New Trends in Biomimetics for Life-Sciences

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Life Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 775

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Engineering Faculty, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani 50, 80146 Naples, Italy
Interests: composites; polymerization; biomaterial science; sintering; polymers; biomaterials; materials; materials engineering; nanocomposites; material characterization

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Guest Editor
Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB-CNR), National Research Council, Piazzale E. Fermi 1, 80055 Portici, Italy
Interests: functional materials; graphene; nanocomposites; polymer-embedded nanostructures
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Materias s.r.l., Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 50-80146 Naples, Italy
Interests: materials science research and technology transfer; polymeric materials for life-sciences applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The physical world, where human existence takes place, has a partially natural and partially artificial origin; consequently, it could be imagined as the interpenetration region between these two worlds. The natural world (e.g., living organisms) self-generated according to the evolution law, unlike the artificial world, which is the product of the human intelligence. Physical problems and related solutions (found by man or in nature) are present both in the artificial and natural worlds. Nature has spent millions of years optimally solving living creatures’ existential problems, and, therefore, it is useful to use natural solutions for artificial-world problems. Many modern technologies can have symmetric problems (i.e., be analogous with respect to something) in nature that have already been solved by evolution. The biomimetic approach exploits the solutions that nature has found over millions of years to solve those ‘symmetric’ problems found in modern technologies. The symmetric element that creates a bridge between the natural and artificial cases is the problem type. Although referring to different contexts, symmetric problems have a similar solution. For example, in the field of life-sciences, a natural tool named ‘stinger’ is used by bees to inject a toxin into the body of a threatening living species. With respect to the medical problem of injecting a drug into the skin, a symmetric solution can be to fabricate a hollow–sharp–rigid object, which is similar to a sting. Steel needles represent the solution of the symmetric problem in an artificial context. Many other biomimetical examples can be found in the field of life-sciences; however, biomimetics is a universal approach that can be adopted in all technologies. Biomimetics produces a concept of ‘fundamental knowledge’ that is successively transformed in concrete technological innovations (e.g., microneedle patches). The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect contributions of biomimetic types from scholars involved in the field of life-sciences research/innovation.

Prof. Dr. Luigi Nicolais
Dr. Gianfranco Carotenuto
Dr. Aniello Cammarano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • biomimetics
  • life-sciences
  • microneedle patches
  • functional biomaterials
  • biomedical nanomaterials
  • bio-inspired sensors
  • sustainable devices

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 3828 KiB  
Article
Restoring Hip Symmetry and Its Impact on Outcomes: A Case Series on Megaprosthesis Use in Non-Oncological Patients with Complications After Total Hip Arthroplasty
by Serban Dragosloveanu, Bogdan-Sorin Capitanu, Mihnea Nicolae Moise, Diana Elena Vulpe, Radu Josanu, Mihai Emanuel Gherghe, Emi Marinela Preda, Romica Cergan and Cristian Scheau
Symmetry 2025, 17(3), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17030322 - 21 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly performed for conditions like osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, hip fractures, and hip dysplasia. Complications following THA can result in major proximal femoral defects (MPFD), which are challenging to manage. Megaprostheses provide a solution, offering stability and early weight-bearing, [...] Read more.
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly performed for conditions like osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, hip fractures, and hip dysplasia. Complications following THA can result in major proximal femoral defects (MPFD), which are challenging to manage. Megaprostheses provide a solution, offering stability and early weight-bearing, though they present their own challenges. However, maintaining hip symmetry with megaprostheses is challenging in accurately restoring femoral offset, acetabular orientation, and soft tissue tension. These factors can contribute to instability, altered biomechanics, and functional impairment. Therefore, achieving hip symmetry through femoral and acetabular offset, limb length discrepancy (LLD), and center of rotation (COR) is an important consideration. Achieving proper symmetry may improve gait, quality of life, and overall outcomes. This case series includes 10 patients with non-tumoral pathology treated with megaprostheses for complications after THA between 2014 and 2024. Megaprosthesis conversion was performed for sepsis (n = 2), aseptic loosening (n = 4), and periprosthetic fracture (n = 4). Dislocation occurred in 20%, with one case showing restored hip symmetry but dislocating due to trauma and noncompliance. Another case had an LLD of 3 cm, contributing to dislocation. Periprosthetic infection was observed in 20%, managed with a two-stage approach. Although hip symmetry was not fully restored in all patients, strict follow-up and rehabilitation were essential for improving functionality and quality of life. Megaprosthesis is an effective solution for MPFD in non-oncological patients when performed correctly. Restoring hip symmetry is challenging and depends on patient care and compliance, though it is an important factor influencing outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Biomimetics for Life-Sciences)
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