Trends in childhood body mass index between 1936 and 2011 showed that underweight remained more common than obesity among 398 970 Danish school children

AIM

To examine trends in all body mass index (BMI) groups in children from 1936 to 2011.

METHODS

We included 197 694 girls and 201 276 boys from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, born between 1930 and 1996, with longitudinal weight and height measurements (6-14 years). Using International Obesity Task Force criteria, BMI was classified as underweight, normal-weight, overweight and obesity. Sex- and age-specific prevalences were calculated.

RESULTS

From the 1930s, the prevalence of underweight was stable until a small increase occurred from 1950 to 1970s, and thereafter it declined into the early 2000s. Using 7-year-olds as an example, underweight changed from 10% to 7% in girls and from 9% to 6% in boys during the study period. The prevalence of overweight plateaued from 1950 to 1970s and then steeply increased from 1970s onwards and in 1990-2000s 15% girls and 11% boys at 7 years had overweight. The prevalence of obesity particularly increased from 1980s onwards and in 1990-2000s 5% girls and 4% boys at 7 years had obesity. These trends slightly differed by age.

CONCLUSION

Among Danish schoolchildren, the prevalence of underweight was greater than overweight until the 1980s and greater than obesity throughout the period. Thus, monitoring the prevalence of childhood underweight remains an important public health issue.

Safety Assessment of Capryloyl Salicylic Acid as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reassessed the safety of Capryloyl Salicylic Acid in cosmetic products; this ingredient is reported to function as a skin conditioning agent. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of this ingredient in cosmetic formulations, and concluded that the available data are insufficient to make a determination that Capryloyl Salicylic Acid is safe under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations.

Methacrylate Ester Monomers

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed newly available studies since their original assessment in 2005, along with updated information regarding product types and concentrations of use, and confirmed that these 22 methacrylate ester monomers are safe as used in nail enhancement products in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report, when skin contact is avoided.

Amended Safety Assessment of Mentha piperita (Peppermint)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of M piperita (peppermint)-derived ingredients. The Panel reviewed data relevant to the safety of these ingredients. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing the same constituent(s) of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. Industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities that could be present in botanical ingredients. The Panel concluded that M piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Extract, Leaf, and leaf-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-sensitizing, and that the available data are insufficient for determining that M piperita (Peppermint) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, M piperita (Peppermint) Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, and M piperita (Peppermint) Meristem Cell Culture are safe under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations.

Quaternium-26

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed newly available studies since their original assessment in year 2000, along with updated information regarding product types and concentrations of use, and confirmed that sodium Quaternium-26 is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report.

Acetyl Trialkyl Citrates

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed newly available studies since their original assessment in 2002, along with updated information regarding product types and concentrations of use, and confirmed that Acetyl Triethyl Citrate, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Acetyl Triethylhexyl Citrate, and Acetyl Trihexyl Citrate are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report.

Sulfites

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed newly available studies since their original assessment in 1998, along with updated information regarding product types and concentrations of use, and confirmed that Sodium Sulfite, Potassium Sulfite, Ammonium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfite, Ammonium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, and Potassium Metabisulfite are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report.

Safety Assessment of Polyfluorinated Polymers as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 12 polyfluorinated polymers in cosmetic products; most of these ingredients have the reported function of film former in common. However, PTFE, the only ingredient that is reported as currently used in cosmetics, functions as a bulking agent and slip modifier, but not as a film former. The Panel reviewed data relevant to the safety of these ingredients under the intended conditions of use in cosmetic formulations, and concluded that PTFE and Hexafluoropropylene/Tetrafluoroethylene Copolymer are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment; the data are insufficient to determine the safety of the 4 fluorinated-side-chain polymers and 6 fluorinated polyethers.

Associations between diabetes status and grip strength trajectory sub-groups in adulthood: findings from over 16 years of follow-up in the MRC National Survey of Health and Development

BACKGROUND

Cross-sectional studies suggest a relationship between diabetes status and weaker grip strength (GS) in adulthood and limited evidence from longitudinal studies has focussed on the association with average change in GS. We aimed to investigate whether diabetes status was related to membership of distinct GS trajectories in mid-to-late adulthood in 2,263 participants in the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development.

METHODS

Grip strength (kg) was measured at 53, 60-64 and 69 years. Pre-/diabetes was defined at 53 years based on HbA1c > 5.6% and/or doctor-diagnosis of diabetes. Sex-specific latent class trajectory models were developed and multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between pre-/diabetes status and membership into GS trajectory classes.

RESULTS

For both males and females, a 3-class solution ('High', 'Intermediate', 'Low') provided the best representation of the GS data and the most plausible solution. There was no evidence that pre-/diabetes status was associated with class membership in either sex: e.g., adjusted odds ratios of being in the 'Low' class (vs. 'High') for males with pre-/diabetes (vs. no-diabetes) was 1.07 (95% CI:0.45,2.55).

CONCLUSION

Using a flexible data-driven approach to identify GS trajectories between 53 and 69 years, we observed three distinct GS trajectories, all declining, in both sexes. There was no association between pre-/diabetes status at 53 years and membership into these GS trajectories. Understanding the diabetes status-GS trajectories association is vital to ascertain the consequences that projected increases in pre-/diabetes prevalence's are likely to have.

Safety Assessment of Centella asiatica-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 9 Centella asiatica-derived ingredients, which reportedly function primarily as skin conditioning agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients. The Panel concluded that Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Callus Culture, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture Extract, and Centella Asiatica Root Extract are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be non-sensitizing.

Safety Assessment of Apple-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 26 apple-derived ingredients, which reportedly function mostly as skin conditioning agents in cosmetic products. Because apple-derived ingredients may be obtained from different apple cultivars, the composition of ingredients derived from different cultivars should be similar to that of ingredients reviewed in this safety assessment. Additionally, industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities that could be present in botanical ingredients. The Panel reviewed the available data to determine the safety of these ingredients and concluded that 21 of these ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentrations described in this safety assessment. However, the Panel also determined that the available data are insufficient to determine the safety of Pyrus Malus (Apple) Root Extract, Pyrus Malus (or Malus Domestica) (Apple) Stem Extract, Malus Domestica (Apple) Callus Extract, and Malus Domestica (Apple) Oil.

Amended Safety Assessment of Persulfates as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reassessed the safety of 3 persulfate ingredients, which function as oxidizing agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients and concluded that Ammonium, Potassium, and Sodium Persulfate are safe as used as oxidizing agents in hair colorants and hair lighteners designed for brief discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsing from the hair and skin. The Panel also concluded that the available data are insufficient for determining the safety of these persulfates in leave-on products and dentifrices.

Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

Safety Assessment of Ethers and Esters of Ascorbic Acid as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 7 ethers and esters of ascorbic acid, which collectively function as antioxidants, skin-conditioning agents, skin protectants, fragrance ingredients, and skin bleaching agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients, and concluded that the ethers and esters of ascorbic acid are safe in the present practices of use and concentration, as described in this safety assessment.

Safety Assessment of Carbonate Salts as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 6 carbonate salts which function as absorbents, bulking agents, opacifying agents, pH adjusters, buffering agents, abrasives, and oral care agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients, and concluded that these carbonate salts are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating.

Safety Assessment of Rosa canina-derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of 12 Rosa canina-derived ingredients, which are reported to function as skin conditioning agents, fragrance ingredients, cosmetic astringents, anti-acne agents, abrasives, humectants, and exfoliants in cosmetic products. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing the same constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching cumulative levels that may be hazardous to consumers. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients and concluded that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

Safety Assessment of Phosphoric Acid and Its Salts as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of Phosphoric Acid and its salts (31 ingredients), which are reported to function as buffering agents, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, and pH adjusters in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed data relating to the safety of these ingredients and concluded that Phosphoric Acid and its salts are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics when formulated to be nonirritating.

Changes over time in latent patterns of childhood-to-adulthood BMI development in Great Britain: evidence from three cohorts born in 1946, 1958, and 1970

BACKGROUND

Most studies on secular trends in body mass index (BMI) are cross-sectional and the few longitudinal studies have typically only investigated changes over time in mean BMI trajectories. We aimed to describe how the evolution of the obesity epidemic in Great Britain reflects shifts in the proportion of the population demonstrating different latent patterns of childhood-to-adulthood BMI development.

METHODS

We used pooled serial BMI data from 25,655 participants in three British cohorts: the 1946 National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD), 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS), and 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS). Sex-specific growth mixture models captured latent patterns of BMI development between 11 and 42 years. The classes were characterised in terms of their birth cohort composition.

RESULTS

The best models had four classes, broadly similar for both sexes. The 'lowest' class (57% of males; 47% of females) represents the normal weight sub-population, the 'middle' class (16%; 15%) represents the sub-population who likely develop overweight in early/mid-adulthood, and the 'highest' class (6%; 9%) represents those who likely develop obesity in early/mid-adulthood. The remaining class (21%; 29%) reflects a sub-population with rapidly 'increasing' BMI between 11 and 42 years. Both sexes in the 1958 NCDS had greater odds of being in the 'highest' class compared to their peers in the 1946 NSHD but did not have greater odds of being in the 'increasing' class. Conversely, males and females in the 1970 BCS had 2.78 (2.15, 3.60) and 1.87 (1.53, 2.28), respectively, times higher odds of being in the 'increasing' class.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the obesity epidemic in Great Britain reflects not only an upward shift in BMI trajectories but also a more recent increase in the number of individuals demonstrating more rapid weight gain, from normal weight to overweight, across the second, third, and fourth decades of life.

Prevalence and spatial distribution of Coxiella burnetii seropositivity in northern Australian beef cattle adjusted for diagnostic test uncertainty

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii transmitted from animals including, but not limited to, cattle, sheep and goats. The infection in cattle is typically sub-clinical with some evidence suggesting associated reproductive loss. There is currently limited data on the true prevalence and distribution of coxiellosis in beef cattle across northern Australia. During this study, 2,012 sera samples from beef cattle managed on commercial farms located in Queensland and the Northern Territory were tested using an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) for serological evidence of IgG antibodies against C. burnetii. Bayesian latent class models were used to estimate the true prevalence, adjusted for diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity and incorporating the hierarchical structure of the cattle within farms and regions. In this study, cattle in the Northern Territory had lower estimated true prevalence than cattle within most regions of Queensland with the exception of south-east Queensland. Results from this study have described the geographic distribution and estimated the true prevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in a sample of extensively managed beef cattle located across the tropical grazing regions of northern Australia.

Safety Assessment of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Hydrochloride) as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride), which functions as a preservative in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of this ingredient and concluded that Polyaminopropyl Biguanide is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment, when formulated to be nonirritating and nonsensitizing, which may be based on a quantitative risk assessment or other accepted methodologies. The Panel also concluded that the data are insufficient to determine the safety of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide in products that may be incidentally inhaled.

Safety Assessment of Silk Protein Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the safety of Hydrolyzed Silk and 9 other silk protein ingredients, which function primarily as skin and hair conditioning agents and bulking agents in cosmetic products. The Panel reviewed relevant data relating to the safety of these ingredients and concluded that 8 ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, as described in this safety assessment, but that the available data are insufficient for determining the safety of 2 silk protein ingredients in cosmetic products, MEA-Hydrolyzed Silk and Silkworm Cocoon Extract.

Safety Assessment of Lecithin and Other Phosphoglycerides as Used in Cosmetics

The phosphoglycerides considered in this safety assessment are reported to function primarily as skin and hair conditioning agents, emulsifying agents, and surfactants in cosmetic products and are used up to a maximum reported concentration of 50%. Although phospholipids exert physiologic effects, these are not reproduced by application of phospholipid ingredients to the skin. Given the possibility that Lecithin may be derived from animal sources, it should be noted that the Food and Drug Administration does not permit the use of ingredients made from bovine specified risk materials in cosmetic products. The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety concluded that the 17 phosphoglycerides are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, as described in this safety assessment.

Framework for developing a national surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia plan

Background

Emergency and essential surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia (SOA) care are now recognized components of universal health coverage, necessary for a functional health system. To improve surgical care at a national level, strategic planning addressing the six domains of a surgical system is needed. This paper details a process for development of a national surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia plan (NSOAP) based on the experiences of frontline providers, Ministry of Health officials, WHO leaders, and consultants.

Methods

Development of a NSOAP involves eight key steps: Ministry support and ownership; situation analysis and baseline assessments; stakeholder engagement and priority setting; drafting and validation; monitoring and evaluation; costing; governance; and implementation. Drafting a NSOAP involves defining the current gaps in care, synthesizing and prioritizing solutions, and providing an implementation and monitoring plan with a projected cost for the six domains of a surgical system: infrastructure, service delivery, workforce, information management, finance and governance.

Results

To date, four countries have completed NSOAPs and 23 more have committed to development. Lessons learned from these previous NSOAP processes are described in detail.

Conclusion

There is global movement to address the burden of surgical disease, improving quality and access to SOA care. The development of a strategic plan to address gaps across the SOA system systematically is a critical first step to ensuring countrywide scale‐up of surgical system‐strengthening activities.

Safety Assessment of PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate as Used in Cosmetics

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, which functions as a viscosity-increasing agent-aqueous in cosmetic products and is being used at concentrations up to 5%. Given the chemical structure (large molecule), skin penetration is not likely. The available toxicity data and the low ingredient use concentrations suggest that systemic toxicity would not be likely even if percutaneous absorption were to occur. Additionally, the negative human repeated insult patch test data on the undiluted ingredient were deemed sufficient for evaluating skin irritation and sensitization potential. The Panel concluded that PEG-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

At what age do normal weight Canadian children become overweight adults? Differences according to sex and metric

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of overweight and obesity doubles between adolescence and young adulthood; however, the exact age, and appropriate metric to use to identify when overweight develops is still debated.

AIM

To examine the age of onset of overweight by sex and four metrics: body mass index (BMI), fat mass (%FM), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Between 1991 and 2017, serial measures of body composition were taken on 237 (108 males) individuals (aged 8-40 years of age). Hierarchical random effects models were used to develop growth curves. Curves were compared to BMI, %FM and WC overweight age- and sex-specific cut-points.

RESULTS

In males, the BMI growth curve crossed the cut-point at 22.0 years, compared to 23.5 and 26.5 years for WHtR and %FM, respectively; WC cut-off was not reached until 36 years. In females, the BMI growth curve crossed the overweight cut-point at 21.5 years, compared to 14.2 years for %FM and 21.9 and 27.5 years for WC and WHtR, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In summary, overweight onset occurs during young adulthood with the exception of WC in males. BMI in males and %FM in females were the metrics identifying overweight the earliest.

Safety Assessment of Barium Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of barium sulfate, which functions as an opacifying agent in cosmetic products and is being used at concentrations up to 0.99% and 37% in rinse-off and leave-on products, respectively. The Panel noted that the history of safe medical use of barium sulfate indicates no significant toxicity concerns relating to systemic exposure to this ingredient. Furthermore, the extensive clinical experience of the Panel, including the results of numerous patch tests, indicates that barium salts do not have the potential to induce sensitization. The Panel noted that since salts of sulfuric acid can be irritating to the skin, cosmetic products containing barium sulfate should be formulated to be nonirritating. The Panel concluded that barium sulfate is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be nonirritating.

Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate as Used in Cosmetics

Pentaerythrityl tetra-di -t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate functions as an antioxidant in cosmetic products and is used at concentrations up to 0.8%. Given the high molecular weight of this ingredient, skin penetration is not likely. The available toxicity data, together with the low ingredient use concentrations, suggest that systemic toxicity would not be likely if percutaneous absorption were to occur. Additionally, the negative human repeated insult patch test data at a concentration of 0.5% were deemed sufficient for evaluating the skin irritation and sensitization potential of pentaerythrityl tetra-di -t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate over the range of use concentrations in cosmetic products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that pentaerythrityl tetra-di -t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

Safety Assessment of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, Their Metal Salts and Fatty Acyl Derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as Used in Cosmetics

Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 function primarily as skin conditioning agents, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 are also used in cosmetic products. Typical use concentrations of these ingredients are <10 ppm. The Panel noted that the low use concentrations and negative safety test data reviewed obviate any concerns relating to the safety of these ingredients in cosmetic products. Thus, the Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

Amended Safety Assessment of Chamomilla recutita-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

The Chamomilla recutita-derived ingredients in this assessment are reported to function mostly as fragrance ingredients and skin conditioning agents in cosmetic products. Because final product formulations may contain multiple botanicals, each containing the same constituents of concern, formulators are advised to be aware of these constituents and to avoid reaching levels that may be hazardous to consumers. Additionally, industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities that could be present in botanical ingredients. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that the Chamomilla recutita-derived ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be nonsensitizing.

Body size trajectories and cardio-metabolic resilience to obesity

Individuals with obesity do not represent a single homogenous group in terms of cardio‐metabolic health prospects. The concept of metabolically healthy obesity is a crude way of capturing this heterogeneity and has resulted in a plethora of research linking to future outcomes to show that it is not a benign condition. By contrast, very few studies have looked back in time and modelled the life course processes and exposures that explain the heterogeneity in cardio‐metabolic health and morbidity and mortality risk among people with the same body mass index (BMI) (or waist circumference or percentage body fat). The aim of the Medical Research Council New Investigator Research Grant (MR/P023347/1) ‘Body size trajectories and cardio‐metabolic resilience to obesity in three United Kingdom birth cohorts’ is to reveal the body size trajectories, pubertal development patterns and other factors (e.g. early‐life adversity) that might attenuate the positive associations of adulthood obesity makers (e.g. BMI) with cardio‐metabolic disease risk factors and other outcomes, thereby providing some degree of protection against the adverse effects of obesity. This work builds on the Principle Investigator's previous research as part of the Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources initiative and focuses on secondary data analysis in the nationally representative UK birth cohort studies (initiated in 1946, 1958 and 1970), which have life course body size and exposure data and a biomedical sweep in adulthood. The grant will provide novel evidence on the life course processes and exposures that lead to some people developing a cardio‐metabolic complication or disease or dying while other people with the same BMI do not. This paper details the grant's scientific rationale, research objectives and potential impact.

The positive association of infant weight gain with adulthood body mass index has strengthened over time in the Fels Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Infant weight gain is positively related to adulthood body mass index (BMI), but it is unknown whether or not this association is stronger for individuals born during (compared with before) the obesity epidemic.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to examine how the infant weight gain-adulthood BMI association might have changed across successive birth year cohorts spanning most of the 20th century.

METHODS

The sample comprised 346 participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Confounder-adjusted regression models were used to test the associations of conditional weight-for-length Z-score, capturing weight change between ages 0-2 years, with young adulthood BMI and blood pressure, including cohort [1933-1949 {N = 137}, 1950-1969 {N = 108}, 1970-1997 {N = 101}] as an effect modifier.

RESULTS

Conditional weight-for-length Z-score was positively related to adulthood BMI, but there was significant effect modification by birth year cohort such that the association was over two times stronger in the 1970-1997 cohort (β 2.31; 95% confidence interval 1.59, 3.03) compared with the 1933-1949 (0.98; 0.31, 1.65) and 1950-1969 (0.87; 0.21, 1.54) cohorts. A similar pattern was found for systolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

The infant weight gain-adulthood BMI association was over two times stronger among a cohort born during the obesity epidemic era compared with cohorts born earlier in the 20th century.

Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate

Benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid and its salts, and benzyl benzoate function mostly as fragrance ingredients/preservatives in cosmetic products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel previously established concentration limits for benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, and sodium benzoate in cosmetics and determined that the available data were insufficient to support the safety of these ingredients during inhalation exposure. After reviewing newly available data, it was concluded that benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid and its salts, and benzyl benzoate are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

Safety Assessment of Magnesium Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of magnesium sulfate, which functions as a bulking agent in cosmetic products and is reportedly used at concentrations up to 11% and 25% in leave-on and rinse-off products, respectively. The Panel noted that the history of safe medical use of magnesium sulfate provides further confidence that there are no significant toxicity concerns relating to systemic exposure to this ingredient after cosmetic product application. Furthermore, the extensive clinical experience of the Panel, including the results of numerous patch tests, indicates that magnesium salts do not have the potential to induce sensitization. The Panel also noted that results were negative for 50% magnesium sulfate in a mouse skin irritation study and in an in vitro sensitization assay. The Panel concluded that magnesium sulfate is safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment.

Development of an indirect ELISA for detection of antibody to wobbly possum disease virus in archival sera of Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand

AIMS

To develop an indirect ELISA based on recombinant nucleocapsid (rN) protein of wobbly possum disease (WPD) virus for investigation of the presence of WPD virus in Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand.

METHODS

Pre- and post-infection sera (n=15 and 16, respectively) obtained from a previous experimental challenge study were used for ELISA development. Sera were characterised as positive or negative for antibody to WPD virus based on western-blot using WPD virus rN protein as antigen. An additional 215 archival serum samples, collected between 2000-2016 from five different regions of New Zealand, were also tested using the ELISA. Bayesian modelling of corrected optical density at 450 nm (OD₄₅₀) results from the ELISA was used to obtain estimates of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to establish cut-off values for the ELISA, and to estimate the prevalence of antibody to WPD virus.

RESULTS

Western blot analysis showed 5/14 (36%) pre-infection sera and 11/11 (100%) post-infection sera from experimentally infected possums were positive for antibodies to WPD virus. Bayesian estimates of the ROC curves established cut-off values of OD₄₅₀≥0.41 for samples positive, and OD₄₅₀<0.28 for samples negative for antibody to WPD virus, for sera diluted 1:100 for the ELISA. Based on the model, the estimated proportion of samples with antibodies to WPD virus was 0.30 (95% probability interval=0.196-0.418). Of the 230 archival serum samples tested using the ELISA, 48 (20.9%) were positive for antibody to WPD virus, 155 (67.4%) were negative and 27 (11.7%) equivocal, using the established cut-off values. The proportion of samples positive for WPD virus antibody differed between geographical regions (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that WPD virus or a related virus has circulated among possums in New Zealand with differences in the proportion of antibody-positive samples from different geographical regions. Antibodies to WPD virus did not seem to protect possums from disease following experimental infection, as one third of possums from the previous challenge study showed evidence of pre-existing antibody at the time of challenge. These results provide further support for existence of different pathotypes of WPD virus, but the exact determinants of protection against WPD and epidemiology of infection in various regions of New Zealand remain to be established.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Availability of the indirect ELISA for detection of WPD virus antibody will facilitate prospective epidemiological investigation of WPD virus circulation in wild possum populations in New Zealand.

Life course factors associated with metabolically healthy obesity: a protocol for the systematic review of longitudinal studies

BACKGROUND

There is heterogeneity among obese individuals, as some appear to have healthier metabolic profiles and decreased health risks. These individuals are defined as metabolically healthy obese (MHO), whilst those with unhealthy metabolic profiles are defined as metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). To date, most research on MHO has been cross-sectional or focused on disease prognosis. However, longitudinal studies are required to provide greater insight into the life course factors that contribute to the development of MHO. This study aims to systematically review longitudinal studies investigating the association between life course exposures and future MHO status.

METHODS

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) will be searched using a trialled search strategy. Studies will be included following a double-screening process according to inclusion criteria to assess eligibility. Studies eligible for inclusion will include those that have a longitudinal observational design where a life course exposure occurred or was measured at least 1 year before the outcome, investigate a human study population, are published in English after 1956, and investigate the association between ≥ 1 life course exposure and ≥ 1 outcome that reflects a measure of cardiometabolic resilience to obesity. Accepted life course exposures will include body size, body composition, pubertal development, smoking, diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and psychosocial stress. The primary measure of cardiometabolic resilience to obesity will be MHO as an outcome (at follow-up). Studies investigating the development of cardiometabolic risk factors in an obese group without specifying MHO will also be accepted, such as the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an obese group. Key results of included studies will be tabulated, and a narrative synthesis will be conducted.

DISCUSSION

This will be the first systematic review to summarise the literature on the life course correlates of MHO. Importantly, it may highlight which modifiable lifestyle factors could be targeted to delay the onset of cardiometabolic complications among the obese.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017057992.

Two synthetic compounds containing chromium in different valency states

Two compounds, one an apatite and the other a perovskite, have been synthesized by sintering mixtures containing CaO and Cr2O3, and CaO, Cr2O3, and Fe2O3 respectively. The apatite formed by partial oxidation of the Cr2O3 and subsequent pick-up of moisture from the atmosphere, to give Ca5(CrO4)3OH. The perov-skite formed as a non-stoicheiometric compound Ca4(Fe,Cr)4O11 by partial oxidation of the Cr2O3 during firing. Lattice parameters and interplanar spacings are given for the two structures.

A Comparison of Four Different Methods of Fixation of Osteochondral Fragments

Fixation methods for osteochondral shell grafts were studied using replace-ment of a femoral trochlear autograft in rabbits as the model. Twenty skeletally mature rabbits were divided into four groups with five rabbits in each. The articular cartilage of the femoral trochlea, including 2.0 mm of subchondral bone, was removed using a sagittal bone saw. The grafts were immediately reattached using either small Kirschner pins (K-pins), polydioxanone pins (PDP), polydioxanone suture (PDS), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement. Six months postoperatively the rabbits were killed and the graft sites compared to the contralateral control using radiography, gross examination, Safranin-O and H & E staining, and sulphate-35 radioactive uptake. Mild degenerative joint changes were evident radio-graphically in all of the operated joints. Articular surface defects at the graft sites were common and included small craters and erosions; a few had larger areas devoid of cartilage. Defects associated with the pin entrance sites were common in the K-pin and PD P groups. The PDS group had the least number of animals with articular surface defects. Safranin-O staining was complete in the PDS group, partial or complete in the K-pin and PD P groups, and partial in all of the joints in the PMM A group. H & E preparations of the cartilage sections were graded from 1 (normal cartilage) to 5 (multiple fissures, severe degradation). The PDS group had a mean (SD) score of 1.8 (0.8), the PD P group 2.4 (1.1), the K-pin group 2.5 (1.3), and the PMM A group 4.6 (0.6). The scores for the PMM A group were significantly greater then the scores for the other groups (p <0.05). The mean (SD) for radioactive counts per minute/mg tissue in treated graft sites as a percent of control was PDS: 130 (83); PDP : 115 (14); K-pins: 92 (42); PMMA : 91 (29). The relative percentages for radioactive uptake were not significantly different (P >0.05). Graft fixation using PDS, PDP, or K-pins was technically easy to perform and the results were generally satisfactory. Fixation using PMM A was technically demanding and histological evidence of moderate to severe cartilage degradation was present in all treated joints.

Femoral trochlear autografts in rabbits were used to study fixation methods for osteochondral graft fragments. Six months after the operations the graft sites were evaluated using radiographs, gross examination, Safranin-O and H & E staining, and sulphate-35 radioactive uptake. Grafts stabilized using polydioxanone suture had the least number of articular surface defects and the most complete Safranin-O staining.

Safety Assessment of Dimethiconol and Its Esters and Reaction Products as Used in Cosmetics

Dimethiconol and its esters and reaction products are used in cosmetics as either skin-conditioning agents or hair-conditioning agents. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reviewed relevant data and concluded that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment. While there is an absence of data on reproductive and developmental toxicity and limited tumorigenicity and toxicokinetics data, the Panel reasoned that these ingredients would not be absorbed through the skin, obviating concern over potential reproductive and developmental toxicity or carcinogenicity.

Gene-environment interplay in depressive symptoms: moderation by age, sex, and physical illness

BACKGROUND

Numerous factors influence late-life depressive symptoms in adults, many not thoroughly characterized. We addressed whether genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms differed by age, sex, and physical illness.

METHOD

The analysis sample included 24 436 twins aged 40-90 years drawn from the Interplay of Genes and Environment across Multiple Studies (IGEMS) Consortium. Biometric analyses tested age, sex, and physical illness moderation of genetic and environmental variance in depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Women reported greater depressive symptoms than men. After age 60, there was an accelerating increase in depressive symptom scores with age, but this did not appreciably affect genetic and environmental variances. Overlap in genetic influences between physical illness and depressive symptoms was greater in men than in women. Additionally, in men extent of overlap was greater with worse physical illness (the genetic correlation ranged from near 0.00 for the least physical illness to nearly 0.60 with physical illness 2 s.d. above the mean). For men and women, the same environmental factors that influenced depressive symptoms also influenced physical illness.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggested that genetic factors play a larger part in the association between depressive symptoms and physical illness for men than for women. For both sexes, across all ages, physical illness may similarly trigger social and health limitations that contribute to depressive symptoms.

Safety Assessment of Anthemis nobilis-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics

Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) flower extract, anthemis nobilis flower oil, anthemis nobilis flower powder, and anthemis nobilis flower water are ingredients that function as fragrance ingredients and skin-conditioning agents in cosmetic products. These ingredients are being used at concentrations up to 10% (anthemis nobilis flower water) in cosmetic products. The available data indicate that these 4 ingredients are not irritating or sensitizing. Chemical composition data and the low use concentrations suggest that systemic toxicity would not be likely if percutaneous absorption of constituents were to occur. Formulations may contain more than 1 botanical ingredient; each may contribute to the final concentration of a single component. Manufacturers were cautioned to avoid reaching levels of plant constituents that may cause sensitization or other adverse effects. Industry should continue to use good manufacturing practices to limit impurities in the ingredient before blending into cosmetic formulations. The Expert Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, when formulated to be nonsensitizing.