Esophageal morphometric and biomechanical changes during aging in rats

The term "Esophagiome" is meant to imply a holistic, multiscale treatment of esophageal function from cellular and muscle physiology to the mechanical responses that transport and mix fluid contents. The development and application of multiscale mathematical models of esophageal function are central to the Esophagiome concept. These model elements underlie the development of a "virtual esophagus" modeling framework to characterize and analyze function and disease by quantitatively contrasting normal and pathophysiological function. Functional models incorporate anatomical details with sensory-motor properties and functional responses, especially related to biomechanical functions, such as bolus transport and gastrointestinal fluid mixing. This brief review provides insight into Esophagiome research. Future advanced models can provide predictive evaluations of the therapeutic consequences of surgical and endoscopic treatments and will aim to facilitate clinical diagnostics and treatment.

Section: The Physiome and The Esophagiomementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Toward a Virtual Esophagusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Toward a Virtual Esophagusmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Esophagiome: concept, status, and future perspectives

Gregersen

Liao

Brasseur

2016

“…Experimental studies on a number of species were conducted to characterize the passive properties of the esophagus, which were utilized to develop FEM models of the passive response to distensions . Detailed morphometric and mechanical data exist in multilayer models of the esophagus from animal studies . In addition, a number of morphometric–mechanical studies were done on various disease models in animals, providing geometric data .…”

Section: The Virtual Esophagusmentioning

confidence: 99%

The virtual esophagus: investigating esophageal functions in silico

Yassi

Gregersen

et al. 2016

Esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) diseases are highly prevalent worldwide and are a significant socioeconomic burden. Recently, applications of multiscale mathematical models of the upper gastrointestinal tract have gained attention. These in silico investigations can contribute to the development of a virtual esophagus modeling framework as part of the larger GIome and Physiome initiatives. There are also other modeling investigations that have potential screening and treatment applications. These models incorporate detailed anatomical models of the esophagus and GEJ, tissue biomechanical properties and bolus transport, sensory properties, and, potentially, bioelectrical models of the neural and myogenic pathways of esophageal and GEJ functions. A next step is to improve the integration between the different components of the virtual esophagus, encoding standards, and simulation environments to perform more realistic simulations of normal and pathophysiological functions. Ultimately, the models will be validated and will provide predictive evaluations of the effects of novel endoscopic, surgical, and pharmaceutical treatment options and will facilitate the clinical translation of these treatments.

“…A great deal of research has been carried out specific to the esophageal mechanics and physiology using mathematical and computer modeling. Significant research in this regard has been published by many interdisciplinary groups . However, much of this research has not yet been integrated into the clinical sciences in gastroenterology, where the greatest potential impact might be realized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The esophagiome: integrated anatomical, mechanical, and physiological analysis of the esophago‐gastric segment

Zhao

McMahon

Fox

et al. 2018

Esophageal diseases are highly prevalent and carry significant socioeconomic burden. Despite the apparently simple function of the esophagus, we still struggle to better understand its physiology and pathophysiology. The assessment of large data sets and application of multiscale mathematical organ models have gained attention as part of the Physiome Project. This has long been recognized in cardiology but has only recently gained attention for the gastrointestinal(GI) tract. The term "esophagiome" implies a holistic assessment of esophageal function, from cellular and muscle physiology to the mechanical responses that transport and mix fluid contents. These anatomical, mechanical, and physiological models underlie the development of a "virtual esophagus" modeling framework to characterize and analyze function and disease. Functional models incorporate anatomical details with sensory-motor responses, especially related to biomechanical functions such as bolus transport. Our review builds on previous reviews and focuses on assessment of detailed anatomical and geometric data using advanced imaging technology for evaluation of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and on esophageal mechanophysiology assessed using technologies that distend the esophagus. Integration of mechanics- and physiology-based analysis is a useful characteristic of the esophagiome. Experimental data on pressures and geometric characteristics are useful for the validation of mathematical and computer models of the esophagus that may provide predictions of novel endoscopic, surgical, and pharmaceutical treatment options.