Design and fabrication of a hybrid alginate hydrogel/poly(ε-caprolactone) mold for auricular cartilage reconstruction

The aim of this study was to design and manufacture an easily assembled cartilage implant model for auricular reconstruction. First, the printing accuracy and mechanical properties of 3D-printed poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds with varying porosities were determined to assess overall material properties. Next, the applicability of alginate as cell carrier for the cartilage implant model was determined. Using the optimal outcomes of both experiments (in terms of (bio)mechanical properties, cell survival, neocartilage formation, and printing accuracy), a hybrid auricular implant model was developed. PCL scaffolds with 600 μm distances between strands exhibited the best mechanical properties and most optimal printing quality for further exploration. In alginate, chondrocytes displayed high cell survival (~83% after 21 days) and produced cartilage-like matrix in vitro. Alginate beads cultured in proliferation medium exhibited slightly higher compressive moduli (6 kPa) compared to beads cultured in chondrogenic medium (3.5 kPa, p >.05). The final auricular mold could be printed with 300 μm pores and high fidelity, and the injected chondrocytes survived the culture period of 21 days. The presented hybrid auricular mold appears to be an adequate model for cartilage tissue engineering and may provide a novel approach to auricular cartilage regeneration for facial reconstruction

Client and therapist initial experience of using mindfulness in therapy

Literature has demonstrated the influence of mindfulness practice on both clients and therapists; however, no literature has considered the experience of mindfulness in therapy from both members of the therapeutic dyad. The present study interviewed five separate therapy dyads (n=10) regarding their experience of first using mindfulness in session. Participants, both clients and therapists, had little-to-no experience with mindfulness prior to the study. Interview transcripts were analyzed and common themes were derived. Results indicated that both clients and therapist felt that the practice of mindfulness had an impact on the therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, participants also suggested ways in which therapists may better utilize mindfulness in therapy