Steady state electrolysis and isoelectric focusing

Abstract

The properties of pH gradients formed by stationary electrolysis of weak mobile or fixed electrolytes are analyzed. The model uses the appropriate balance equations and those of chemical equilibria. It is shown how the equation of the current density has to be modified for considering that fraction of current that is associated with the diffusion of neutral buffer molecules within a pH gradient. Furthermore it is shown that the pH gradients themselves give rise to water production within the gradient and that essential properties of the steady state are related to chemical reactions between the electrolyte constituents. The differential equations describing the gradients of the concentration of a given component, the pH, conductivity and potential are explicitly formulated in relation to those reactions. The equations are solved numerically and the significance of the results for isoelectric focusing is discussed. The experimental conditions to reach shallow and smooth pH gradients exhibiting sufficient ionic strength are formulated.

Electrolytic Treatment of Colorectal Liver Tumour Deposits in a Rat Model: A Technique with Potential for Patients with Unresectable Liver Tumours

“…Electrodes placed either in or directly adjacent to the Histology showed that in 17 rats 'electrolytic segmentectomy' resulted in destruction of the entire tumour de-tumours cause tumour cell death by the localised production and action of cytotoxic electrode products [34,35]. posit (7/11 left lobe and 10/11 right lobe).…”

Electrophoresis in gel channels

“…(3) with a term accounting for chemical conservations-provided the above definition of a i is used. This definition automatically ensures the conservation of the total concentration of a buffer constituent [17].…”

“…(2) the total concentration of a species is related to its charged fractions. It is possible to express a i as a function of pH only [16,17].…”

“…Because the equation system (1-4) is usually too complex to be handled analytically, we used a numerical model (see also [16][17][18] …”

Thermal ablation for unresectable liver tumours, time to move forward?

“…Electrolytic abla tion, also known as lowlevel direct current therapy, is an al ternative method which produces no change in temperature and exerts its effects through electrochemical and pH modi fications and the production of free radicals. These changes render the microenvironment close to the probe extremely cytotoxic, produce tissue necrosis and are not influenced to any large degree by the presence of blood vessels or bile ducts [39,40] . Due to the almost complete absence of thermal energy developed, the procedure has proved particularly safe in experimental studies where ablations were conduct ed close or even within major vessels (Figure 1) [4143] .…”