Human laryngeal mucus from the vocal folds: Rheological characterization by particle tracking microrheology and oscillatory shear rheology

Peters G, Wendler O, Böhringer D, Gostian AO, Müller S, Canziani H, Hesse N, Semmler M, Berry DA, Kniesburges S, Peukert W, Döllinger M (2021)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Applied Sciences MDPI

Book Volume: 11

Article Number: 3011

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.3390/app11073011

Abstract

Mucus consistency affects voice physiology and is connected to voice disorders. Neverthe-less, the rheological characteristics of human laryngeal mucus from the vocal folds remain unknown. Knowledge about mucus viscoelasticity enables fabrication of artificial mucus with natural properties, more realistic ex-vivo experiments and promotes a better understanding and improved treatment of dysphonia with regard to mucus consistency. We studied human laryngeal mucus samples from the vocal folds with two complementary approaches: 19 samples were successfully applied to particle tracking microrheology (PTM) and five additional samples to oscillatory shear rheology (OSR). Mucus was collected by experienced laryngologists from patients together with demographic data. The analysis of the viscoelasticity revealed diversity among the investigated mucus samples according to their rigidity (absolute G’ and G”). Moreover some samples revealed throughout solid-like character (G’ > G”), whereas some underwent a change from solid-like to liquid-like (G’ < G”). This led to a subdivision into three groups. We assume that the reason for the differences is a variation in the hydration level of the mucus, which affects the mucin concentration and network formation factors of the mucin mesh. The demographic data could not be correlated to the differences, except for the smoking behavior. Mucus of predominant liquid-like character was associated with current smokers.

Authors with CRIS profile

Gregor Peters Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery David Böhringer Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Herbert Canziani Professur für Partikelsynthese Nicolas Hesse Sonderforschungsbereich 814/3 Additive Fertigung Marion Semmler Lehrstuhl für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde Stefan Kniesburges Lehrstuhl für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde Wolfgang Peukert Lehrstuhl für Feststoff- und Grenzflächenverfahrenstechnik Michael Döllinger Professur für Computational Medicine (DFG-Forschungsprofessur)

Related research project(s)

IInduced asymmetries in an excised larynx model: Impact of mucus characteristics on dynamics and acoustics (DO 1247/6-2) April 1, 2019 - Aug. 31, 2022

Involved external institutions

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Peters, G., Wendler, O., Böhringer, D., Gostian, A.O., Müller, S., Canziani, H.,... Döllinger, M. (2021). Human laryngeal mucus from the vocal folds: Rheological characterization by particle tracking microrheology and oscillatory shear rheology. Applied Sciences, 11(7). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app11073011

MLA:

Peters, Gregor, et al. "Human laryngeal mucus from the vocal folds: Rheological characterization by particle tracking microrheology and oscillatory shear rheology." Applied Sciences 11.7 (2021).

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