Erratum: “Seed layer technique for high quality epitaxial manganite films” [AIP Advances 6, 085109 (2016)]

No abstract available

Building bone tissue: matrices and scaffolds in physiology and biotechnology

Deposition of bone in physiology involves timed secretion, deposition and removal of a complex array of extracellular matrix proteins which appear in a defined temporal and spatial sequence. Mineralization itself plays a role in dictating and spatially orienting the deposition of matrix. Many aspects of the physiological process are recapitulated in systems of autologous or xenogeneic transplantation of osteogenic precursor cells developed for tissue engineering or modeling. For example, deposition of bone sialoprotein, a member of the small integrin-binding ligand, N-linked glycoprotein family, represents the first step of bone formation in ectopic transplantation systems in vivo. The use of mineralized scaffolds for guiding bone tissue engineering has revealed unexpected manners in which the scaffold and cells interact with each other, so that a complex interplay of integration and disintegration of the scaffold ultimately results in efficient and desirable, although unpredictable, effects. Likewise, the manner in which biomaterial scaffolds are "resorbed" by osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo highlights more complex scenarios than predicted from knowledge of physiological bone resorption per se. Investigation of novel biomaterials for bone engineering represents an essential area for the design of tissue engineering strategies

Magnetoresistance and energy model of Alq3-based spintronic devices

Spin transport in organic semiconductors has been receiving widespread attention since the first experimental demonstration of magnetoresistive effects (change in resistance under an applied magnetic field) in hybrid ferromagnetic/organic/ferromagnetic structures [1]. Continuous effort in the field has led to the realization, for example, of vertical organic spintronic devices with differ- ent organic semiconductor layers [2,3] or organic tunnel barriers [4]. However, there is still a lack of understanding on the mechanism that governs spin injection and transport in organics, leading to general disagreement even on the expected sign of the devices output magnetoresistance. With the aim to clarify the spin transport behaviour in organic semiconductors, we present new results on hybrid inorganic/organic spin valves with the most successful up-to-date combination of materials [2-6]. The highly spin polarized manganite La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 and Cobalt have been used as ferromagnetic electrodes for spin injection into thick layers (up to 200 nm) of tris(8-hydrox- yquinoline)aluminum(III) (Alq3). In a critical design improvement, we have for the first time intro- duced an artificial tunnel barrier (Al2O3 or LiF) between the organic and the Co top electrode to study its influence on spin injection into organic semiconductors and to improve the chemical sta- bility and reproducibility of the devices. In our manuscript we: explore the importance of artificial tunnel barriers for spin injection in organics, record room temperature magnetoresistance, demonstrate that only ferromagnetic elec- trodes and not organic semiconductor limit device output and, finally, sketch an energy diagram able to explain negative magnetoresistance in LSMO/Alq3/Co spin valves. Our work is a new step forward in organic spintronics, as we prove that organic semiconductors do not have a clear limit for room temperature performance with the adequate ferromagnets, and we present a reliable model that could be easily extrapolated to predict the output of different materi- als combinations in hybrid spin valves. [1] Dediu, V., Murgia, M., Matacotta, F.C., Taliani, C. & Barbanera, S. Sol. State Commun. 122, 181-184 (2002). [2] Xiong, Z.H., Wu, D., Vardeny, Z.V. & Shi, J. Nature 427, 821-824 (2004). [3] Majumdar, S., Majumdar, H.S., Laiho, R. & Osterbacka, R. J. Alloy & Compounds 423, 169-171 (2006). [4] Santos, T.S., Lee, J.S., Migdal, P., Lekshmi, I.C., Satpati, B. & Moodera, J.S. Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 016601 (2007). [5] Xu, W., Szulczewski, G.J., LeClair, P., Navarrete, I., Schad, R., Miao, G., Guo, H. & Gupta, A. Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 072506 (2007). [6] Hueso, L.E., Riminucci, A., Bergenti, I., Zhan, Y. & Dediu, V. Adv. Mater. 19, 2639-2642 (2007)

Tympano-mastoid cholesterol granuloma: case report and review of the literature

Cholesterol granuloma (CG) is a rare condition histological consisting of a foreign body, giant cell reaction to cholesterol crystals and haemosiderin derived from the ruptured of the erythrocytes. A 25-year-old man came to our Department presenting signs and symptoms of tympano-mastoid cholesterol granuloma. He showed all the specific sign and symptoms of the disease. However, considering the lack of literature regarding TMCG, this study was performed with the aim of presenting the main characteristics of tympano-mastoid CG, describing the case report and reviewing the literature

Recent advances in understanding Cushing disease: resistance to glucocorticoid negative feedback and somatic USP8 mutations

Cushing’s disease is a rare disease with a characteristic phenotype due to significant hypercortisolism driven by over-secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone and to high morbidity and mortality if untreated. It is caused by a corticotroph adenoma of the pituitary, but the exact mechanisms leading to tumorigenesis are not clear. Recent advances in molecular biology such as the discovery of somatic mutations of the ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 (USP8) gene allow new insights into the pathogenesis, which could be translated into exciting and much-needed therapeutic applications

From stem cells to bone-forming cells

Bone formation starts near the end of the embryonic stage of development and continues throughout life during bone modeling and growth, remodeling, and when needed, regeneration. Bone-forming cells, traditionally termed osteoblasts, produce, assemble, and control the mineralization of the type I collagen-enriched bone matrix while participating in the regulation of other cell processes, such as osteoclastogenesis, and metabolic activities, such as phosphate homeostasis. Osteoblasts are generated by different cohorts of skeletal stem cells that arise from different embryonic specifications, which operate in the pre-natal and/or adult skeleton under the control of multiple regulators. In this review, we briefly define the cellular identity and function of osteoblasts and discuss the main populations of osteoprogenitor cells identified to date. We also provide examples of long-known and recently recognized regulatory pathways and mechanisms involved in the specification of the osteogenic lineage, as assessed by studies on mice models and human genetic skeletal diseases

Issues of electronic devices in hostile environment

The operation of electronic devices in hostile environment has been investigated. Issues due to Extremely Low Temperature (i.e., Cryogenic temperature) and operation in cryogenics liquids (liquid argon, LAr, or liquid nitrogen, LN2) are presented and discussed. Both passive and active electronics components have been considered and their troubles at cryogenics temperature have been presented

Naso-ethmoidal phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor: a rare tumor site for an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome

Mesenchymal Phosphaturic Tumors (MPTs) are the most common cause of an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome known as Tumor Induced Osteomalacia (TIO). They typically occur in soft tissues and bone and in less than 5% in the head and neck region where the naso-ethmoidal is rarely involved. The presentation of the case includes also the analysis of the expression by RT-PCR of two “phosphatonins” that are known to be involved in the development of the syndrome. For the rarity of MPTs in the head and neck, otolaryngologists and maxillofacial surgeons might not be familiar with these tumors and with TIO whose knowledge is mandatory for the appropriate clinical work-up and treatment of the affected patients