weight and height were also recorded and expressed by body mass index. Results: The mean MPOD value was 0.45 ± 0.14. BMI percentile was studied in the children, with most of them presenting normal weight (55.55 %). Regarding the KIDMED questionnaire, ingesting a fruit or fruit juice every day increases macular pigment optical density (0.47 ± 0.13 vs 0.24 ± 0.07, p = 0.034). No correlation was found for the KIDMED questionnaire score, BMI or age with MPOD value. Conclusion: Lutein and zeaxanthin intake, as well as healthy habits, increase MPOD value. However, no relation was found for several of the factors evaluated with MPOD value.

Central blockage of sympathetic nerves inhibits the abnormal vital signs and disturbance of the gut microbiota caused by continuous light exposure.

Background: Continuous light exposure increases sympathetic excitation in rats, leading to hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and fibrosis. This study was aimed to investigate whether continuous light exposure causes destabilization of vital signs and gut microbiota (GM) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and whether clonidine hydrochloride (CH), a central sympathetic depressant drug, could prevent these changes. Methods: Eight-week-old male SD rats were divided into three groups with different interventions for 14 weeks: control group (CG), 2-mL pure water gavaged daily while on a normal 12-h light/dark cycle; continuous illumination group (CI), 2-mL pure water gavaged daily while receiving continuous exposure to light (300 lx); and drug administration group (DA), CH (10 µg/kg) gavaged daily while receiving continuous exposure to light (300 lx). Results: The results showed that blood pressure, heart rate, and body weight were significantly higher in the CI group than in the CG and DA groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the Shannon index was higher in the DA group than in the CI group (P = 0.012). The beta diversity index in the CG group was significantly higher in the CI group (P = 0.039). The pairwise comparison results of the linear discriminant analysis effect size showed that Oscillospirales were enriched in the DA group, whereas the Prevotellaceae lineage (family level) > Prevotella (genus level) > Prevotellaceae_bacterium (species level) were enriched in the CI group. The Muribaculaceae family was more abundant in the CG group than in the CI group. Conclusion: Sympathetic nerve inhibition restored the abnormal vital signs and GM changes under continuous light exposure.

Myopia Is an Ischemic Eye Condition: A Review from the Perspective of Choroidal Blood Flow.

Myopia is a common refractive error that affects a large proportion of the population. Recent studies have revealed that alterations in choroidal thickness (ChT) and choroidal blood flow (ChBF) play important roles in the progression of myopia. Reduced ChBF could affect scleral cellular matrix remodeling, which leads to axial elongation and further myopia progression. As ChT and ChBF could be used as potential biomarkers for the progression of myopia, several recent myopia treatments have targeted alterations in ChT and ChBF. Our review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent literature review on the relationship between ChBF and myopia. We also highlight the importance of ChT and ChBF in the progression of myopia and the potential of ChT as an important biomarker for myopia progression. This summary has significant implications for the development of novel strategies for preventing and treating myopia.

Free radical production induced by visible light in live fruit flies.

Visible light triggers free radical production in alive and intact Drosophila melanogaster. We exposed fruit flies to red (613-631 nm), green (515-535 nm), and blue (455-475 nm) light while we monitored changes in unpaired electron content with an electron spin resonance spectrometer (ESR/EPR). The immediate response to light is a rapid increase in spin content lasting approximately 10 s followed by a slower, linear increase for approximately 170 s. When the light is turned off, the spin population promptly decays with a similar time course, though never fully returning to baseline. The magnitude and time course of the spin production depends on the wavelength of the light. Initially, we surmised that eumelanin might be responsible for the spin change because of its documented ability for visible light absorption and its highly stable free radical content. To explore this, we utilized different fruit fly strains with varying eumelanin content and clarified the relation of melanin types with the spin response. Our findings revealed that flies with darker cuticle have at least three-fold more unpaired electrons than flies with yellow cuticle. However, to our surprise, the increase in unpaired electron population by light was not drastically different amongst the genotypes. This suggests that light-induced free radical production may not exclusively rely on the presence of black melanin, but may instead be dependent on light effects on quinone-based cuticular polymers.