Diran Basmadjian

Bio: Diran Basmadjian is an academic researcher from University of Toronto. The author has contributed to research in topics: Adiabatic process & Superposition principle. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 24 publications receiving 750 citations.

The effect of flow and mass transport in thrombogenesis.

Abstract: The paper presents a mathematical analysis of the contributions of flow and mass transport to a single reactive event at a blood vessel wall. The intent is to prepare the ground for a comprehensive study of the intertwining of these contributions with the reaction network of the coagulation cascade. We show that in all vessels with local mural activity, or in “large” vessels (d>0.1 mm) with global reactivity, events at the tubular wall can be rigorously described by algebraic equations under steady conditions, or by ordinary differential forms (ODEs) during transient conditions. this opens up important ways for analyzing the combined roles of flow, transport, and coagulation reactions in thrombosis, a task hitherto considered to be completely intractable. We report extensively on the dependence of transport coefficient kL and mural coagulant concentration Cw on flow, vessel geometry, and reaction kinetics. It is shown that for protein transport, kL varies only weakly with shear rate $$\dot \gamma $$ in large vessels, and not at all in the smaller tubes (d<10−2 mm). For a typical protein, kL∼10−3 cm s−1 within a factor of 3 in most geometries, irrespective of the mural reaction kinetics. Significant reductions in kL (1/10–1/1,000) leading to high-coagulant accumulation are seen mainly in stagnant zones vicinal to abrupt expansions and in small elliptical tubules. This is in accord with known physical observations. More unexpected are the dramatic increases in accumulation which can come about through the intervention of an autocatalytic reaction step, with Cw rising sharply toward infinity as the ratio of reaction to transport coefficient approaches unity. Such self-catalyzed reactions have the ability to act as powerful amplifiers of an otherwise modest influence of flow and transport on coagulant concentration. The paper considers as well the effect on mass transport of transient conditions occasioned by coagulation initiation or pulsatile flow. During initiation, instantaneous flux varies with diffusivity and bulk concentration, favouring the early adsorption/consumption of proteins with the highest abundance and mobility. This is akin to the ‘Vroman effect’ seen in narrow, stagnant spaces. The effect of flow pulsatility on kL has the potential, after prolonged cycling, of bringing about segregation or accumulation of proteins, with consequences for the coagulation process.

Relationship between release rate and surface concentration for heparinized materials.

Abstract: Mathematical models are used to predict surface concentrations that result from the release of heparin into flowing blood and stagnant or well-mixed plasma. Two release rates--4 X 10(-2) and 3 X 10(-5) micrograms/cm2 min--are considered, which describe elution from an ionically heparinized material and from an immobilized heparin-PVA hydrogel, respectively. When heparin is released at the higher rate into blood flowing in cylindrical tubes with dimensions characteristic of the vasculature, or annular tubes representative of catheter experiments, a minimum surface concentration of 0.5 micrograms/mL is attained virtually at the tube inlet. Release at the lower rate requires tube lengths of several thousand meters to attain the same critical value. Similarly, heparin released from a suspension of beads at the higher rate leads to critical surface concentrations of 0.2 micrograms/mL within a fraction of a second in stagnant plasma, or ca. 5 s in a well-mixed environment. At the lower release rate, 45 or 100 min must elapse before the same level is achieved. These results support the validity of 4 X 10(-2) micrograms/cm2 min as a reasonable minimum release rate to produce a heparin microenvironment sufficient to prevent thrombosis. The lower rate is shown to be insufficient to generate a critical concentration, thus supporting the argument that heparin-PVA does not owe its biological activity to a heparin microenvironment. The model equations can be applied to the release of any material to determine surface concentrations.

Mass Transfer: Principles and Applications

Abstract: In recent years, the subject of mass transfer has been treated as a minor player in the larger field of transport phenomena and taken a back seat to its more mature "brother," heat transfer. Yet mass transfer is sufficiently mature as a discipline and sufficiently distinct from other transport processes to merit a separate treatment, particularly o

Adsorption Equilibrium of Methane, Carbon Dioxide, and Nitrogen on Zeolite 13X at High Pressures

Abstract: High-pressure adsorption of methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen on zeolite 13X was measured in the pressure range (0 to 5) MPa at (298, 308, and 323) K and fitted with the Toth and multisite Langmuir models. Isosteric heats of adsorption were (12.8, 15.3, and 37.2) kJ/mol for nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide respectively, which indicate a very strong adsorption of carbon dioxide. The preferential adsorption capacity of CO2 on zeolite 13X was much higher than for the other gases, indicating that zeolite 13X can be used for methane purification from natural gas or for carbon dioxide sequestration from flue gas.

Fluid Mechanics of Vascular Systems, Diseases, and Thrombosis

Abstract: The cardiovascular system is an internal flow loop with multiple branches circulating a complex liquid. The hallmarks of blood flow in arteries are pulsatility and branches, which cause wall stresses to be cyclical and nonuniform. Normal arterial flow is laminar, with secondary flows generated at curves and branches. Arteries can adapt to and modify hemodynamic conditions, and unusual hemodynamic conditions may cause an abnormal biological response. Velocity profile skewing can create pockets in which the wall shear stress is low and oscillates in direction. Atherosclerosis tends to localize to these sites and creates a narrowing of the artery lumen--a stenosis. Plaque rupture or endothelial injury can stimulate thrombosis, which can block blood flow to heart or brain tissues, causing a heart attack or stroke. This small lumen and elevated shear rate in a stenosis create conditions that accelerate platelet accumulation and occlusion. The relationship between thrombosis and fluid mechanics is complex, especially in the post-stenotic flow field. New convection models have been developed to predict clinical from platelet thrombosis in diseased arteries. Future hemodynamic studies should address the complex mechanics of flow-induced, large-scale wall motion and convection of semisolid particles and cells in flowing blood.

Review: Hydrogels for cell immobilization.

Abstract: Hydrogels are being investigated for mammalian cell immobilization. Their material properties can be engineered for biocompatibility, selective permeability, mechanical and chemical stability, and other requirements as specified by the application including uniform cell distribution and a given membrane thickness or mechanical strength. These aqueous gels are attractive for analytical and tissue engineering applications and can be used with immobilization in therapies for various diseases as well as to generate bioartificial organs. Recent advances have broadened the use of hydrogel cell immobilization in biomedical fields. To provide an overview of available technology, this review surveys the current developments in immobilization of mammalian cells in hydrogels. Discussions cover hydrogel requirements for use in adhesion, matrix entrapment, and microencapsulation, the respective processing methods, as well as current applications. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.