Effect of end-of production continuous lighting on yield and nutritional value of Brassicaceae microgreens

The effect of continuous lighting applied in the end-of-production period on growth and nutritional quality of radish (Raphanus sativus var. radicula), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic), mizuna (Brassica rapa. var. nipposinica) and arugula (Eruca sativa) was investigated in growth chambers under LED lighting. Microgreens were grown under 16 h photoperiod and 3 days before harvest half of plants were placed under continuous lighting conditions. Pre-harvest continuous lighting treatment increased yield, robustness index, and shorten time to harvest in radish, broccoli, mizuna and arugula microgreens. The end-of-production treatment has also led to higher content of compounds with antioxidative properties (flavonoids, proline) and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, GPX) by inducing mild photooxidative stress. Increased antioxidative status added nutritional value to microgreens that can be used as functional foods providing health benefits. Pre-harvest treatment by continuous lighting is suggested as the practice than can allow producers to increase yield, aesthetic appeal, nutritional quality, and market value of Brassicacea microgreens

Parathyroid function and cardiovascular remodeling in arterial hypertension patients

Aim. To investigate structure and function of left ventriculum (LV) and brachial artery (BA) in arterial hypertension (AH) patients, according to blood levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH).Material and methods. In total, 95 untreated patients with Stage I-III AH were examined. Blood PTH, total calcium levels, and 24-hour urine calcium excretion were measured. All participants underwent Doppler echocardiography, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (BPM), and BA ultrasound. According to PTH levels, the patients were divided into three groups: Group I – 0-25 pg/ml, Group II – 26-50 pg/ml, and Group III – 51 pg/ml.Results. LV hypertrophy prevalence in Group III was 80,6%, in Group I – 43,7%. In “dippers” (24-hour BPM data), PTH level and 24-hour urine calcium excretion were 1,5 times lower than in “non-dippers”. Comparing to Group I, Group III demonstrated significantly greater intima-media thickness (+17,8%) and linear blood flowvelocity (+19,7%), but lower BA diameter (417,3%) and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (415,5%).Conclusion. PTH levels correlated with prevalence and severity of LV and BA remodeling