Fracture is a common physical injury. Its healing process involves complex biological activities at tissue, cellular and molecular levels and is affected by mechanical and biological factors. Over recent years, numerical simulation methods have been widely used to explore the mechanisms of fracture healing, design fixators and develop novel treatment strategies, etc. This paper mainly recommend the numerical methods used for simulating fracture healing and their latest research progress, which helps people better understand the mechanism of fracture healing, and also provides direction and guidance for the numerical simulation research of fracture healing in the future. First, the fracture healing process and its relationship with mechanical stimulation and biological factors are described. Then, the numerical models used for simulating fracture healing (including mechano-regulatory model, biological regulatory model and mechano-biological regulatory model) and corresponding modeling techniques (mainly including agent-based techniques and fuzzy logic controlling method) were summarized in particular. Finally, the future research directions in numerical simulation of fracture healing were preliminarily prospected.
The dynamic coupling of stent degradation and vessel remodeling can influence not only the structural morphology and material property of stent and vessel, but also the development of in-stent restenosis. The research achievements of biomechanical modelling and analysis of stent degradation and vessel remodeling were reviewed; several noteworthy research perspectives were addressed, a stent-vessel coupling model was developed based on stent damage function and vessel growth function, and then concepts of matching ratio and risk factor were established so as to evaluate the treatment effect of stent intervention, which may lay the scientific foundation for the structure design, mechanical analysis and clinical application of biodegradable stent.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes that can lead to visual impairment or even blindness. Current treatments mainly rely on invasive methods, which carry the risk of complications, making early intervention crucial. In recent years, research has revealed that the mechanical microenvironment of the retina plays a key role in the development and progression of DR, involving cell migration, functional disorders, and changes in the extracellular matrix. Mechanobiological mechanisms, such as mechanical signal transduction and the Hippo/Yes-associated protein pathway, are gradually being uncovered. Mechanical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including optical coherence elastography, tissue engineering, and intelligent diagnostic systems, offer new directions for DR management. In the future, further integration of biomechanics and mechanobiology research is needed to build multi-scale mechanical models and explore the synergistic regulation mechanisms between mechanical and biochemical factors, aiming to achieve precise and personalized diagnosis and treatment of DR and ultimately improve patients’ visual outcomes.
Objective To review mechanobiological events during peripheral nerve development and the associated mechanotransduction mechanisms, with the aim of improving understanding of the potential mechanical basis underlying neurological diseases. Methods A comprehensive survey of recent domestic and international literature was conducted to systematically summarize advances in biomechanical research within the field of neuroscience. Results All three stages of peripheral nerve network development are regulated by distinct types of mechanical cues and are characterized by unique mechanobiological events. The sensing and response of neural cells to these mechanical stimuli depend on a range of mechanosensitive molecules. Through the coordinated action of these molecules, extracellular mechanical signals are transduced into intracellular biochemical signals via multiple mechanotransduction pathways, ultimately influencing cellular functions and behaviors. Conclusion Peripheral nerves exhibit a high degree of mechanosensitivity, enabling them to perceive and respond to the mechanical properties of their microenvironment and to adapt their functional states through mechanotransduction. This provides a theoretical basis for optimizing tension-reduction strategies in peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction, as well as for the design of nerve conduits and rehabilitation protocols involving mechanical stimulation.