Mechano-Chemical Coupling in Living Organisms and Possible Road Map of Mechanomedicine / 医用生物力学

In view of fundamental challenges to the current life and medical researches, this paper analyzes the mechano-chemical coupling behaviors of living organisms at molecular, sub-cellular, cellular and tissue levels, attempting to explain the quantitative relationships in those mechano-chemical coupling behaviors at different scales. These quantitative relationships show that the structures of living organisms at various scales are closely related to their tensional homeostasis, i. e. , the structural changes will inevitably lead to the changes of tensional homeostasis; Conversely, the changes of the tensional homeostasis will inevitably lead to structural changes. The tensional homeostasis in living organisms stems from contractile force in actin cytoskeleton generated by the action of myosin II at molecular level, and the tensional homeostasis at higher structural levels is realized with the help of hierarchical structures of the living organisms. Therefore, the mechano-chemical coupling mechanisms and their corresponding quantitative relationships inspire scientists to develop a new way of understanding and dealing with diseases, called as mechanomedicine. Finally, the paper discusses possible ways / road maps of mechanomedicine to understand and treat diseases, in order to provide diagnostic and therapeutic ideas for this new medical paradigm.

Polarization and Arrangement of Epithelial Cells in the Embryonic Development of Drosophila / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the polarization and arrangement of epithelial cells in the embryonic development of drosophila. Methods A finite element model was established to simulate the development of drosophila egg, and an ABAQUS UMAT user subroutine that describes the growth of materials was developed. The developmental process of the stages 8 (S8) to the initial state of the stage 10 (S10) was simulated， and the direction of principal stress and the distribution of the in-plane maximum shear stress (MSS) in the epithelial cell layer was analyzed, in order to predict the polarization and arrangement of the epithelial cells. Results The orientation of the epithelial cells was consistent with the direction of the maximum principal stress, and the aspect ratio of cells was proportional to the magnitude of the MSS. Conclusions The polarization and arrangement of the epithelial cells are controlled by the stress state in the tissues.

Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance / 基础医学与临床

The metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder of several metabolic abnormalities,which represents a risk factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.Insulin resistance seems to play a significant role in pathoyenesis of metabolic syndrome.Many issues concerning definition,pathophysiology and optimal treatment of metabolic syndrome are reviewed in this article.