Mapping the landscape of Consumer Food Waste.

Since 2015 there has been a surge of academic publications and citations focused on consumer food waste. To introduce a special issue of Appetite focused on the drivers of consumer food waste we perform a transdisciplinary and historical review of the literature through a co-citation network analysis and topic modelling approach. We show that the rapid increase in publications is largely attributable to an urgency caused by the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change. Topic modelling reveals that the dramatic quantitative increase of publications has also produced a variety of evolving themes, and that a metaphorical Cambrian Explosion is occurring after decades of academic inactivity. Network analysis results show that consumer food waste features in thousands of articles and hundreds of journals, but that the citation practices of academics are becoming highly concentrated, as 20% of journals attract over 80% of citations. Finally, by examining the burstiness and transdisciplinary structure of citation networks we show that though the field has historically been dominated by empirical articles, it is now starting to show signs of maturity as a flurry of review papers help to consolidate knowledge.

Growth of liver allografts over time in pediatric transplant recipients.

The liver's capacity to grow in response to metabolic need is well known. However, long-term growth of liver allografts in pediatric recipients has not been characterized. A retrospective review of pediatric recipients at a single institution identified patients who had cross-sectional imaging at 1, 5, and 10 years post-transplant. Using volumetric calculations, liver allograft size was calculated and percent SLV were compared across the different time points; 18 patients ranging from 0.3 to 17.7 years old were identified that had imaging at 2 or more time points. Measured liver volumes increased by 59% after 5 years and 170% after 10 years. The measured liver volumes compared to calculated %SLV for these patients were 123 ± 37%, 97 ± 19%, and 118 ± 27% at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplant, respectively. Our data suggest that liver allografts in pediatric recipients increase along with overall growth, and reach SLVs for height and weight by 5 years post-transplantation. Additionally, as pediatric recipients grow, the livers appear to maintain appropriate SLV.

A new in vitro assay to test UVR protection of dermal extracellular matrix components by a flat spectrum sunscreen.

The efficacy of topical sunscreens is currently assessed by crude, costly and time consuming in vivo assays. We have previously demonstrated that components of the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM), rich in UV-absorbing amino acids, are susceptible to damage by solar simulated radiation (SSR) in vitro. Here we developed an in vitro method to test the ability of sunscreens to protect fibrillin-rich microfibrils (FRM) and fibronectin, key components of the dermal ECM from UV-induced damage. Solutions of FRM or fibronectin were irradiated without protection, in the presence of a vehicle or a commercially-available flat-spectrum sunscreen. The effect of SSR on molecular structure was determined by atomic force microscopy (FRM) and SDS-PAGE (fibronectin). Following irradiation, FRM periodicity became bi-modally distributed (peaks: 40nm & 59nm) compared to the unimodal distribution in unexposed controls (peak: 50nm). Irradiation in the presence of flat-spectrum sunscreen protected against this change, maintaining the unimodal distribution. SSR induced significant aggregation of fibronectin (p=0.005), which was abrogated by sunscreen. These results demonstrate that this in vitro assay system is sufficiently sensitive to act as an initial/additional screen of sunscreen efficacy. We conclude that sunscreen can reduce UV-mediated damage of key dermal ECM in vitro and thereby prevent remodelling associated with photoageing.

Skin aging: molecular pathology, dermal remodelling and the imaging revolution.

Skin is a multifunctional organ but, alongside every other organ system, is subject to both intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic (environmental) aging, resulting in a loss of functional capacity. Cutaneous aging manifests as an observable change in the external appearance of the skin, the major accelerator of the aging process being our interactions with our environment, such as chronic exposure to solar irradiation (UV, IR or visible wavelengths of light). The aim of this contribution, therefore, was to provide a review of the pathological mechanisms which may play roles in the development of extrinsic, mainly photo-, aging and to review how these molecular changes impact on the structure of the organ as a whole, resulting in loss of function. Finally, we will describe the advances which are occurring in imaging techniques which may allow further characterisation of aged skin.

After hours presentation of traumatic dental injuries to a major paediatric teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Thorough record taking of traumatic dental injuries is vital. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a structured paper history for this purpose. Furthermore, the aetiology and epidemiology of these injuries were investigated, with the aim of formulating appropriate preventive guidelines. METHODS: A six-month audit of traumatic dental injuries presenting after hours was undertaken at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. A structured paper history form was subsequently created, and the data collected over the following 12 months. RESULTS: Structured paper histories assisted in thorough record taking. Over 12 months, 190 paediatric patients (male:female ratio 1.5:1) were treated after hours with traumatic dental injuries. There were 396 injured teeth among 182 patients (eight patients had soft tissue injuries only). The mean number of injured teeth per patient with dental injuries was 2.18, the vast majority being maxillary central incisors (62% of primary teeth and 66% of permanent teeth). The most common cause was 'accident during play', followed by a fall. The severe injuries, avulsions and luxations, comprised 63% of injuries to primary teeth and 26% to permanent teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Structured paper histories are useful for recording traumatic dental injuries. The vast majority of these injuries are due to unavoidable accidents, rendering their prevention challenging from a public health perspective.

Presentation and management of facial swellings of odontogenic origin in children.

AIM: To determine the characteristics, aetiology and management of facial swellings of odontogenic origin in the paediatric population. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of children with facial swellings of odontogenic origin. METHODS: All children who presented to the Departments of Paediatric Dentistry of the Westmead Centre for Oral Health and the Children's Hospital at Westmead with a facial swelling of odontogenic origin over a 12 month period were identified and included in the study. Treating clinicians completed a standardised data collection sheet to record information relating to patient demographics, medical history, dental history, history of current episode of facial swelling of odontogenic origin, examination findings and management. Data were entered in Microsoft(®) Excel and statistical analysis carried out using Statistical Analysis Software(®) version 9.3. RESULTS/STATISTICS: Two hundred and fifty-three children were included in the study, with a mean age of 6.3 years. Sixteen percent of children were admitted for intravenous antibiotics, surgical management and supportive care. For the remaining children not admitted, a range of management approaches were undertaken. These included immediate surgical management with or without oral antibiotics, delayed surgical management following a course of oral antibiotics, or oral antibiotics alone, where the cause of the odontogenic infection had already been removed. For 2% of children, a delayed surgical management approach was unsuccessful and the children were admitted. CONCLUSIONS: Management options for children presenting with facial swellings of odontogenic origin include admission to hospital for intravenous antibiotics and acute surgical management, immediate surgical management with or without a course of oral antibiotics or initial management involving a course of oral antibiotics, with definitive dental treatment being provided after resolution of the acute odontogenic infection.

The use of bisphosphonates in children: review of the literature and guidelines for dental management.

Bisphosphonates are inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption with therapeutic benefit in a variety of bone disorders in both adults and children. While these agents have been routinely used in adults for the past three decades, their more recent introduction into paediatric medicine means there is a paucity of data on long-term safety and effects on dental development. There is uncertainty regarding the dental management of children treated with bisphosphonates, particularly when invasive dental procedures, such as extractions and oral surgical procedures, are required. There are limited data with which to make recommendations about the dental management of patients treated with bisphosphonates, and there are no published recommendations that specifically address paediatric patients. This paper aims to outline paediatric uses and adverse effects of bisphosphonates and present recommendations on the dental management of children receiving bisphosphonates.

Effectiveness of oral midazolam for paediatric dental care: a retrospective study in two specialist centres.

AIM: To analyse retrospectively the outcomes for children undergoing oral care under conscious sedation with oral midazolam and local analgesia at Leeds dental Institute, England and Westmead Dental Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Secondly, the study assessed the suitability of oral midazolam for paediatric dental treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of clinical outcomes based on dental records. METHODS: All children included in the study had been treated between September 2000 to August 2004 and full dental records were available. The dental records were examined using a standard pro forma sheet and data collected for: age, previous behaviour using the Frankl [1962] scale, units of work planned and achieved using the modified index of O'Sullivan and Curzon [1991], midazolam dosage and treatment outcome. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 101 children aged 1-11 years in both Leeds (57 children) and Westmead (44 children). There were significant differences between Leeds and Westmead with respect to age (mean +/-SD) in years 5.0+/-1.0 versus 2.9+/-1.6; number of treatment visits 1.7 versus 1.1; sedation dose used 0.5-0.7 mg/kg versus 02.-0.3; type and amount of treatment planned 8.3 units versus 3.3 and achieved 7.5 versus 2.2, for both centres respectively. There was also a difference in overall success rates of rendering the children dentally fit of 65% v. 91%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Oral midazolam was found to be a useful drug for the management of young children with behaviour problems. It was found, however, not to be effective in all cases and for the provision of all types of paediatric dentistry. The results indicate that, when using oral midazolam in children, the treatment should be restricted to simple restorations and extractions over a maximum of two visits.

Combinatorial use of antibodies to secreted mycobacterial proteins in a host immune system-independent test for tuberculosis.

Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis is often difficult. Immunodetection of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins shed during active infection would not depend on an intact host immune response and could take advantage of the speed and low costs afforded by antibody-based assays. We previously showed that patients with active tuberculosis had increased levels of circulating antigen 85 (Ag85) proteins independent of their tuberculin skin test status (S. I. Bentley-Hibbert, X. Quan, T. Newman, K. Huygen, and H. P. Godfrey, Infect. Immun. 67:581-588, 1999). To extend these observations to a Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated population and to another secreted mycobacterial protein, Ag85 and PstS-1 (protein antigen B, p38 antigen) were quantified in sera from 97 Chilean tuberculosis patients and healthy controls (many of whom had received BCG as children) using dot immunobinding, mouse monoclonal anti-BCG Ag85 complex antibody, and chicken antipeptide antibodies reactive with M. tuberculosis Ag85B and PstS-1. The latter antibodies had been raised to peptide-derived immunogens expressed on a novel proprietary protein carrier in Escherichia coli. Median serum Ag85 levels measured by using either anti-Ag85 antibody were significantly higher in patients with active tuberculosis than in healthy controls (P, <0.001 to 0.01); the median serum PstS-1 levels were similar in patients and controls. The sensitivity of significantly elevated circulating Ag85 levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis measured by anti-Ag85 complex or anti-Ag85B antibodies was 60 and 55%, respectively, but increased to 77% when results obtained with both anti-Ag85 antibodies were considered jointly (P < 0.02). The corresponding specificities for individual and joint consideration were 95, 85, and 80%, respectively. These results indicate that elevated Ag85 levels can be detected in patients with active tuberculosis even after BCG vaccination and suggest that combinatorial use of antibodies directed at different epitopes of this protein could provide a viable strategy for developing new host immune response-independent diagnostic tests for tuberculosis.

Serum antigen 85 levels in adjunct testing for active mycobacterial infections in orangutans.

Diagnosis of active mycobacterial disease in orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) has been impeded by high levels of non-specific intradermal skin test reactivity to mycobacterial antigens. This may be due in part to cross reactivity between antigens, tuberculin concentrations used or other species-specific factors. Antigen 85 (Ag85) complex proteins are major secretory products of actively growing mycobacteria, and measurement of serum Ag85 could provide a method for determining active mycobacterial infections that was not dependent on host immunity. Serum Ag85 was measured by dot-immunobinding assay using monoclonal anti-Ag85, purified Ag85 standard and enhanced chemiluminescence technology in coded serum samples from 14 captive orangutans from a zoo in Colorado, 15 semi-captive orangutans in Malaysia, and 19 free-ranging wild orangutans in Malaysia. Orangutans from Colorado (USA) were culture negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium, although all had laboratory suspicion or evidence of mycobacterial infection; median serum Ag85 was 10 microU/ml (range, <0.25-630 microU/ml). Of the semi-captive orangutans, six were skin test reactive and two were culture positive for M. avium on necropsy. Median serum Ag85 for this group was 1,880 microU/ml (0.75-7,000 microU/ml), significantly higher than that of Colorado zoo or free-ranging Malaysian orangutans. Median serum Ag85 in the latter group was 125 microU/ml (range, 0.75-2,500 microU/ml). These data suggest that suggest that additional studies using more specific reagents and more samples from animals of known status are appropriate.

Pathophysiology of antigen 85 in patients with active tuberculosis: antigen 85 circulates as complexes with fibronectin and immunoglobulin G.

Antigen 85 (Ag85) complex proteins are major secretory products of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and induce strong cellular and humoral immune responses in infected experimental animals and human beings. We have previously shown that nanogram doses of these 30- to 32-kDa fibronectin-binding proteins inhibit local expression of delayed hypersensitivity by a T-cell fibronectin-dependent mechanism. Circulating levels of Ag85 might be expected to be elevated in patients with active tuberculosis and possibly to play a role in systemic anergy in these patients. To test this hypothesis, Ag85 was measured in serum and urine by a monoclonal antibody-based dot immunobinding assay in 56 patients and controls with known skin test reactivity. Median serum Ag85 levels were 50- to 150-fold higher in patients with active tuberculosis than in patients with active M. avium-intracellulare disease or other nontuberculous pulmonary disease or in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The median and range of serum Ag85 in patients with active tuberculosis was not significantly different between skin test-positive and -negative subjects. Patients with active M. avium disease could be distinguished from those with disease due to M. tuberculosis by monoclonal anti-Ag85 antibodies of appropriate specificities. No increases in urinary Ag85 were detected in any patient, regardless of the Ag85 level in serum. Chromatographic analysis and immunoprecipitation studies of serum revealed that Ag85 existed in the serum of these patients complexed to either fibronectin or immunoglobulin G (IgG). Uncomplexed circulating Ag85 was demonstrable in serum from fewer than 20% of patients with active tuberculosis. In patients with active tuberculosis, Ag85 is therefore likely to circulate primarily as complexes with plasma fibronectin and IgG rather than in unbound form. The existence of Ag85 complexes with plasma proteins would account for its lack of urinary clearance.

Molecular basis of familial cleft lip and palate.

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is one of the commonest congenital malformations and although the aetiology is still very unclear, a familial genetic component is considered to be an important factor in certain individuals. Molecular biology techniques are being used to identify the genes involved and this paper reviews current knowledge and the advances that have already been made. Recent evidence suggests a potential major gene on 6p, and a modifying role for transforming growth factor alpha (TGFA). Moreover retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) (17q), MSXI (4p), 4q and BCL3 (19q) could all be implicated in certain CLP families. In addition, the potential modifying role of various genes with the environment are considered to be important areas of research in the future. The identification of a genetic locus associated with this disease would be an important advance in CLP genetic counselling and lead to a better understanding of the genetic basis of CLP.

Efficacy of fluconazole in prophylaxis and treatment of experimental Candida endocarditis.

The efficacy of fluconazole, a bis-triazole antifungal agent, for prophylaxis and treatment of endocarditis due to Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis is assessed in a rabbit model. Fourteen daily injections of fluconazole at doses of 20 and 10 mg/kg of body weight eradicated C. albicans and C. parapsilosis, respectively, from the cardiac vegetations in all animals tested. Amphotericin B (3 mg/kg) and flucytosine (35 mg/kg) both singly and in combination failed to achieve eradication in 100% of the animals. A two-dose prophylactic regimen of 30 mg of fluconazole/kg was consistently successful in preventing experimental endocarditis caused by C. albicans or C. parapsilosis.

Distribution of the 124-kd antigen defined by monoclonal antibody AML-1-99 on normal and leukemic myeloid cells.

We have produced a monoclonal antibody (MoAb), AML-1-99, that defines a novel 124-kd protein antigen expressed on a subpopulation of monocytes and on the majority of hematopoietic progenitor cells of the granulocyte-monocyte (CFU-GM), erythroid, and mixed-lineage classes. AML-1-99 is lytic to bone marrow (BM)- and peripheral blood-derived progenitor cells in the presence of rabbit complement (C'). AML-1-99 is not toxic to progenitor cells in the absence of C', nor does it modify their growth when included in colony-forming cultures. Several leukemia cell lines, including HL-60, U937, KG-1a, and Daudi cells, express the antigen on the majority of cells. Freshly isolated leukemia cells from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) react variably with AML-1-99. Leukemia colony-forming cells from several AML patients express the antigen and could be eliminated by treatment with AML-1-99 and C'. Cell sorting and immune rosette techniques were successfully applied to normal BM and chronic myelocytic leukemia cell populations using AML-1-99 with the result that significant enrichment of CFU-GM could be accomplished. The pattern of reactivity of this MoAb and its apparent molecular weight suggests that AML-1-99 recognizes a newly defined myeloid-associated cell surface antigen.

A new form of Niemann-Pick disease characterised by temperature-labile sphingomyelinase.

A new type (F) of Niemann-Pick disease characterised by childhood onset of splenomegaly, lack of neurological involvement, and diminished sphingomyelinase activity is described. The clinical presentation and heat-labile sphingomyelinase activity of this type F Niemann-Pick disease distinguishes it from other types of Niemann-Pick disease.