Brain uses fluid to flush out trash every night

Brain uses fluid to flush out trash every night

During deep sleep, cerebrum cleans what it doesn’t need, study finds

During deep sleep, the brain may be tidying up the detritus that accumulates during a hard day of thinking, a recent study suggests.

Brain uses fluid to flush out trash every night
A study suggests the brain wipes out detritus with fluid as we sleep

Researchers have found that during slow-wave sleep in particular – the type of slumber sandwiched between periods of dreaming – a sort of cleaning fluid pulses into the brain, taking out the trash as it recedes, according to a report published in Science.

Using high-speed brain imaging, the researchers were able to map out a series of events that occur as the brain enters deep sleep and brain waves start to slow and synchronize.

They found that the blood flow to the brain diminishes, allowing for an influx of clear, colourless cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). That fluid surges in and sloshes around, washing away the day’s detritus of proteins and other waste substanc­es that might harm the brain if they aren’t cleared out. 

“We haven’t ever seen CSF waves on this scale in the awake brain, suggesting that sleep involves a unique pattern of fluid flow in the brain,” said Laura Lewis, an assis­tant professor of biomedical engi­neering at Boston University and the study’s senior author.

“Previous studies in animals from other labs have shown that during sleep, proteins such as be­ta-amyloid (one of two hallmark proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease) are cleared more rapidly from the brain,” Lewis said. “Based on these studies; we wondered why this might occur and we wanted to ask whether CSF changes during sleep because CSF is thought to be important for waste removal.” 

Lewis and her colleagues suspect that poor sleep in patients with neurological disorders might im­pact the tidying up process, leaving waste materials to accumulate, eventually leading to degeneration.

“We’re running new studies to test how these CSF waves may change in healthy aging and in neurological disorders,” she said. “We’re also going to test wheth­er this would be associated with less waste removal from the brain during sleep in these patients.”

The new research shows how the rhythmic flow of fluid during deep sleep could be the way the brain washes away waste, Danish researchers write in a commentary that accompanied the new study.

Understanding that process might shed a light on how dis­turbed sleep could be linked to certain neurologic disorders, write Soren Grubb, an assistant professor in the department of neuroscience at the University of Copenhagen, and Martin Laurit­zen, a professor of clinical neuro­physiology at Rigshospitalet.

“Disturbances of (slow wave sleep) commonly accompany ag­ing, major depressive disorders and dementia,” they note.

“It will be interesting to assess whether the CSF dynamics linked to SWS can be used as a biomark­er for disease states and whether strategies to restore SWS can res­cue brain function in neurodegen­eration.”

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What are Nitrates and Nitrites?

Testing with EcoVisor F4 (Nitrate Tester, Dosimeter, EMF meter, TDS meter)

Nitrates and nitrites can be categorized into inorganic and organic forms based on their chemical structure.
There are similarities and differences between these two chemical forms that affect their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and their subsequent biologic effects in humans. This artical  will focus on inorganic nitrates.

Inorganic Nitrates and Nitrites

Inorganic nitrate (NO3–) and nitrite (NO2–) are water soluble (as a result of their interaction with the positively charged portions of polar water molecules)

Structures of Nitrate and Nitrite Ions
Structures of Nitrate and Nitrite Ions

and commonly exist as salts of nitric acid and nitrous acid, respectively. They are often bound to a metal cation such as Na+ or K+ and occur naturally through the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen as part of the environmental nitrogen cycle (the cyclic movement of nitrogen in different chemical forms from the environment, to organisms, and then back to the environment as illustrated).

Environmental Nitrogen Cycle
Environmental Nitrogen Cycle

Inorganic nitrites are also produced endogenously through oxidation of nitrous oxide (NO) formed from the enzymatic degradation of L-arginine and through the reduction of nitrate with xanthine oxidoreductase.

Organic Nitrates and Nitrites

The organic forms of nitrates and nitrites are more complex and most are synthesized medicinal products (except ethyl nitrite). Organic nitrates are small non-polar hydrocarbon chains attached to a nitrooxy-radical (-ONO2; -ONO for amyl and ethyl nitrite). The addition of aliphatic or aromatic groups of variable length and volume affect the lipophilic properties of these molecules. It has been suggested that for some molecules, the greater the number of –ONO2 groups, the greater its potency; (the potency being dependent on the molecule’s lipophilicity).

Key Points

  • Nitrates and Nitrites exist in organic and inorganic
    forms.
  • The chemical form affects the pharmacokinetic and
    pharmacodynamic properties of nitrates and
    nitrates.
  • Inorganic nitrates and nitrites are generally more
    water soluble than organic nitrates and nitrates.
  • Inorganic nitrates and nitrites are produced
    endogenously and exogenously.
  • Organic nitrates and nitrites are mostly synthesized
    medicinal products.
  • Organic nitrates and nitrites are generally more
    complex and lipophilic than inorganic nitrates and nitrites.
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DID YOU KNOW?!

Lumin UVC Disinfection

Lumin UVC works on multiple household items!

Although a great way to disinfect CPAP masks and water chambers, the Lumin is not limited to disinfecting only CPAP items. Any non-living item which can fit inside the Lumin tray can be disinfected. This includes common items such as dentures, toothbrushes, hearing aids, small children toys and many more!

Lumin UVC sanitizes personal items!
Kids toys, N95 masks, Gloves, Glasses, Cell phones, Shoe covers, Plastic hats, Toothbrushes, Nebulizers, Pens, Money, Credit cards, Sex toys etc.

What can you put in the Lumin UVC?

RemoteHearing AidPacifiers
Tooth BrushPensDentures
PhoneSwim gogglesEyeglasses
CPAP MaskCPAP TubingToys
And many more!

You can use the Lumin UVC to disinfect any required item that safely fits into the drawer!

The Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Machine

What is Lumin UVC Sanitizing System - Lumin CPAP Interface and Accessories Cleaner?
Lumin UVC Sanitizing System – Lumin CPAP Interface and Accessories Cleaner
2 Year Warranty Lumin UVC
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What are Routes of Exposure to Nitrates and Nitrites?

Testing with EcoVisor F4 (Nitrate Tester, Dosimeter, EMF meter, TDS meter)

The primary routes of exposure to nitrates and nitrites may differ depending on occupational and non­ occupational factors. Non-occupational factors may include:

  • Age,
  • Diet,
  • Medications,
  • Hobbies (such as gardening, arc welding, etc.),
  • History of inhalational drug use,
  • Source of drinking/cooking water and how it is supplied,
  • Outdoor activities,
  • The chemical form of the nitrates and nitrites.
Routes of Exposure to Nitrates and Nitrites
Routes of Exposure to Nitrates and Nitrites

Occupational and Paraoccupational Exposures

Occupational exposure occurs primarily through the inhalation and dermal routes. Explosive and fertilizer industry workers may be exposed to nitrate through inhalation of dusts containing nitrate salts. Dusts can also dissolve in sweat exposing skin to concentrated solutions of the salts. Farmers may experience periodic exposures depending on their activities, especially with regard to the handling of fertilizers. Exposure of family members to nitrates from dusts brought home on work clothes has been reported.

Non­-occupational Exposures

The primary route of non-occupational exposure is ingestion of water or foodstuffs that contain high levels of nitrates or nitrites. Inhalation exposures may occur from inhalant drug use and dermal exposures may occur from some topical medications. These would be special instances and not the primary routes of exposure for the general population.

Key Points

  • Primary occupational routes of exposure to nitrates and nitrites include inhalation and dermal routes.
  • The primary route of exposure to nitrates and nitrites for the general population is ingestion.
  • Inhalation and dermal exposures have been reported in non-occupational settings under certain circumstances, but are not the primary routes of exposure for the general population.
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Where are Nitrates and Nitrites found?

Testing with EcoVisor F4 (Nitrate Tester, Dosimeter, EMF meter, TDS meter)

Understanding the environmental fate of nitrates and nitrites may help pinpoint potential sources of exposure. This would be important in assessment of patient exposure risk, prevention and mitigation of nitrate / nitrite overexposure and in the prevention of adverse health effects from exposure.

Environmental Nitrogen Cycle

In general, the following describes the activity of nitrates and nitrites in the environment. Microbial action in soil or water decomposes wastes containing organic nitrogen into ammonia, which is then oxidized to nitrite and nitrate.

Environmental Nitrogen Cycle
Environmental Nitrogen Cycle
  • Because nitrite is easily oxidized to nitrate, nitrate is the compound predominantly found in groundwater and surface waters.
  • Contamination with nitrogen-containing fertilizers (e.g. potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate), or animal or human organic wastes, can raise the concentration of nitrate in water.
  • Nitrate-containing compounds in the soil are generally water soluble and readily migrate with groundwater.

Water Contamination

Shallow, rural domestic wells are those most likely to be contaminated with nitrates, especially in areas where nitrogen-based fertilizers are widely used.

Water Contamination
Water Contamination
  • Approximately 15 percent of Americans rely on their own private drinking water supplies which are not subject to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, although some state and local governments do set guidelines to protect users of these wells.
  • In agricultural areas, nitrogen-based fertilizers are a major source of contamination for shallow groundwater aquifers that provide drinking water.
  • A recent United States Geological Survey study showed that 7 percent of 2,388 domestic wells and about 3 percent of 384 public-supply wells nationwide were contaminated with nitrate levels above the EPA drinking water standard of 10 parts per million (ppm) or 10 mg/L.
  • Elevated concentrations were most common in domestic wells that were shallow (less than 100 feet deep) and located in agricultural areas because of relatively large nitrogen sources, including septic systems, fertilizer use, and livestock.
  • Although suppliers of public water sources are required to monitor nitrate concentrations regularly, few private rural wells are routinely tested for nitrates.
  • During spring melt or drought conditions, both domestic wells and public water systems using surface water can show increased nitrate levels.
  • Drinking water contaminated by boiler fluid additives may also contain increased levels of nitrites.
  • Mixtures of nitrates / nitrites with other well contaminants such as pesticides and VOCs have been reported.

Food Contamination

Nitrate and nitrite overexposure has been reported via
ingestion of foods containing high levels of nitrates and nitrites. Inorganic nitrates and nitrites present in contaminated soil and water can be taken up by plants, especially green leafy vegetables and beet root.

Food Contamination Nitrate in Vegetables
Food Contamination Nitrate in Vegetables
  • Contaminated foodstuffs, prepared baby foods, and sausage / meats preserved with nitrates and nitrites have caused overexposure in children.
  • Although vegetables are seldom a source of acute toxicity in adults, they account for about 80% of the nitrates in a typical human diet.
  • Celery, spinach lettuce, red beetroot and other vegetables have naturally greater nitrate content than other plant foods do.
  • The remainder of the nitrate in a typical diet comes from drinking water (about 21%) and from meat and meat products (about 6%) in which sodium nitrate is used as a preservative and color- enhancing agent.
  • For infants who are bottle-fed, however, the major source of nitrate exposure is from contaminated drinking water used to dilute formula.
  • Bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food. It is monitored for nitrates, nitrites and total nitrates / nitrites.

Nitrate Content of Selected Vegetables

VegetableNitrate contentmg / 100g fresh weight
Celery, lettuce, red beetroot, spinachVery High (> 2500)
Parsley, leek, endive, Chinese cabbage, fennelHigh (100-250)
Cabbage, dill, turnipMedium (50-100)
Broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, pumpkinLow (20-50)
Artichoke, asparagus, eggplant, garlic, onion, green bean, mushroom, pea, pepper, potato, summer squash, sweet potato, tomato, watermelonVery Low (<20)

Other Sources of Exposure

Nitrate or nitrite exposure can occur from certain medications and volatile nitrite inhalants.

Nitrate or nitrite exposure from certain medications
Nitrate or nitrite exposure from certain medications

Accidental and inadvertent exposures to nitrites as well as ingestion in suicide attempts have been reported.

Deliberate abuse of volatile nitrites (amyl, butyl, and isobutyl nitrites) frequently occurs. Amyl nitrite (nicknamed by some as “poppers”) is used commercially as a vasodilator and butyl / isobutyl nitrites can be found in products such as room air fresheners.

Fatalities have been reported in adults exposed to nitrates in burn therapy; however infants and children are especially susceptible to adverse health effects from exposure to topical silver nitrate used in burn therapy.

Other medications implicated in methemoglobinemia include:

  • Quinone derivatives (antimalarials),
  • Nitroglycerine,
  • Bismuth subnitrite (antidiarrheal),
  • Ammonium nitrate (diuretic),
  • Amyl and sodium nitrites (antidotes for cyanide and hydrogen sulfide poisoning),
  • Isosorbide dinitrate/tetranitrates (vasodilators used in coronary artery disease therapy),
  • Benzocaine (local anesthetic), and
  • Dapsone (antibiotic).

Other possible sources of exposure include ammonium nitrate found in cold packs and nitrous gases used in arc welding.

An ethyl nitrite folk remedy called “sweet spirits of nitre” has caused fatalities.

Key Points

  • Shallow, rural domestic wells are those most likely to be contaminated with nitrates, especially in areas where nitrogen based fertilizers are in widespread use.
  • Other nitrate sources in well water include seepage from septic sewer systems and animal wastes.
  • Foodstuffs high in nitrates, home prepared baby foods, and sausage/meats preserved with nitrates and nitrites have caused overexposure in children.
  • Nitrate or nitrite exposure can occur from certain medications and volatile nitrite inhalants.
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Lumin UVC Sanitizing System – Lumin CPAP Interface and Accessories Cleaner

What is Lumin UVC Sanitizing System - Lumin CPAP Interface and Accessories Cleaner?

The Lumin UV Light Sanitizing Device from 3B Medical is a safe and effective alternative to harsher, more expensive devices on the market today used to sanitize HOME & Medical equipment. In other words the Lumin UVC uses a powerful amount of UV light contained inside of a fail-safe chamber to kill bacteria in just five minutes.

Lumin UVC Sanitizing System - Lumin CPAP Interface and Accessories Cleaner
Lumin UVC Sanitizing System – Lumin CPAP Interface and Accessories Cleaner

Lumin UVC – Disinfection & Cleaning

What is Lumin UVC?

Lumin is the easiest and fastest way to clean a CPAP mask and accessories. At first Lumin works with a cleaning cycle time of 5 minutes. Equally important NO harmful ozone, and a 99.9% kill rate for harmful bacteria, viruses, mold and fungus. It is the ideal high margin retail accessory for a DME servicing CPAP patients.

DISINFECTION – Cleaning

Quick 5 Min cleaning – Interface Disinfection

Lumin UVC works by emitting high energy light within a narrow spectrum referred to as UV-C. The device relies on a low-pressure, mercury-arc germicidal lamp designed to produce the highest amounts of UV light – where 90% of energy is generated around 254nm. Especially the dose of UV-C emitted in one 5-minute cycle is sufficient to kill most bacteria and mold on a surface.

RELIABILITY

UV Light kills 99% of Bacteria

UV light will disinfect up to 99% of harmful bacteria, pathogens, and fungi that can cause infection and illness. Lumin UV light is also the safest disinfection option on the market, there is NO HARMFUL OZONE.

SAFETY

Safe and Easy to Use

The 5-minute ozone FREE cleaning cycle with no need for water or harmful chemicals. Specifically makes Lumin the safest and easiest choice for interface and accessory cleaning.

ECO-FRIENDLY

No Harmful Ozone

The use of UV-C is environmentally friendly, leaves no residue or toxic gases or chemicals. For example UV-C systems are currently in use to disinfect ambulances, emergency service vehicles and other high touch areas.

AFFORDABLE

Reasonably Priced

Above all a fair and reasonable price of a Lumin UVC is fair to patients. One of our most popular items. Perfect for everyday use. Exceptional quality and choice. Lumin CPAP mask cleaner and sanitizer is a clever financial investment for anybody who needs to maintain CPAP devices clean and sanitized. In conclusion the device features an appropriate cost, it is easy to run and requires no maintenance whatsoever.

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Lithium Polymer LiPo Rechargeable Batteries

Q:What is the difference between lithium rechargeable batteries and other rechargeable batteries?

A:First of all, this product belongs to the “polymer lithium ion battery,” namely “lithium battery “. Whereas the “rechargeable battery” refers to nickel-metal hydride or nickel-cadmium batteries, which are fundamentally different. Compared with NiMH or NiCd batteries, the lithium battery has such characteristics as high energy density, long cycle life, no memory effect, quick charging speed, ultra-low self-discharge, light weight and environment-friendly. In other word, the phone battery we use now is basically the lithium battery, which is well understood. The phone battery is also developed from nickel-cadmium and nickel hydrogen batteries. “Lithium battery” represents the best battery energy technology at present.

Q:Before that, is there no AA or AAA rechargeable lithium battery?

Lithium Rechargeable Batteries

A:All along, AA or AAA batteries have no lithium batteries in real sense, mainly because the electronic devices on the market using standardized batteries are all designed based on the voltage characteristics of dry batteries (Single voltage of 1.5V). Compared to the traditional standardized batteries, lithium-ion battery’s output voltage is higher (Single voltage of 3.7V). This unique chemical characteristic makes it, the best contemporary energy, have not been possible to enter this field, resulting in serious deficiencies of lithium-ion rechargeable battery in the application field of standardized cylindrical battery.

Q:How can Lithium Polymer Battery be in common use?

A:The 1.5V universal polymer lithium-ion batteries are the major research after years of exploration and research in seeking optimal power solution to portable electronics. It adopts the voltage conversion technology, converting the output voltage of 3.7V into 1.5V, which is fully compatible and alternative to traditional batteries. It has completed a great creation in the field of traditional standard batteries, making the lithium battery step forward to be universal.

Q:What is the difference between polymer lithium ion battery and ordinary lithium ion battery?

A:According to different electrolyte materials, lithium-ion batteries can be divided into polymer lithium ion battery (PLIB), and Li-ion battery (LIB). Ordinary lithium-ion battery refers to liquid lithium battery. In contrast, polymer lithium-ion battery has such characteristics as high energy density and good safety performance. Its quality increases by 20% compared with ordinary lithium-ion (liquid) battery.

Q:How long does it take to charge batteries?

A:It takes about 3 hours to fully charge AA battery and about 2 hours to fully charge AAA battery.   

Tips: Due to the special charging characteristics of lithium battery, when the charging time reaches half of the entire charge cycle, the battery has reached more than 85% of the full electric quantity. So in the case of emergencies, it just need half the charging time, thus saving your valuable time.

Q:What does the dual voltage of 1.5V / 3.7V on the battery label mean?

A:There are two sets of output voltage on the positive electrode of lithium batteries. The protruding one of 1.5V is universal battery voltage, users can use it normally, and the other is 3.7V in the groove, which is used to charge the battery.

Q:Why the product is marked of mWh rather than mAh?

A:mWh represents “milliwatt hour”, on behalf of the battery capacity. It is labelled in accordance with the new labeling specifications of lithium-ion batteries. mWh = mAh * voltage.

Q:What is the difference between lithium iron phosphate battery and universal polymer lithium battery?

A:The differences lie in:

1) Voltage: the voltage of lithium iron phosphate battery is 3.2 V. When fully charged, its actual voltage is 3.6 V or so. Such a high voltage is beyond the limit voltage of the appliances using AA or AAA universal battery. So it is easy to damage the appliances (note: this is why the businessman has repeatedly remind users that the battery fully charged should be placed more than 1 hour until the voltage drop, then they can use); universal lithium battery uses intelligent voltage transformation technology, with the constant voltage output voltage of 1.5 V, to ensure the standard voltage of the appliances. (You can check the input voltage parameters on the labels of electrical appliances)    Note: the use of this product is like the use of ordinary dry batteries, don’t need to add another bit bucket!

2) Security: Strictly speaking, lithium iron phosphate battery cannot be considered as “batteries”, it is just a cell, without protection circuit; uinversal lithium battery uses multiple intelligence protection circuit preventing overcharge, over discharge, short circuit, overheating, very safe to use. This is also a reason why the cost of the product is higher.   Note: lithium iron phosphate battery, because of no protection circuit, have been over discharged when many electrical equipment reach the lowest limit voltage. This is why businesses repeatedly remind users that: Do not charge the battery until it is completely discharged!

3) Capacity: generally, the highest capacity of lithium iron phosphate battery is 600mAh. Its nominal voltage is 3.2V, to be used with bit bucket. Take the electrical equipment using two AA batteries for example. Lithium iron phosphate battery: 600mAh * 3.2V * 1 = 1920mWh; Battery: 760mAh * 3.7V * 2 = 5624mWh; it can be seen that the capacity of lithium batteries is nearly three times that of lithium iron phosphate in the practical application.

Q:What is the concept of the product compared with the ordinary disposable batteries?

A:The product uses polymer lithium cells, which can be recycled 500 to 1000 times. The full charged electricity once is equivalent to that of 2 to 5 batteries. It is no exaggeration to say that a universal lithium battery is equivalent to 1000 to 1500 alkaline batteries, 5000 to 6000 ordinary KK batteries. That’s economical and environment-friendly.

Q:Can we charge other common rechargeable batteries with the special lithium battery’s charger? Or charge universal lithium batteries with ordinary NiMH battery’s charger?

A:No, you can’t! Because charging voltage is different, lithium battery charger is much more complex.

Q:How many mAh is the AA/PH5 battery of 2800 mWh equivalent to?

A:As this is a lithium polymer battery with nominal voltage of 3.7V, and batteries capacity of 760 mAh, when the voltage is converted into the output voltage of 1.5V, it will be more accurate to calculate in “mWh” (power) according to the latest national labelling standard. But compared with the nickel-metal hydride battery, when 1.2 V is divided by 2800 mWh, it is equivalent to more than 2330 mAh. But because the universal lithium is a constant voltage output, the efficient capacity can be released completely, so the stronger battery life of devices using larger electricity reflecting is several times stronger than that of the nickel-metal hydride batteries, or even ten times more.

Q:Is the battery safe?

A:It is very safe, because there are multiple protection mechanism inside the battery. If the voltage conversion circuit is damaged, protection circuit will truncate the output, and the output voltage will be zero.

Q:How about the 1.5 V AA rechargeable lithium battery?

A:Batteries of the AA / AAA rechargeable lithium ion are the best on the universal batteries market, according to the “best” does not mean that the battery manufacturing technology so mystical, but the materials inside the battery  – “cells” are changed, used polymer lithium ion cells, while the polymer lithium ion represents the contemporary the most optimal battery technology, so we said the battery is the “best”. , of course, the “best” is relative, lithium batteries due to a high energy, no memory effect, long cycle life, light weight and fast charging itself unique performance advantage has become the mainstream of the current battery power, and all of these “performance advantages of lithium battery is also relative to Ni-MH batteries, we have seen, in the high-end electronic products market is almost can not see the figure of Ni-MH batteries, replaced by lithium batteries; And in the field of general battery, namely we are the most common AA /AAA standard battery system development has been to stay in “nickel metal hydride phase,” battery is precisely at this time, apply a “voltage transformation technology” to “introduction” general batteries, lithium-ion batteries for contemporary general battery and battery technology “synchronous”. We can imagine, with the development of science and technology, technology updates, there may be a fuel cell in the future, better batteries energy sources such as nuclear power battery, but in the present stage of batteries, lithium batteries will occupy the mainstream market in a long time.

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