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Grizzi F, Spadaccini M, Chiriva-Internati M, Hegazi MAAA, Bresalier RS, Hassan C, Repici A, Carrara S. Fractal nature of human gastrointestinal system: Exploring a new era. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:4036-4052. [PMID: 37476585 PMCID: PMC10354580 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i25.4036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The morphological complexity of cells and tissues, whether normal or pathological, is characterized by two primary attributes: Irregularity and self-similarity across different scales. When an object exhibits self-similarity, its shape remains unchanged as the scales of measurement vary because any part of it resembles the whole. On the other hand, the size and geometric characteristics of an irregular object vary as the resolution increases, revealing more intricate details. Despite numerous attempts, a reliable and accurate method for quantifying the morphological features of gastrointestinal organs, tissues, cells, their dynamic changes, and pathological disorders has not yet been established. However, fractal geometry, which studies shapes and patterns that exhibit self-similarity, holds promise in providing a quantitative measure of the irregularly shaped morphologies and their underlying self-similar temporal behaviors. In this context, we explore the fractal nature of the gastrointestinal system and the potential of fractal geometry as a robust descriptor of its complex forms and functions. Additionally, we examine the practical applications of fractal geometry in clinical gastroenterology and hepatology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Grizzi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20072, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Spadaccini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Chiriva-Internati
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Mohamed A A A Hegazi
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Robert S Bresalier
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Cesare Hassan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20072, Milan, Italy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Repici
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20072, Milan, Italy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Carrara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano 20089, Milan, Italy
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Kharchenko NV, Cherdynceva TA, Netrusov AI. Development of lyophilization procedure ensuring survival of bifidobacteria and preservation of their probiotic potential upon long-term storage. Microbiology (Reading) 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261717020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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