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Background: Immunoglobulin G4 related disease is a recently described systemic syndrome. The head and neck region is the second most common site for presentation after the pancreas. Methods: PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched from 1995 to July 2017 for all the studies on immunoglobulin G4 related disease diagnosed in the head and neck compartment. Patient-specific data were extracted and basic statistical analysis was performed. Results: Ninety-one patients were identified. Treatment was specified in 76 patients. Twenty patients received surgical treatment, eight of them in association with medical therapy. Fifty-six patients received medical treatment. The disease recurred in 25 per cent of patients treated with surgical treatment alone, in 3.6 per cent of patients treated with medical treatment alone and in 12.5 per cent of patients treated with both. All medical treatment protocols contained high-dose corticosteroids. Conclusion: Early and correct diagnosis can avoid unnecessary surgical treatment, and glucocorticoid therapy can improve the long-term prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An important aspect of the biomechanical behaviour of the stratum corneum (SC) is the drying stresses that develop with water loss. These stresses act as a driving force for damage in the form of chapping and cracking. Betasitosterol is a plant sterol with a structure similar to cholesterol, a key component in the intercellular lipids of the outermost layer of human skin, the SC. Cholesterol plays an important role in stabilizing the SC lipid structure, and altered levels of cholesterol have been linked with SC barrier abnormalities. Betasitosterol is currently applied topically to skin for treatment of wounds and burns. However, it is unknown what effect betasitosterol has on the biomechanical barrier function of skin. Here, by analysing the drying stress profile of SC generated during a kinetics of dehydration, we show that betasitosterol, in combination with two emollient molecules, isocetyl stearoyl stearate (ISS) and glyceryl tri‐2‐ethylhexanoate (GTEH), causes a significant modulation of the drying stress behaviour of the SC by reducing both the maximal peak stress height and average plateau of the drying stress profile. Raman spectra analyses demonstrate that the combination of betasitosterol with the two emollients, ISS and GTEH, allows a high water retention capacity within the SC, while the lipid conformational order by increasing the amount of trans conformers. Our study highlights the advantage of combining a biomechanical approach together with Raman spectroscopy in engineering a suitable combination of molecules for alleviating dryness and dry skin damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While copper(I)-bis(diimine) complexes [Cu I (L) 2 ] + are considered as potent substitutes for [Ru II (bpy) 3 ] 2+ , they exhibit low molar extinction coefficients with respect to ruthenium parent analogues. One interesting possibility to improve the light collection ability of [Cu I (L) 2 ] + consists in increasing the length of the Cu-L dipole. In order to achieve this goal, we propose in this contribution to fuse aromatic rings onto the 2,9-di- n butyl-1,10-phenanthroline core and examine how the properties of the corresponding copper(I) complexes are impacted. Electrochemical, absorption and emission properties are assessed; rewardingly, the envisioned approach was successful since extinction coefficients above 10,000 M −1 ·cm −1 were measured. All copper(I) complexes remain photoluminescent, with emission maxima greatly varying from 725 to 815 nm, strongly affected by the molecular structures. A rationale to explain the variations of the emission quantum yields is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spectroscopic properties of Sr 1.0 Ba 2.0 B 6 O 12 :0.5Sm3+ phosphor were studied. • Judd–Ofelt parameters and radiative properties of the phosphor were evaluated. • Sr 1.0 Ba 2.0 B 6 O 12 :0.5Sm3+ phosphor emits a cool white light at 403 nm excitation. • Sr 1.0 Ba 2.0 B 6 O 12 :0.5Sm3+ can be used in phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes. This study aims to explore the spectroscopic properties of a Sr 1.0 Ba 2.0 B 6 O 12 :0.5Sm3+ phosphor synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. The morphology and elemental composition of the phosphor were determined using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. Phase changes and crystallite phases in the phosphor were studied using differential-scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectra were used to identify the molecular vibrations in the phosphor. The energy bandgap and bonding nature of the phosphor were analyzed using the absorption spectrum. The nephelauxetic ratios determined from the absorption peaks revealed the presence of both ionic and covalent bonding in the phosphor. Judd–Ofelt parameters, along with radiative properties of the phosphor, were evaluated using the peaks in the absorption spectrum. Colorimetric analysis using the photoluminescence spectrum showed that the Sr 1.0 Ba 2.0 B 6 O 12 :0.5Sm3+ phosphor emits a cool-white light. The higher values of the spectroscopic quality factor, stimulated-emission cross-section, quantum efficiency, and the white-light emission of the phosphor suggest that Sr 1.0 Ba 2.0 B 6 O 12 :0.5Sm3+ is useful for display and lighting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The stratum corneum (SC) plays an important role in skin barrier function. It acts as a protective barrier against water loss, eliminates foreign substances and micro-organisms and acts against harmful effects of UVR., Objectives: Our aim was to study the impact of suberythemal doses of UVA and UVB exposure on the molecular structure, organization and barrier function of the SC by following different Raman descriptors., Materials & Methods: Twenty female volunteers, aged 20-30 years, with healthy skin were enrolled. Doses of 95 mJ/cm² UVA and 15 mJ/cm² UVB were applied to volunteers’ forearms. In vivo Raman measurements were performed at irradiated and control regions., Results: The impact of UVA and UVB irradiation was observed following several Raman descriptors, i.e. the ratio of vasymCH2/vsymCH2 (2885 cm-1/2850 cm-1) corresponding to the organizational order of the lipid bilayer. Water content and mobility descriptors were obtained by calculating vOH/vCH ratio. Finally, protein secondary structure was evaluated based on the 1670 cm-1/1650 cm-1 ratio related to β sheets and α helices, respectively., Conclusion: UVA induced a loosening of the lateral packing of lipids immediately after irradiation. In contrast, delayed impact caused a tightening of the lipid barrier, an increase in water content -mainly in the unbound water fraction and a higher relative amount of β sheets in SC proteins. Overall, these observations may explain the thickening of the SC observed in previous studies. A UVB dose of 15 mJ/cm² was apparently below the threshold necessary to induce significant changes despite the trends observed in this study.

Background: Breakfast is often regarded as "the most important meal of the day" but there is limited reporting of the foods/beverages currently constituting a typical breakfast. This study investigated current breakfast habits of Australian men., Methods: Men aged 18-44y were recruited from metropolitan and regional NSW Australia and completed an online survey investigating breakfast consumption habits and other lifestyle parameters including demographic characteristics and waking habits., Results: 112 men participated. Most (83.5%) ate breakfast ≥5 times/week and consumed this meal before 8 am (84.0%). Breakfast for habitual breakfast eaters consisted of one or more of the following foods or beverages eaten ≥5 times/week: breakfast cereal (50.0%), milk for cereal (51.1%), fruit (28.7%), toast (13.8%), spreads (11.7%), yogurt (12.8%), and/or coffee (40.4%). Breakfast may also include the following foods 1-4 times/week: eggs (58.5%), bacon (30.9%), juice (19.1%), and/or tea (17.0%)., Conclusion: A majority of Australian men younger than 45 years old were found to eat breakfast most days of the week. Cereal, milk and fruit were the most common foods consumed for breakfast. Breakfast is considered to be an important meal among health professionals and we found a majority of Australian men do eat breakfast regularly. Approximately half of the young men in the study reported consuming cereal and milk for breakfast most of the time, a breakfast option that is linked to higher daily wholegrain, fibre and micro-nutrient intakes., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThere are no competing interests or conflict of interest to declare by any author., (© The Author(s). 2020.)

Three new copper(I) complexes [Cu(L X ) 2 ] + (PF 6 - ) (where L X stands for 2,9-dihalo-1,10-phenanthroline and X = Cl, Br, and I) have been synthesized in order to study the impact of halogen substituents tethered in the α position of the chelating nitrogen atoms on their physical properties. The photophysical properties of these new complexes (hereafter named Cu-X) were characterized in both their ground and excited states. Femtosecond ultrafast spectroscopy revealed that early photoinduced processes are faster for Cu-I than for Cu-Cl or Cu-Br, both showing similar behaviors. Their electronic absorption and electrochemical properties are comparable to benchmark [Cu(dmp) 2 (where dmp stands for 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline); furthermore, their optical features were fully reproduced by time-dependent density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. All three complexes are luminescent at room temperature, showing that halogen atoms bound to positions 2 and 9 of phenanthroline are sufficiently bulky to prevent strong interactions between the excited Cu complexes and solvent molecules in the coordination sphere. Their behavior in the excited state, more specifically the extent of the photoluminescence efficiency and its dependence on the temperature, is, however, strongly dependent on the nature of the halogen. A combination of ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, temperature-dependent steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational chemistry allows one to gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of all three complexes in their excited state.+ (where dmp stands for 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline); furthermore, their optical features were fully reproduced by time-dependent density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. All three complexes are luminescent at room temperature, showing that halogen atoms bound to positions 2 and 9 of phenanthroline are sufficiently bulky to prevent strong interactions between the excited Cu complexes and solvent molecules in the coordination sphere. Their behavior in the excited state, more specifically the extent of the photoluminescence efficiency and its dependence on the temperature, is, however, strongly dependent on the nature of the halogen. A combination of ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, temperature-dependent steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational chemistry allows one to gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of all three complexes in their excited state.

Diabetes affects 9.8% of Australian women. Breakfast cereal consumption is potentially protective against diabetes. This study investigated the effects of breakfast cereal consumption on the 12-year risk of developing diabetes among mid-aged participants of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health (ALSWH). It was hypothesized that any breakfast cereal and higher-fiber breakfast cereals would be protective against the risk of developing diabetes. Data from Survey 3 (S3) to Survey 7 (S7) inclusive, from the 1946-51 ALSWH cohort were analyzed. Dietary data were obtained at S3 and the outcome was incident diabetes between S4-S7. Women were excluded if: they reported existing diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance at S3; dietary data were incomplete; or daily energy intake was <4,500 or >20,000 kJ. Logistic regression with discrete time survival analyses investigated the association between breakfast cereal intake and incident diabetes. Models were adjusted for income, BMI, smoking, physical activity, education, and dietary intakes and included a measure of time. There were 637 incident cases of diabetes. Breakfast cereal intake per se was not associated with incident diabetes (OR: 1.00; P = .98). Muesli consumption on its own (OR: 0.74; P = .00) or as a part of oats-based cereal (OR: 0.84; P = .047) was significantly associated with a decrease in the odds of developing diabetes. No other breakfast cereals were significantly associated with diabetes risk. Among mid-aged Australian women, muesli consumption was associated with a reduction in diabetes risk. This effect may be due to a particular profile of muesli eaters, but the relationship warrants further investigation., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

We investigate the new simultaneous absorbance-transmission and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix method for rapid and effective characterization of the varying components from a mixture. The absorbance-transmission and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix method uniquely facilitates correction of fluorescence inner-filter effects to yield quantitative fluorescence spectral information that is largely independent of component concentration. This is significant because it allows one to effectively monitor quantitative component changes using multivariate methods and to generate and evaluate spectral libraries. We present the use of this novel instrument in different fields: i.e. tracking changes in complex mixtures including natural water, wine as well as monitoring stability and aggregation of hormones for biotherapeutics.

A bioinspired approach is applied to photoelectric conversion devices. A 3(10)-helical hexapeptide bearing a pyrene unit is immobilized on a gold-covered TiO2 surface. The device is integrated for the first time in a dye-sensitized solar cell, exhibiting stability after several measurements. The approach could have promising applications in the field of optoelectronics., (Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Filopodia are thin cell extensions sensing the environment. They play an essential role during cell migration, cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesion, by initiating contacts and conveying signals to the cell cortex. Pathogenic microorganisms can hijack filopodia to invade cells by inducing their retraction towards the cell body. Because their dynamics depend on a discrete number of actin filaments, filopodia provide a model of choice to study elementary events linked to adhesion and downstream signalling. However, the determinants controlling filopodial sensing are not well characterized. In this study, we used beads functionalized with different ligands that triggered filopodial retraction when in contact with filopodia of epithelial cells. With optical tweezers, we were able to measure forces stalling the retraction of a single filopodium. We found that the filopodial stall force depends on the coating of the bead. Stall forces reached 8 pN for beads coated with the β1 integrin ligand Yersinia Invasin, whereas retraction was stopped with a higher force of 15 pN when beads were functionalized with carboxyl groups. In all cases, stall forces increased in relation to the density of ligands contacting filopodial tips and were independent of the optical trap stiffness. Unexpectedly, a discrete and small number of Shigella type three secretion systems induced stall forces of 10 pN. These results suggest that the number of receptor-ligand interactions at the filopodial tip determines the maximal retraction force exerted by filopodia but a discrete number of clustered receptors is sufficient to induce high retraction stall forces.