Solar photo-Fenton and persulphate-based processes for landfill leachate treatment: A critical review.

Landfilling is the most usual solid waste management strategy for solid residues disposal. However, it entails several drawbacks such as the generation of landfill leachate that seriously threaten human life and the environment due to their toxicity and carcinogenic character. Among various technologies, solar photo-Fenton and sulphate-based processes have proven to be suitable for the treatment of these polluted streams. This review critically summarises the last three decades of studies in this field. It is found that the solar homogeneous photo-Fenton process should be preferably used as a pre- and post-treatment of biological technologies and as a standalone treatment for young, medium, and mature leachates, respectively. Studies on heterogeneous solar photo-Fenton process are lacking so that this technology may be scaled-up for industrial applications. Sulphate radicals are attractive for removing both COD and ammonia. However, no study has been reported on solar sulphate activation for landfill leachate treatment. This review discusses the main advances and challenges on treating landfill leachate through solar AOPs, it compares solar photo-Fenton and solar persulphate-based treatments, indicates the future research directions and contributes for a better understanding of these technologies towards sustainable treatment of landfill leachate in sunny and not-so-sunny regions.

Evaluation of a battery of biotests to improve waste ecotoxicity assessment (HP 14), using incineration bottom ash as a case study.

The assessment of waste ecotoxicity (hazardous property HP14 in the European Union) is fundamental for proper waste classification and safe application/disposal. Biotests are relevant for evaluating waste complex matrices, but their efficiency is crucial to encourage their adoption at the industrial level. This work aims at evaluating possibilities of improving the efficiency of a biotest battery previously suggested in the literature, regarding test selection, duration, and/or laboratory resources optimization. Fresh incineration bottom ash (IBA) was the case study. The test battery analysed included standard aquatic (bacteria, microalgae, macrophytes, daphnids, rotifers, fairy shrimp) and terrestrial (bacteria, plants, earthworms, collembolans) organisms. The assessment followed an Extended Limit Test design (three dilutions of eluate or solid IBA) and the Lowest Ineffective Dilution (LID-approach) for ecotoxicity classification. The results emphasize the importance of testing different species. It was also evidenced that tests with daphnids and earthworms may be shortened to 24 h; the miniaturization of tests is suitable as e.g. differential sensitivity of microalgae and macrophytes was captured with low variability; alternative testing kits can be used when methodological difficulties are found. Microalgae were more sensitive than macrophytes. Similar results were found for the Thamnotoxkit and daphnids test for eluates with natural pH, so the former may be used as an alternative. B. rapa was the most sensitive organism, suggesting that it may be tested as the only terrestrial plant species and that minimum test duration is appropriate. F. candida does not appear to add information to the battery. The differences in sensitivity of A. fischeri and E. fetida compared to the remaining species were not significant enough to exclude them from the battery. Thus, this work suggests a biotest battery to test IBA comprising aquatic tests - Aliivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata (miniaturised test), and Daphnia magna (24 h when clear deleterious effects are observed) or Thamnocephalus platyurus (toxkit) - and terrestrial tests - Arthrobacter globiformis, Brassica rapa (14 d), and Eisenia fetida (24 h). Testing waste with natural pH is also recommended. The Extended Limit Test design considering the LID-approach seems useful in waste testing, particularly for the industry, involving low effort, test material requirements, and few laboratory resources. The LID-approach allowed for differentiating ecotoxic from non-ecotoxic effects and captured different sensitivities between species. Ecotoxicological assessment of other waste may benefit from these recommendations, but caution should be taken given the properties of each waste type.

An integrated characterisation of incineration bottom ashes towards sustainable application: Physicochemical, ecotoxicological, and mechanical properties.

Environmental protection is a central concern regarding municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (IBA) management, but the assessment of waste Hazardous Property HP14 (ecotoxicity) is still under debate. Civil engineering applications may be a suitable management strategy. This work aimed at evaluating IBA regarding mechanical behaviour and environmental hazardous potential, including a biotest battery for ecotoxicity assessment (comprising miniaturised tests), to explore its potential for safe utilization. Physical, chemical, ecotoxicological (Aliivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Lemna minor, Daphnia magna, Lepidium sativum), and mechanical (one-dimensional compressibility, shear strength) analyses were performed. The low leaching for potentially toxic metals and ions complied with European Union (EU) limit values for non-hazardous waste landfills. No relevant ecotoxicological effects were found. The biotest battery seems suitable for ecotoxicological assessment in the aquatic ecosystem, providing wide information on waste impact on different trophic/functional levels and chemical uptake routes, simultaneously involving short-duration tests and reduced amounts of waste. IBA presented more compressibility than sand, but its mixture with sand (30%:70%) was closer to sand compressibility. IBA (lower stresses) and the mixture (higher stresses) showed slightly higher shear strength than sand. Overall, IBA presented the potential for valorisation as loose aggregates from an environmental and mechanical viewpoint in a circular economy framework.

Comparative analysis of methods and models for predicting biochemical methane potential of various organic substrates.

Biochemical methane potential (BMP) corresponds to the maximum methane production at anaerobic digestion infinite time and is a key parameter to evaluate the suitability of substrates to obtain biogas. The main objective of this work is to explore the data available in the literature for ten categories of substrates to compare and develop new methods and mathematical models able to predict BMP. Indeed, experimental procedure is time-consuming, laborious and costly, and the development of methods or models based on properties easily assessed may be very helpful at industrial scale. In this study, three substrates (banana waste, tomato waste and winery wastewater) were tested and compared with >150 results from the literature. The analysis involved four methods (Met_I to Met_IV) and five models developed by multivariate regression (Mod_I to Mod_V). Met_I is related to elemental analysis; Met_II with the organic fraction composition; Met_III is associated with chemical oxygen demand (COD); Met_IV is based on NIR spectra. Regression models are combinations by grouping single variables: C, H, O, N (Mod_I); hemicellulose, lignin (LG), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (Mod_II); volatile solids (VS), COD (Mod_III); proteins (PT), carbohydrates (CRB), lipids (LP) (Mod_IV); and CRB, LP, PT, LG, ADF (Mod_V). The results showed that no significant correlation can be found between BMP and single common properties (e.g. VS or C/N ratio). However, good results may be achieved with models developed by multivariate regression (R2 from 0.93 to 0.98, and R2adj from 0.91 to 0.96). The prediction of BMP based on Met_IV, which is based on NIR spectroscopy combined with a multivariate regression model, revealed to be a promising method for both data from literature as well as for substrates analyzed in the present work.

Comparison of Photocatalytic and Photosensitized Oxidation of Paraben Aqueous Solutions Under Sunlight.

It is well-established that aquatic wildlife is exposed to natural and synthetic endocrine disrupting compounds which are able to interfere with the hormonal system. Although advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have shown to be effective, their application is limited by a relatively high operational cost. In order to reduce the cost of energy consumed in the AOPs, widely available solar energy instead of UV light may be applied either as photocatalytic oxidation or as photosensitized oxidation. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the sunlight photodegradation of paraben mixture. Two processes, namely the photocatalytic oxidation with modified TiO2 nanoparticles and photosensitized oxidation with photosensitive chitosan beads, were applied. The oxidants were identified as singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals for photosensitized and photocatalytic oxidation, respectively. The toxicity, as well as ability to water disinfection of both processes under natural sunlight, has been investigated. Application of sunlight for the processes led to degradation of parabens. The efficiency of both processes was comparable. Despite the fact that singlet oxygen is weaker oxidant than hydroxyl radicals, the photosensitized oxidation seems to be more promising for wastewater purification, due to the possibility of chitosan bead reuse and more effective water disinfection. Graphical Abstractᅟ.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci isolates colonizing and infecting haematology patients: clonality, and virulence and resistance profile.

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are an important agent of colonization and infection in haematology patients. However, the role of virulence on VRE colonization and infection is controversial. AIM: To characterize the lineage, virulence and resistance profile of VRE infection and colonization isolates; as well as their impact on outcome of haematology patients using a regression logistic model. METHODS: Eighty-six isolates (80 Enterococcus faecium and six E. faecalis) from 76 patients were evaluated. Polymerase chain reaction for resistance and virulence genes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole genome sequencing of the major clusters, were performed. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to evaluate the role of virulence genes on outcome. FINDINGS: All isolates harboured the vanA gene. Regarding the virulence genes, 96.5% of isolates were positive for esp, 69.8% for gelE and asa1 genes. VRE infection isolates were more virulent than colonization isolates and harboured more often the gelE gene (P = 0.008). Infections caused by VRE carrying asa1 gene resulted more frequently in death (P = 0.004), but only the predominant clone remained as protector in the multivariate model. The E. faecium strains were assigned to seven STs (ST78, ST412, ST478, ST792, ST896, ST987, ST963) that belonged to CC17. The E. faecalis sequenced belonged to ST9 (CC9). CONCLUSION: E. faecium was predominant, and infection isolates were more virulent than colonization isolates and harboured more often the gene gelE. Infections caused by VRE carrying the asa1 gene appeared to be associated with a fatal outcome.

Application of a high-throughput process analytical technology metabolomics pipeline to Port wine forced ageing process.

Metabolomics aims at gathering the maximum amount of metabolic information for a total interpretation of biological systems. A process analytical technology pipeline, combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data preprocessing with multivariate analysis, was applied to a Port wine "forced ageing" process under different oxygen saturation regimes at 60°C. It was found that extreme "forced ageing" conditions promote the occurrence of undesirable chemical reactions by production of dioxane and dioxolane isomers, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which affect the quality of the final product through the degradation of the wine aromatic profile, colour and taste. Also, were found high kinetical correlations between these key metabolites with benzaldehyde, sotolon, and many other metabolites that contribute for the final aromatic profile of the Port wine. The use of the kinetical correlations in time-dependent processes as wine ageing can further contribute to biological or chemical systems monitoring, new biomarkers discovery and metabolic network investigations.

The effects of a mineral trioxide aggregate-based sealer on the production of reactive oxygen species, nitrogen species and cytokines by two macrophage subtypes.

AIM: To test the effects of a mineral trioxide aggregate-based sealer (MTA Fillapex(®)) and MTA (MTA-Ângelus(®)) on viability and on the production of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (NO) by M1 and M2 inflammatory macrophages. METHODOLOGY: M1 (from C57BL/6 mice) and M2 (from BALB/c mice) peritoneal inflammatory macrophages were obtained and cultured in vitro in the presence of original and diluted extracts of MTA and MTA Fillapex (FLPX). The cell viability, ROS release and the release of tumour necrosis factor-a, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10 and NO in response to stimulation with interferon-γ and Fusobacterium nucleatum or Peptostreptococcus anaerobius were evaluated. The data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test and Student's t-test. RESULTS: Fillapex was cytotoxic at the highest concentrations (1:1;1:2) and decreased the viability (P < 0.05) of both macrophage types (<20%). MTA did not interfere with cellular viability. FLPX inhibited the release of ROS and decreased NO release in F. nucleatum and P. anaerobius -stimulated M1 and M2 macrophages (≤25 µ mol L(-1)). F. nucleatum-stimulated M2 macrophage cultures released lower levels of TNF-α when FLPX was added (≤1 ng mL(-1)). M2 macrophages released higher (>5 ng mL(-1)) levels of IL-10 than M1 macrophages. Only M1 macrophage cultures produced IL-12p70. CONCLUSIONS: Fillapex impaired effector immune responses during inflammation (M1 macrophages), as well as during healing (M2 macrophages) responses.

Whole blood genome-wide gene expression profile in males after prolonged wakefulness and sleep recovery.

Although the specific functions of sleep have not been completely elucidated, the literature has suggested that sleep is essential for proper homeostasis. Sleep loss is associated with changes in behavioral, neurochemical, cellular, and metabolic function as well as impaired immune response. Using high-resolution microarrays we evaluated the gene expression profiles of healthy male volunteers who underwent 60 h of prolonged wakefulness (PW) followed by 12 h of sleep recovery (SR). Peripheral whole blood was collected at 8 am in the morning before the initiation of PW (Baseline), after the second night of PW, and one night after SR. We identified over 500 genes that were differentially expressed. Notably, these genes were related to DNA damage and repair and stress response, as well as diverse immune system responses, such as natural killer pathways including killer cell lectin-like receptors family, as well as granzymes and T-cell receptors, which play important roles in host defense. These results support the idea that sleep loss can lead to alterations in molecular processes that result in perturbation of cellular immunity, induction of inflammatory responses, and homeostatic imbalance. Moreover, expression of multiple genes was downregulated following PW and upregulated after SR compared with PW, suggesting an attempt of the body to re-establish internal homeostasis. In silico validation of alterations in the expression of CETN3, DNAJC, and CEACAM genes confirmed previous findings related to the molecular effects of sleep deprivation. Thus, the present findings confirm that the effects of sleep loss are not restricted to the brain and can occur intensely in peripheral tissues.

Application of hydrophobic silica based aerogels and xerogels for removal of toxic organic compounds from aqueous solutions.

This work is devoted to the application of hydrophobic silica based aerogels and xerogels for the removal of three toxic organic compounds from aqueous solutions. These materials were tested and characterized regarding their morphology, particle size distribution, surface area and porous structure. The equilibrium tests were carried out at different adsorbate concentrations and the experimental data were correlated by means of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The equilibrium data were well described by Langmuir and Freundlich in most cases. The maximum adsorption capacity by Langmuir model was observed for the adsorption of benzene onto aerogel (192.31 mg/g), though the most promising results were obtained for toluene adsorption due to the greater adsorption energy involved. Comparing these results with other reported results, the hydrophobic silica based aerogels/xerogels were found to exhibit a remarkable performance for the removal of benzene and toluene. In addition, the regeneration of previously saturated aerogel/toluene was also investigated by using an ozonation process. The adsorption/regeneration tests with ozone oxidation showed that the aerogel might be regenerated, nevertheless the materials lost their hydrophobicity and thus different methods should be evaluated in forthcoming investigations.

Dopamine transporter regulation during four nights of REM sleep deprivation followed by recovery--an in vivo molecular imaging study in humans.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of total or selective REM sleep deprivation on the dopamine transporter (DAT) densities and sleep patterns of healthy volunteers. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Evaluation of polysomnography recordings and DAT density after 4 nights of selective REM sleep deprivation followed by 3 nights of sleep recovery compared to a control group and a group that was subjected to 2 nights of total sleep deprivation. Single positron emission computed tomography and [99mTc]TRODAT-1 were used to assess the cerebral DAT density in the striatum at baseline, after REM sleep deprivation and total sleep deprivation as well as after sleep recovery. Blood was collected daily to examine prolactin and estradiol levels, which were correlated with dopaminergic activity. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Thirty healthy male volunteers ranging from 19 to 29 years of age were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups after giving written informed consent (10 non-sleep deprived, 10 total sleep deprived, and 10 REM sleep deprived). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Four nights of REM sleep deprivation and 2 nights of total sleep deprivation induced distinct and heterogeneous patterns of sleep recovery. No significant modulation of DAT availability was observed within groups. In the recovery nights, changes in cortisol, prolactin and estradiol concentrations were significantly correlated with specific sleep stages in the total and REM sleep deprived groups. In addition, DAT density was positively correlated with estradiol concentration and inversely associated with SWS latency only after total sleep deprivation. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that although sleep deprivation did not promote significant alterations in DAT density within the striatum, there were significant correlations among transporter availability, hormonal concentrations and sleep parameters.

Goat milk free fatty acid characterization during conventional and ohmic heating pasteurization.

The disruption of the milk fat globule membrane can lead to an excessive accumulation of free fatty acids in milk, which is frequently associated with the appearance of rancid flavors. Solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography techniques have been shown to be useful tools in the quantification of individual free fatty acids in dairy products providing enough sensitivity to detect levels of rancidity in milk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the short-chain and medium-chain free fatty acid profile in i) raw untreated goat milk; ii) raw goat milk passing through pumps and heating units (plate-and-frame heat exchanger and ohmic heater); and iii) processed goat milk by conventional and ohmic pasteurization to determine the influence of each treatment in the final quality of the milk. Multivariate statistical analysis has shown that the treatments studied were not responsible for the variability found on free fatty acid contents. In particular, it was possible to conclude that ohmic pasteurization at 72 degrees C for 15 s did not promote an extended modification of free fatty acid contents in goat milk when compared with that of conventional pasteurization. Furthermore, principal component analysis showed that the capric acid can be used to discriminate goat's milk with different free fatty acid concentrations. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed evidence of the existence of correlations between contents of short and medium chain free fatty acids in goat milk.

The reciprocal interaction between sleep and type 2 diabetes mellitus: facts and perspectives

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease characterized by intolerance to glucose and peripheral resistance to insulin. This endocrine disease affects fundamental mechanisms of the central nervous system and jeopardizes the balance of vital functions such as the cardiovascular and circadian rhythm. The increased prevalence of metabolic disorders in our society is aggravated by endemic voluntary postponement of bedtime and by the current sedentary lifestyle, leading to epidemic proportions of obese people. Diabetes and chronic loss of sleep share the fact that both affect millions and one is detrimental to the other. Indeed, sleep deficits have marked modulatory effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity and foster metabolic syndrome that culminates in sleep disorders like restless syndrome and sleep apnea, which in turn lead to poor sleep quality. We examine the hypothesis that these two worldwide emerging disorders are due to two interlinked cycles. In our paradigm, we establish an intimate relationship between diabetes and sleep disturbances and postulate possible mechanisms that provide support for this conjecture. In addition, we propose some perspectives about the development of the reciprocal interaction between predictor components of metabolic syndrome and sleep disturbances that lead to poor sleep quality. The ability to predict the development and identify or associate a given mode of sleep disturbance to diabetes would be a valuable asset in the assessment of both. Furthermore, major advances in care coupled with healthy lifestyles can ensure a higher quality of life for people with diabetes.

Effects of cocaine, methamphetamine and modafinil challenge on sleep rebound after paradoxical sleep deprivation in rats

Sleep loss is both common and critically relevant to our society and might lead to the abuse of psychostimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine and modafinil. Since psychoactive substance abuse often occurs within a scenario of sleep deficit, the purpose of this investigation was to compare the sleep patterns of rats challenged with cocaine (7 mg/kg, ip), methamphetamine (7 mg/kg, ip), or modafinil (100 mg/kg, ip) subsequent to paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) for 96 h. Our results show that, immediately after 96 h of PSD, rats (10 per group) that were injected with a psychostimulant presented lower percentages of paradoxical sleep compared to those injected with saline (P < 0.01). Regarding slow wave sleep (SWS), rats injected with psychostimulants after PSD presented a late rebound (on the second night subsequent to the injection) in the percentage of this phase of sleep when compared to PSD rats injected with saline (P < 0.05). In addition, the current study has produced evidence of the characteristic effect of each drug on sleep architecture. Home cage control rats injected with modafinil and methamphetamine showed a reduction in SWS compared with the saline group. Methamphetamine affected sleep patterns most, since it significantly reduced paradoxical sleep, SWS and sleep efficiency before and after PSD compared to control (P < 0.05). Cocaine was the psychostimulant causing the least changes in sleep pattern in relation to those observed after saline injection. Therefore, our results suggest that abuse of these psychostimulants in a PSD paradigm aggravates their impact on sleep patterns.

Effects of cocaine, methamphetamine and modafinil challenge on sleep rebound after paradoxical sleep deprivation in rats.

Sleep loss is both common and critically relevant to our society and might lead to the abuse of psychostimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine and modafinil. Since psychoactive substance abuse often occurs within a scenario of sleep deficit, the purpose of this investigation was to compare the sleep patterns of rats challenged with cocaine (7 mg/kg, ip), methamphetamine (7 mg/kg, ip), or modafinil (100 mg/kg, ip) subsequent to paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) for 96 h. Our results show that, immediately after 96 h of PSD, rats (10 per group) that were injected with a psychostimulant presented lower percentages of paradoxical sleep compared to those injected with saline (P < 0.01). Regarding slow wave sleep (SWS), rats injected with psychostimulants after PSD presented a late rebound (on the second night subsequent to the injection) in the percentage of this phase of sleep when compared to PSD rats injected with saline (P < 0.05). In addition, the current study has produced evidence of the characteristic effect of each drug on sleep architecture. Home cage control rats injected with modafinil and methamphetamine showed a reduction in SWS compared with the saline group. Methamphetamine affected sleep patterns most, since it significantly reduced paradoxical sleep, SWS and sleep efficiency before and after PSD compared to control (P < 0.05). Cocaine was the psychostimulant causing the least changes in sleep pattern in relation to those observed after saline injection. Therefore, our results suggest that abuse of these psychostimulants in a PSD paradigm aggravates their impact on sleep patterns.

The reciprocal interaction between sleep and type 2 diabetes mellitus: facts and perspectives.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease characterized by intolerance to glucose and peripheral resistance to insulin. This endocrine disease affects fundamental mechanisms of the central nervous system and jeopardizes the balance of vital functions such as the cardiovascular and circadian rhythm. The increased prevalence of metabolic disorders in our society is aggravated by endemic voluntary postponement of bedtime and by the current sedentary lifestyle, leading to epidemic proportions of obese people. Diabetes and chronic loss of sleep share the fact that both affect millions and one is detrimental to the other. Indeed, sleep deficits have marked modulatory effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity and foster metabolic syndrome that culminates in sleep disorders like restless syndrome and sleep apnea, which in turn lead to poor sleep quality. We examine the hypothesis that these two worldwide emerging disorders are due to two interlinked cycles. In our paradigm, we establish an intimate relationship between diabetes and sleep disturbances and postulate possible mechanisms that provide support for this conjecture. In addition, we propose some perspectives about the development of the reciprocal interaction between predictor components of metabolic syndrome and sleep disturbances that lead to poor sleep quality. The ability to predict the development and identify or associate a given mode of sleep disturbance to diabetes would be a valuable asset in the assessment of both. Furthermore, major advances in care coupled with healthy lifestyles can ensure a higher quality of life for people with diabetes.

Influence of multiple clinical use on fatigue resistance of ProTaper rotary nickel-titanium instruments.

AIM: To examine the influence of clinical use on the occurrence of deformation and fracture and on the fatigue resistance of ProTaper rotary instruments. METHODOLOGY: Root canal treatments were performed on patients using the ProTaper rotary system. Ten sets of instruments were used by an experienced endodontist, each set in five molars. Another 10 sets of instruments were used by the same operator, each set in eight molars. In addition, 10 sets of instruments were used, each set in five molars, by undergraduate students with no clinical experience with the system. After clinical use, S1, S2, F1 and F2 instruments were analysed for damage by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The used sets, along with a control group of 12 sets of new instruments, were then tested in a bench device for fatigue resistance. RESULTS: The use of the ProTaper rotary instruments by an experienced endodontist allowed for the cleaning and shaping of the root canal system of up to eight molars without fracture. During the students work, six instruments fractured. Fatigue resistance decreased upon clinical use for all instruments analysed. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue resistance of used instruments was reduced, but no significant change was observed amongst the instruments used for shaping the canals of five and eight molars. Operator experience affected the occurrence of fracture and plastic deformation during shaping.

Sleep deprivation reduces the lymphocyte count in a non-obese mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus

The objective of the present study was to determine whether sleep deprivation (SD) would promote changes in lymphocyte numbers in a type 1 diabetes model (non-obese diabetic, NOD, mouse strain) and to determine whether SD would affect female and male NOD compared to Swiss mice. The number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood after 24 and 96 h of SD (by multiple platform method) or equivalent period of time in home-cage controls was examined prior to the onset of diabetes. SD for 96 h significantly reduced lymphocytes in male Swiss mice compared to control (8.6 ± 2.1 vs 4.1 ± 0.7 10³/æL; P < 0.02). In male NOD animals, 24- and 96-h SD caused a significant decrease of lymphocytes compared to control (4.4 ± 0.3 vs 1.6 ± 0.5; P < 0.001 and 4.4 ± 0.3 vs 0.9 ± 0.1 10³/æL; P < 0.00001, respectively). Both 24- and 96-h SD induced a reduction in the number of lymphocytes in female Swiss (7.5 ± 0.5 vs 4.5 ± 0.5, 4.4 ± 0.6 10³/æL; P < 0.001, respectively) and NOD mice (4 ± 0.6 vs 1.8 ± 0.2, 1.2 ± 0.4 10³/æL; P < 0.01, respectively) compared to the respective controls. Loss of sleep induced lymphopenia in peripheral blood in both genders and strains used. Since many cases of autoimmunity present reduced numbers of lymphocytes and, in this study, it was more evident in the NOD strain, our results suggest that SD should be considered a risk factor in the onset of autoimmune disorders.

Sleep deprivation reduces the lymphocyte count in a non-obese mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The objective of the present study was to determine whether sleep deprivation (SD) would promote changes in lymphocyte numbers in a type 1 diabetes model (non-obese diabetic, NOD, mouse strain) and to determine whether SD would affect female and male NOD compared to Swiss mice. The number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood after 24 and 96 h of SD (by multiple platform method) or equivalent period of time in home-cage controls was examined prior to the onset of diabetes. SD for 96 h significantly reduced lymphocytes in male Swiss mice compared to control (8.6 +/- 2.1 vs 4.1 +/- 0.7 10(3)/microL; P < 0.02). In male NOD animals, 24- and 96-h SD caused a significant decrease of lymphocytes compared to control (4.4 +/- 0.3 vs 1.6 +/- 0.5; P < 0.001 and 4.4 +/- 0.3 vs 0.9 +/- 0.1 10(3)/microL; P < 0.00001, respectively). Both 24- and 96-h SD induced a reduction in the number of lymphocytes in female Swiss (7.5 +/- 0.5 vs 4.5 +/- 0.5, 4.4 +/- 0.6 10(3)/microL; P < 0.001, respectively) and NOD mice (4 +/- 0.6 vs 1.8 +/- 0.2, 1.2 +/- 0.4 10(3)/microL; P < 0.01, respectively) compared to the respective controls. Loss of sleep induced lymphopenia in peripheral blood in both genders and strains used. Since many cases of autoimmunity present reduced numbers of lymphocytes and, in this study, it was more evident in the NOD strain, our results suggest that SD should be considered a risk factor in the onset of autoimmune disorders.

The simple SDD.

We describe the fabrication and characterisation of the SIMPLE superheated droplet detector, a 10 g active mass device of C(2)ClF(5) in 1-3% weight concentrations currently employed in a direct search for spin-dependent astroparticle dark matter candidates.