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In the present study, we elucidate the behaviour of a suspension composed of magnetic disk-like particles that flow in a Hagen-Poiseuille flow in a gradient magnetic field and the trapping characteristics of the magnetic particles. To this end, we utilise multiple pairs of magnetic poles located outside the cylindrical system. Brownian dynamics simulations were performed in order to clarify the dependence of these characteristics on a variety of factors. It is seen that an increase in the magnetic field strength improves the trapping characteristics of disk-like particles if the influence of an applied magnetic field is sufficiently more dominant than that of a flow field and that of the magnetic particle-particle interaction. In the case of a strong magnetic particle-particle interaction, thin chain-like clusters are formed from an anchored particle trapped around a magnetic pole. If the two poles are sufficiently close to each other, an arch-type cluster is formed between them. We expect that this arch-type cluster may give rise to good trapping performance even in the presence of a strong flow field if the formation arises at a sufficiently large separation distance between the pair of magnetic poles. Highlights We have performed Brownian dynamics simulations for a magnetic disk-like particle suspension in a Hagen-Poiseuille flow. If the magnetic particle-particle interaction is sufficiently more dominant than the flow field, thin chain-like clusters are formed from an anchored particle. As the pole separation distance decreases, an arch-type configuration tends to be formed along the surface of the wall. This arch-type cluster that is formed between the pair of magnetic poles may be expected to improve the trapping characteristics depending on the pole separation distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have first investigated a feasibility of a malt-particle collision dynamics (MPCD) method by addressing whether or not the translational and rotational Brownian motion is activated at a physically reasonable level. From the results with respect to the root mean square velocities, we conclude that the MPCD method is a quite feasible simulation technique for a suspension composed of magnetic cubic particles. Then we have applied the MPCD simulation method to a quasi-2D system of magnetic cubic particles in order to control a regime change in the internal structure of particle aggregates by means of the strength and direction of a uniform applied magnetic field. In the case of a magnetic field applied in a certain direction from the 2D plane, a regime change in the internal structure of large densely-packed clusters into a regular configuration is more effectively attained than a magnetic field applied along the 2D plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity for tissue and organ regeneration in humans is dwarfed by comparison to that of salamanders. Emerging evidence suggests that mechanisms learned from the early phase of salamander limb regeneration-wound healing, cellular dedifferentiation and blastemal formation-will reveal therapeutic approaches for tissue regeneration in humans. Here we describe a unique transcriptional fingerprint of regenerating limb tissue in the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) that is indicative of cellular reprogramming of differentiated cells to a germline-like state. Two genes that are required for self-renewal of germ cells in mice and flies, Piwi-like 1 (PL1) and Piwi-like 2 (PL2), are expressed in limb blastemal cells, the basal layer keratinocytes and the thickened apical epithelial cap in the wound epidermis in the regenerating limb. Depletion of PL1 and PL2 by morpholino oligonucleotides decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death in the blastema leading to a significant retardation of regeneration. Examination of key molecules that are known to be required for limb development or regeneration further revealed that FGF8 is transcriptionally downregulated in the presence of the morpholino oligos, indicating PL1 and PL2 might participate in FGF signaling during limb regeneration. Given the requirement for FGF signaling in limb development and regeneration, the results suggest that PL1 and PL2 function to establish a unique germline-like state that is associated with successful regeneration.

The ability of adult vertebrates to repair tissue damage is widespread and impressive; however, the ability to regenerate structurally complex organs such as the limb is limited largely to the salamanders. The fact that most of the tissues of the limb can regenerate has led investigators to question and identify the barriers to organ regeneration. From studies in the salamander, it is known that one of the earliest steps required for successful regeneration involves signaling between nerves and the wound epithelium/apical epithelial cap (AEC). In this study we confirm an earlier report that the keratinocytes of the AEC acquire their function coincident with exiting the cell cycle. We have discovered that this unique, coordinated behavior is regulated by nerve signaling and is associated with the presence of gap junctions between the basal keratinocytes of the AEC. Disruption of nerve signaling results in a loss of gap junction protein, the reentry of the cells into the cell cycle, and regenerative failure. Finally, coordinated exit from the cell cycle appears to be a conserved behavior of populations of cells that function as signaling centers during both development and regeneration.

The ability of animals to repair tissue damage is widespread and impressive. Among tissues, the repair and remodeling of bone occurs during growth and in response to injury; however, loss of bone above a threshold amount is not regenerated, resulting in a "critical-size defect" (CSD). The development of therapies to replace or regenerate a CSD is a major focus of research in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Adult urodeles (salamanders) are unique in their ability to regenerate complex tissues perfectly, yet like mammals do not regenerate a CSD. We report on an experimental model for the regeneration of a CSD in the axolotl (the Excisional Regeneration Model) that allows for the identification of signals to induce fibroblast dedifferentiation and skeletal regeneration. This regenerative response is mediated in part by BMP signaling, as is the case in mammals; however, a complete regenerative response requires the induction of a population of undifferentiated, regeneration-competent cells. These cells can be induced by signaling from limb amputation to generate blastema cells that can be grafted to the wound, as well as by signaling from a nerve and a wound epithelium to induce blastema cells from fibroblasts within the wound environment.

Adult urodeles (salamanders) are unique in their ability to regenerate complex organs perfectly. The recently developed Accessory Limb Model (ALM) in the axolotl provides an opportunity to identify and characterize the essential signaling events that control the early steps in limb regeneration. The ALM demonstrates that limb regeneration progresses in a stepwise fashion that is dependent on signals from the wound epidermis, nerves and dermal fibroblasts from opposite sides of the limb. When all the signals are present, a limb is formed de novo. The ALM thus provides an opportunity to identify and characterize the signaling pathways that control blastema morphogenesis and limb regeneration. Our previous study provided data on cell contribution, cell migration and nerve dependency indicating that an ectopic blastema is equivalent to an amputation-induced blastema. In the present study, we have determined that formation of both ectopic blastemas and amputation-induced blastemas is regulated by the same molecular mechanisms, and that both types of blastema cells exhibit the same functions in controlling growth and pattern formation. We have identified and validated five marker genes for the early stages of wound healing, dedifferentiation and blastema formation, and have discovered that the expression of each of these markers is the same for both ectopic and amputation-induced blastemas. In addition, ectopic blastema cells interact coordinately with amputation-induced blastema cells to form a regenerated limb. Therefore, the ALM is appropriate for identifying the signaling pathways regulating the early events of tetrapod limb regeneration.