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Symmetry
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Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications
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Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Life Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2022) | Viewed by 16742

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Eleuterio F. Toro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Applied Mathematics DICAM, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
Interests: evolutionary differential equations; fluid dynamics; computational algorithms; industrial; environmental and medical applications; haemodynamics and neurovascular physiopathologies
Prof. Dr. Fuyou Liang

E-Mail
Guest Editor
School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: cardiovascular hemodynamics; computational modeling; medical device

Special Issue Information

It is a pleasure to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue concerned with biofluids in medicine. The emphasis is on mathematical models, computational methods, and ambitious applications of clinical relevance in any physiopathology that involves the dynamics of bodily fluids. Contributions reporting original, unpublished research or comprehensive reviews on specific topics are welcome. They may include the construction of basic models and the development of novel computational techniques as well as the utilization of existing computational models aimed at understanding basic physiology or describe clinical studies aimed at designing protocols or medical devices. Contributions on experimental measurements that support the construction of mathematical and computational models are also welcome.

Holistic approaches are strongly encouraged, in which anatomical and functional connections amongst different fluid compartments are recognized. Fluid systems of special interest are blood (arterial, venous, and microcirculation), cerebrospinal fluid, interstitial fluid, the lymphatic system, the urinary system, the respiratory system, ocular fluids, to name but a few. Diseases of interest include cardiovascular diseases and neurological diseases. Contributions on the physiology and pathology of specific organs, such as the heart, the eye, the ear, the kidney, the lungs, the brain, and the spinal cord, are encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Eleuterio F. Toro
Prof. Dr. Fuyou Liang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Biofluids
  • medicine
  • mathematical models
  • computational methods
  • blood
  • lymph
  • cerebrospinal fluid
  • organs
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • neurological diseases

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 5784 KiB  
Article
Effect of Pulsatility on the Transport of Thrombin in an Idealized Cerebral Aneurysm Geometry
by Struan Hume, Jean-Marc Ilunga Tshimanga, Patrick Geoghegan, Arnaud G. Malan, Wei Hua Ho and Malebogo N. Ngoepe
Symmetry 2022, 14(1), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14010133 - 11 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1919
Abstract
Computational models of cerebral aneurysm thrombosis are designed for use in research and clinical applications. A steady flow assumption is applied in many of these models. To explore the accuracy of this assumption a pulsatile-flow thrombin-transport computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, which uses [...] Read more.
Computational models of cerebral aneurysm thrombosis are designed for use in research and clinical applications. A steady flow assumption is applied in many of these models. To explore the accuracy of this assumption a pulsatile-flow thrombin-transport computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, which uses a symmetrical idealized aneurysm geometry, was developed. First, a steady-flow computational model was developed and validated using data from an in vitro experiment, based on particle image velocimetry (PIV). The experimental data revealed an asymmetric flow pattern in the aneurysm. The validated computational model was subsequently altered to incorporate pulsatility, by applying a data-derived flow function at the inlet boundary. For both the steady and pulsatile computational models, a scalar function simulating thrombin generation was applied at the aneurysm wall. To determine the influence of pulsatility on thrombin transport, the outputs of the steady model were compared to the outputs of the pulsatile model. The comparison revealed that in the pulsatile case, an average of 10.2% less thrombin accumulates within the aneurysm than the steady case for any given time, due to periodic losses of a significant amount of thrombin-concentrated blood from the aneurysm into the parent vessel’s bloodstream. These findings demonstrate that pulsatility may change clotting outcomes in cerebral aneurysms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications)
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24 pages, 1207 KiB  
Article
Total Effective Vascular Compliance of a Global Mathematical Model for the Cardiovascular System
by Morena Celant, Eleuterio F. Toro and Lucas O. Müller
Symmetry 2021, 13(10), 1858; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13101858 - 03 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3588
Abstract
In this work, we determined the total effective vascular compliance of a global closed-loop model for the cardiovascular system by performing an infusion test of 500 mL of blood in four minutes. Our mathematical model includes a network of arteries and veins where [...] Read more.
In this work, we determined the total effective vascular compliance of a global closed-loop model for the cardiovascular system by performing an infusion test of 500 mL of blood in four minutes. Our mathematical model includes a network of arteries and veins where blood flow is described by means of a one-dimensional nonlinear hyperbolic PDE system and zero-dimensional models for other cardiovascular compartments. Some mathematical modifications were introduced to better capture the physiology of the infusion test: (1) a physiological distribution of vascular compliance and total blood volume was implemented, (2) a nonlinear representation of venous resistances and compliances was introduced, and (3) main regulatory mechanisms triggered by the infusion test where incorporated into the model. By means of presented in silico experiment, we show that effective total vascular compliance is the result of the interaction between the assigned constant physical vascular compliance and the capacity of the cardiovascular system to adapt to new situations via regulatory mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications)
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66 pages, 6192 KiB  
Article
A Solution of the Junction Riemann Problem for 1D Hyperbolic Balance Laws in Networks including Supersonic Flow Conditions on Elastic Collapsible Tubes
by Javier Murillo and Pilar García-Navarro
Symmetry 2021, 13(9), 1658; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13091658 - 08 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1527
Abstract
The numerical modeling of one-dimensional (1D) domains joined by symmetric or asymmetric bifurcations or arbitrary junctions is still a challenge in the context of hyperbolic balance laws with application to flow in pipes, open channels or blood vessels, among others. The formulation of [...] Read more.
The numerical modeling of one-dimensional (1D) domains joined by symmetric or asymmetric bifurcations or arbitrary junctions is still a challenge in the context of hyperbolic balance laws with application to flow in pipes, open channels or blood vessels, among others. The formulation of the Junction Riemann Problem (JRP) under subsonic conditions in 1D flow is clearly defined and solved by current methods, but they fail when sonic or supersonic conditions appear. Formulations coupling the 1D model for the vessels or pipes with other container-like formulations for junctions have been presented, requiring extra information such as assumed bulk mechanical properties and geometrical properties or the extension to more dimensions. To the best of our knowledge, in this work, the JRP is solved for the first time allowing solutions for all types of transitions and for any number of vessels, without requiring the definition of any extra information. The resulting JRP solver is theoretically well-founded, robust and simple, and returns the evolving state for the conserved variables in all vessels, allowing the use of any numerical method in the resolution of the inner cells used for the space-discretization of the vessels. The methodology of the proposed solver is presented in detail. The JRP solver is directly applicable if energy losses at the junctions are defined. Straightforward extension to other 1D hyperbolic flows can be performed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications)
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7 pages, 3356 KiB  
Article
Endotracheal Tubes Design: The Role of Tube Bending
by Talib Dbouk and Dimitris Drikakis
Symmetry 2021, 13(8), 1503; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13081503 - 16 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2230
Abstract
Endotracheal tubes (ETT) passed inside the human trachea witness tube bending at different angles, affecting the local fluid flow dynamics. This induces a variable mechanical ventilation performance across patients’ comfortability levels. Our understanding of the local fluid flow dynamics phenomena is thus crucial [...] Read more.
Endotracheal tubes (ETT) passed inside the human trachea witness tube bending at different angles, affecting the local fluid flow dynamics. This induces a variable mechanical ventilation performance across patients’ comfortability levels. Our understanding of the local fluid flow dynamics phenomena is thus crucial to enhance the maneuverability of ETT under operation. For the first time to our knowledge, we shed light on ETT through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the bending effect of ETT on the local airflow in volume-controlled mechanical ventilation. We considered an ETT with 180° arc bend configuration, including Murphy’s eye. We identified several flow phenomena associated with the bending, such as flow asymmetries, secondary flows, and vortex dynamics throughout the tube. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications)
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15 pages, 2263 KiB  
Article
Comparison between Single-Phase Flow Simulation and Multiphase Flow Simulation of Patient-Specific Total Cavopulmonary Connection Structures Assisted by a Rotationally Symmetric Blood Pump
by Tong Chen, Xudong Liu, Biao Si, Yong Feng, Huifeng Zhang, Bing Jia and Shengzhang Wang
Symmetry 2021, 13(5), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13050912 - 20 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2086
Abstract
To accurately assess the hemolysis risk of the ventricular assist device, this paper proposed a cell destruction model and the corresponding evaluation parameters based on multiphase flow. The single-phase flow and multiphase flow in two patient-specific total cavopulmonary connection structures assisted by a [...] Read more.
To accurately assess the hemolysis risk of the ventricular assist device, this paper proposed a cell destruction model and the corresponding evaluation parameters based on multiphase flow. The single-phase flow and multiphase flow in two patient-specific total cavopulmonary connection structures assisted by a rotationally symmetric blood pump (pump-TCPC) were simulated. Then, single-phase and multiphase cell destruction models were used to evaluate the hemolysis risk. The results of both cell destruction models indicated that the hemolysis risk in the straight pump-TCPC model was lower than that in the curved pump-TCPC model. However, the average and maximum values of the multiphase flow blood damage index (mBDI) were smaller than those of the single-phase flow blood damage index (BDI), but the average and maximum values of the multiphase flow particle residence time (mPRT) were larger than those of the single-phase flow particle residence time (PRT). This study proved that the multiphase flow method can be used to simulate the mechanical behavior of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) in a complex flow field and the multiphase flow cell destruction model had smaller estimates of the impact shear stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications)
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18 pages, 3098 KiB  
Article
Machine Learning-Based Pulse Wave Analysis for Early Detection of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using In Silico Pulse Waves
by Tianqi Wang, Weiwei Jin, Fuyou Liang and Jordi Alastruey
Symmetry 2021, 13(5), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13050804 - 05 May 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4228
Abstract
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is usually asymptomatic until rupture, which is associated with extremely high mortality. Consequently, the early detection of AAAs is of paramount importance in reducing mortality; however, most AAAs are detected by medical imaging only incidentally. The aim of [...] Read more.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is usually asymptomatic until rupture, which is associated with extremely high mortality. Consequently, the early detection of AAAs is of paramount importance in reducing mortality; however, most AAAs are detected by medical imaging only incidentally. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of machine learning-based pulse wave (PW) analysis for the early detection of AAAs using a database of in silico PWs. PWs in the large systemic arteries were simulated using one-dimensional blood flow modelling. A database of in silico PWs representative of subjects (aged 55, 65 and 75 years) with different AAA sizes was created by varying the AAA-related parameters with major impacts on PWs—identified by parameter sensitivity analysis—in an existing database of in silico PWs representative of subjects without AAAs. Then, a machine learning architecture for AAA detection was trained and tested using the new in silico PW database. The parameter sensitivity analysis revealed that the AAA maximum diameter and stiffness of the large systemic arteries were the dominant AAA-related biophysical properties considerably influencing the PWs. However, AAA detection by PW indexes was compromised by other non-AAA related cardiovascular parameters. The proposed machine learning model produced a sensitivity of 86.8 % and a specificity of 86.3 % in early detection of AAA from the photoplethysmogram PW signal measured in the digital artery with added random noise. The number of false positive and negative results increased with increasing age and decreasing AAA size, respectively. These findings suggest that machine learning-based PW analysis is a promising approach for AAA screening using PW signals acquired by wearable devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofluids in Medicine: Models, Computational Methods and Applications)
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