Pressure-induced pH changes in aqueous solutions - On-line measurement and semi-empirical modelling approach

The main aim of this work is to investigate the effect of CO₂ and N₂O under pressure in aqueous solution - both on-line and in real-time. In particular, the paper presents the kinetics of pH behaviour of either slightly buffered minimal medium (MM) or non-buffered solution (Ringer solution) during high-pressure treatment at 5, 30 and 60 bar at 25 °C.An innovative spectrophotometric approach has been developed: an optical fiber conducted the inlet signal of a light source into the high-pressure reactor, while another fiber conducted the outlet signal to a spectrometer, thus, obtaining measurements on-line and real-time.CO₂ treatment resulted in a pH decrease down to 3.0 in Ringer solution with the equilibrium being reached after 800 s, while the slightly buffered MM allows only for a decrease down to 4.5 with equilibrium being reached after slightly more than 40 s at 60 bar.N₂O treatment, as expected, did not lead to any acidification of the treated medium at any conditions tested.Furthermore, a mathematical model describing both the solubilization kinetics of CO₂ and in aqueous solution and the decrease of extracellular pH has been implemented. This model may easily be applied to different reactor configurations. The theoretical results and the goodness of the fit has been verified using the experimental results showing a good accuracy of the complex phenomena with a simplification that is of vital relevance for technical processes.     

The use and nature of present-focused interventions in cognitive and behavioral therapies for depression.

To improve cognitive and behavioral therapies (CBT) for depression, several approaches recommend an increased focus on the occurrence of problems as they occur in the therapeutic relationship or in relation to the live therapy process, referred to as present-focused. A lingering question has been the degree to which CBT therapists already engage in present-focused work. This study utilized sessions from recent trials of CBT for depression and, in Phase I, raters identified present-focused interventions on a turn-by-turn basis. Phase II raters used a qualitative analysis to determine categories of present-focused interventions. Results indicated that therapists rarely focused on the therapeutic relationship; when they did, it was often transient and lacking in the elaborations suggested by newer approaches. Therapists more often performed therapy process and emotion focused interventions, but these also tended to lack elaboration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis of poly(ester amide)s composed of lactic acid and glycolic acid units by the bulk polycondensation of metal halide salts

Thermal polycondensation of the potassium salt of N‐methylchloroacetyl‐6‐aminohexanoic acid (LAHK) was found to be effective in the preparation of a new poly(ester amide) based on lactic acid units with a high yield and a moderate molecular weight. The reaction started in the solid state and proceeded through the formation of potassium chloride salt as the driving force. The use of a monomer having an amide linkage diminished the secondary reactions previously found in the synthesis of polylactide from 2‐halogenopropionates. The polymerization of potassium salt of N‐chloroacetyl‐6‐aminohexanoic acid (GAHK) took place in a similar temperature range as that of the 2‐chloropropionyl derivative; in this way, it was possible to conduct the copolymerization processes. The polymerization kinetics of LAHK and its mixture with GAHK was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The bulk polycondensation reaction was faster for GAHK than for LAHK, but the kinetic differences were not significant enough to prevent copolymerization at a temperature close to 160°C. Therefore, new degradable materials with tuned properties according to the glycolic acid/lactic acid content were obtained. ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy was useful for following the time evolution of the copolymerization process and for determining the final composition. Calorimetric data showed that all of the samples were thermally stable and that decreases in the melting temperature and enthalpy were observed at intermediate compositions. The existence of an eutectic point became proof that effective copolymerization was achieved in the thermal polycondensation process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43197.     

Platelet lysate and adipose mesenchymal stromal cells on silk fibroin nonwoven mats for wound healing

In this work platelet lysate (PL) and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) seeded on nonwoven fibroin mats were in vitro and in vivo evaluated for tissue regenerative applications. Nonwoven mats obtained by a large scale water entanglement technique were characterized for their physico‐chemical properties. Results indicated a high purity of fibroin fibers, their stability after sterilization process and appropriate technological properties suitable for tissue engineering. Moreover, the scaffolds in vitro supported adhesion and migration of ASCs and the presence of PL improved the cell proliferation. The products were then applied on epithelial/dermal wounds carried out on the dorsal surface of rabbit: the skin reparative process was solved in 9 days, with a completely restitutio ad integrum of the epithelium in animals treated with PL alone; ASCs did not further improve the wound healing. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42942.