Gymnema lactiferum (G. lactiferum) is a medicinal plant that has played a significant role in traditional medical systems(1). This plant has been used in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicinal practices to address various health conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, as a diuretic agent, and for digestive disorders. However, there are few scientific studies on its nutritional value and bioactive compounds. Additionally, no prior study has endeavoured to introduce this plant’s extracts into food and beverages. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to extract bioactive compounds from G. lactiferum using different extraction methods and to analyse its nutritional value and bioactivity. G. lactiferum leaf powder was extracted using different techniques and quantified for mineral and proximate composition, as well as phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant properties. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), water bath extraction (WB), and ultrasonication (US) techniques were used with 100% water extract (WE) and 50% aqueous ethanol extract (EE) as extracting solvents. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity(2) were measured. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s test for post hoc comparison analyses. The composition included carbohydrates (19.3%), crude protein (17.5%), dietary fibre (35.1%), and fat content (4.8%). The mineral profile included potassium (4200 mg/100g), calcium (950 mg/100g), phosphorus (240 mg/100g), magnesium (240 mg/100g), iron, zinc, copper, and chromium. The extracts yielding the highest TPC (11.12 ± 0.32 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), TFC (4.73 ± 0.22 mg quercetin equivalents/g), and TAC (791.00 ± 18.9 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/mg) values were for WB-WE, ASE-EE, and WB-EE, respectively. The results indicate that water extracts in all three methods exhibited pronounced efficacy in the extraction of phenolic compounds. All 50% ethanol extracts demonstrated heightened efficiency in the extraction of flavonoids from G. lactiferum leaf powder. Furthermore, ethanol extracts exhibited higher antioxidant activity compared to the water extracts across all extraction methods. The results of this study show that G. lactiferum is a significant source of various nutritional compounds, such as crude protein, dietary fibre, and potassium-like minerals, as well as bioactive compounds. The phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant characteristics varied greatly depending on the extraction method and solvent used. These results provide a better understanding of the possible uses of G. lactiferum in the development of functional food.

Sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand’s food system is essential for environmental health (taiao ora) and human well-being (tangata ora). However, achieving resilience in our food system faces significant cross-sector challenges, requiring a national food strategy that addresses environmental, economic, and social pressures(1). This work aims to develop the first national computational model of Aotearoa New Zealand’s food system, integrating key factors into a decision support tool. The model aims to support food system resilience by offering an accessible platform that could help inform decisions to strengthen preparedness for shocks, while also providing insights to enhance everyday food security. The Kai Anamata mō Aotearoa (KAMA) model leverages new data and indigenous crop trials to combine work across agriculture, environment, and human wellbeing, forming a comprehensive tool to examine food system resilience. This model will capture the resources required, outputs produced, and wellbeing outcomes of our food system. The KAMA model was built using a flow-state modelling approach, which allows for flexible configuration of land uses and ensures that the model can adapt to future technologies and climate change scenarios. The preliminary development the KAMA model was used to demonstrate the current production system and applied to a regional case study from Te Tauihu, integrating region-specific food production data, including apples, kiwifruit, mussels, wine, and hops production. Outputs included labour, carbon dioxide emissions and mass of production. Beyond food production, this model will enable users to explore the impacts of land use for commodity production, the effects of trade, nutrient supply, and the broader implications for well-being. model will be made publicly accessible online to allow any interested individual to explore the future of the national food system.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with impaired lipids levels being a significant risk factor (1). This meta-analysis provides comprehensive insights on the impact of bovine dairy-derived milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation on blood lipid profiles in adults. A systematic search was conducted across various databases (including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, ACS Publications, Academic Search Index, BMJ Journals, BNP Media, and others) up until March 2024, resulting in the inclusion of six trials with a total of 464 participants. The findings indicate that MFGM phospholipid supplementation may significantly reduce total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. A combined analysis of the effects on TC, LDL and triglycerides (TG) revealed a significant overall reduction in these markers (SMDs = −0.174; 95% CI: −0.328~−0.021; p = 0.026; I2 = 0%). However, no significant increase or reduction was observed for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (SMDs = 0.019; 95% CI: −0.289~0.326; p = 0.906; I2 = 95.5%) and TG levels (SMDs = −0.083; 95% CI: −0.198~0.033; p = 0.160; I2 = 0%). Overall, these results suggest that MFGM supplementation could be a promising dietary intervention for improving lipid profiles in adults. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to confirm these results and to better understand the potential variability in the impact of MFGM on blood lipid levels.

This article is part of Religious Studies’ new initiative to publish a series of interviews with distinguished philosophers of religion. Each interview explores the personal and academic background of the interviewee and discusses their core philosophical views. The aim is to inspire students and scholars and to provide an overview of some of the most important works developed by contemporary philosophers of religion. In this interview, Jeremiah Joven Joaquin interviews Graham Oppy, covering topics such as his entry into philosophy, his views on naturalism and atheism, and why there is no successful argument for or against the existence of God, as well as his advice for those interested in pursuing a career in professional academic philosophy.

Optimal early childhood nutrition is central to healthy growth, wellbeing and development. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model (NPPM)(1) recommends that commercial infant and toddler foods do not carry compositional, nutrition, health or marketing claims. The Food Regulation Standing Committee of Australia and New Zealand (NZ) has identified labelling of these foods as a current area of concern(2). This study aims to identify on-pack labelling and marketing claims on commercial packaged foods aimed at infants and toddlers in NZ. Relevant infant and toddler products available in NZ supermarkets were identified through Nutritrack(3), a packaged food database managed by the University of Auckland. Information was collected from four major NZ supermarket chains in Auckland. Photographs of packaged foods and beverages were taken and names, brands, labelling, ingredients and NIP information identified. Data were collected between April and July 2023. In January 2024, online supermarket websites were checked for additional products. Infant products were those intended for ages up to 11 months as indicated on the package, and toddler products for ages 12 months to 36 months. Claims on each side of the package were coded using a pre-existing coding structure according to the three main categories identified in the WHO NPPM, composition and nutrition claims, health claims, and marketing claims, The absence or presence of the type of claim was noted. Descriptive statistics were conducted using Microsoft Excel to analyse frequency of types of claims. Two hundred and ten products were identified, 167 infant and 43 toddler products. All products had some type of claim on the package. On average, there were 7 unique types of claims per product (range 3-14) for both infant and toddler foods. The most common type of claims were composition and nutrition claims, with a mean of 4.0 types per product, followed by 3.3 types of marketing claims and 0.16 health claims. The most prevalent composition and nutrition claims were ‘free from’ claims relating to the absence of ingredients generally perceived to be harmful, most commonly flavours (on 72% of packages), colours (71%), added sugar (53%), preservatives (43%) and salt (33%). Two-thirds of packages (68%) carried statements on the natural or healthy nature of the ingredients mentioning words like organic/fresh/real or natural on-pack. All infant and toddler products carried some type of claim with the most common being about the composition or nutrition of the product, particularly the absence of additives, sugar and salt. Regulation is needed to ensure that parents and caregivers receive accurate information, preventing them from being misled when making purchasing decisions for their children.

Nourishing kai supports behaviour and concentration, tamariki learn well when food secure and eat regularly(1). Early food experiences influence our relationship with food as adults(2) and that tamariki health and wellbeing are shaped by education environments(3). WAVE (Well-being and Vitality in Education) has enduring partnerships with all preschools, kindergartens, playcentres, primary and secondary schools in our South Canterbury rohe(3), supporting healthy education environments with the goal of reducing inequities in health and education outcomes. Despite concerns about food security and processed foods, health promotion advisors note kaiako reluctance to promote nutrition using a whole-setting approach. The whole school approach(4) includes policies and procedures for kai (food) and wai (water), nutrition education within teaching and learning and nutrition messages promoted to whānau through enrolment information, learning stories/newsletters and displays, and in conversations with whānau. We describe an increase in kaiako acceptability occurring with the move from discussing nutrition as ‘healthy eating’ to using language of ‘supporting positive kai environments’. We include examples of mahi that the education settings put in place in this process. Between October 2023 and June 2024, WAVE provided internal professional development for health promotion kaimahi, focusing on supporting positive kai environments. Resources were redeveloped to align with messages about fostering positive relationships with kai and encouraging tamariki to be food explorers(5). The updated approach was widely communicated through newsletters and meetings with kaiako, alongside sharing relevant webinar and article resources from the Education Hub and Heart Foundation to support kaiako professional development. Health promotion advisors working with early childhood education and primary schools discussed nutrition within the broader context of positive kai and wai environments, aiming to develop positive relationships with food. These discussions took place through a combination of one-on-one meetings with lead kaiako each term and staff team meetings. Interview questions were sent to priority education (n=10) settings in September 2024 to gather feedback on barriers to promoting nutrition, how the change to ‘positive kai and supporting kai explorers’ has made a difference, and to hear the settings’ plans for current and future action in their setting. Responses from 8 ECE indicated that WAVE PD workshops using Heart Foundation resources were the resources they found most useful in enabling them to support tamariki as kai explorers. The shift to ‘positive kai environments’ has given kaiako consistent positive language around food, created space for tamariki to be self-directing with food, and has been mana-enhancing for tamariki and whānau. Kaiako stated that this evidence-based approach has taken the pressure off food, and kaiako are more responsive to tamariki needs. Kaiako are more willing to approach nutrition messages in a holistic manner to support tamariki.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and painful gastrointestinal disorder associated with significantly worse physical functioning (abnormal physiology, visceral hypersensitivity, inflammation, immune dysregulation, microbiome, and malabsorption issues). IBS isinfluenced by genetic disposition, psychological factors and diet, significantly and adversely affects quality of life(1). Internationally IBS is a common disorder in primary and speciality care affecting 13 to 20% of people(2). IBS imposes a significant economic burden to health systems(2). The prevalence and economic results of IBS make it a major public health concern. Existing interventions revolve separately around diet (particularly the low FODMAP diet) and stress management. The goal of this project was to create a multimodal lifestyle intervention explicitly designed to enhance the health-related quality of life in women treated for IBS in Aotearoa with the imperative to minimise the risk of IBS recurrence and to reduce the burden of the long-term physical and psychological symptoms. This IBS programme builds on the well-established Women’s Wellness Programs (WWP) based at the Health Faculty, University of Technology, Sydney. These are robust and systematic programmes developed within the WWP team which comprises international experts in women’s health and chronic conditions, of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. All WWP employ individually tailored strategies to instil positive behavioural change. They are also designed for virtual delivery through participants’ mobile computing devices to ensure regional and rural access. This presentation explains the ‘The Aotearoa Women’s Wellness Program for IBS’ prototype that has been developed. This programme is designed based on the results of a study where IBS participants (n=15) and separately health professionals or researchers (n=15) working in the field of IBS in New Zealand were all asked the same questions about the IBS journey, including diagnosis and treatment. Their responses detailed how IBS adversely affected all aspects of quality of life, raised issues with diagnosis and treatment and articulated desired support approaches. When given information about the WWP and asked to provide feedback on it, all 30 interviewed participants agreed that a WWP health promotion approach for IBS was feasible, relevant, and warranted. Through this feedback the programme was developed. Participants work through the content to address issues such as nutrition, stress management, and physical activity, guided by a health professional with expertise in gut health. Various activities and opportunities to reflect are distributed throughout the programme to identify goals to help participants make and embed appropriate changes in their lifestyles. This new, evidence-based programme for IBS is now available to health professionals working in clinical situations related to gut health in Aotearoa. It gives them the opportunity to redesign care, irrespective of where care is delivered, in a way that is responsive to the needs of people with IBS.

Heart failure in children is a clinical and pathophysiological syndrome arising from ventricular dysfunction and pressure or volume overload of the circulatory system. Features of paediatric heart failure include feeding problems, poor weight gain, exercise intolerance, or dyspnoea. The aetiology of heart failure in children is complex, with the primary causes being CHD and cardiomyopathies. Cardiomyopathies occur at an incidence of 1.13–1.24 cases per 100,000 children. The prevalence of cardiomyopathy is estimated to be 7.8–8.3 cases per 100,000 infants, particularly common in patients under one year of age presenting with severe heart failure symptoms. Mitral valve insufficiency is a significant source of morbidity in children with dilated cardiomyopathy. Severe mitral insufficiency can lead to a decrease in cardiac output, independent of the left ventricular ejection fraction, exacerbating the clinical course of heart failure in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. As ventricular systolic function deteriorates, the options for treating mitral insufficiency decrease, leading to a loss of surgical intervention opportunities and making heart transplantation the only viable option. Close monitoring of mitral valve insufficiency in children with dilated cardiomyopathy is essential, as it may lead to decompensated heart failure. In patients who have lost the chance for valve surgery due to decompensation, the application of left ventricular assist device can help improve the decompensatory state and contribute to the reduction of left ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions, consequently leading to improvements in the dilation of the mitral annulus and severe mitral insufficiency findings. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal timing for surgery in patients who have not missed the chance for valve surgery due to a decrease in ejection fraction.

In recent years, analysts have raised concerns about the threat misinformation poses to democracy, yet efforts to counter misinformation have been met with charges of bias and censorship, predominantly from the political right. This article asks who sets the terms of debate over misinformation: what it is, how much there is, whether it is a problem, and what to do about it. It frames the past decade’s controversies around misinformation as an implicit struggle for authority and offers a framework to interpret the arguments of the actors involved. It identifies three coalitions with distinct institutional and ideological profiles that have articulated consistent stances on misinformation. The analysis demonstrates how contestation among competing coalitions plays out in five distinct domains of misinformation: content, attribution, scale, consequences, and policy. Viewing the misinformation debate as part of broader political and cultural struggles within democracies at a time of low trust in institutions helps explain why (mis)information is so fiercely contested. The issue takes on outsize proportions because whoever prevails in shaping the discourse surrounding misinformation stands to gain authority over the rules governing the public sphere, with implications for the future of free speech and democratic participation.

The Nova classification(1) categorises foods according to the degree of food processing. Ultra-processed food have undergone a high level of industrial processing and typically contain cosmetic additives(1). Increased consumption of ultra-processed food has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including obesity and chronic diseases(2). Evaluating household food acquisition according to the Nova classification allows the assessment of dietary quality within populations, a strategy of nutrition surveillance that can support the development of effective public health actions to improve dietary quality. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), there is limited up-to-date information on population dietary habits and a lack of data on ultra-processed food consumption. This study aimed to: i) develop a methodology to classify food items purchased by NZ households according to the Nova food groups: unprocessed/minimally processed foods (Group 1 [G1]), processed culinary ingredients (Group 2 [G2]), processed foods (Group 3 [G3]), and ultra-processed foods (Group 4 [G4]) and; ii) to describe the proportions of unique food items purchased according to Nova. We obtained data on food items purchased by NZ households from the 2019 NielsenIQ Homescan® panel, a national dataset of approximately 2,000 households who recorded their grocery purchases over 1-year. In total, 28,824 unique items were purchased. Using barcodes, we merged the products with the 2019 Nutritrack dataset, an inventory of NZ supermarkets foods(2), to obtain the products’ ingredient lists. We followed best practices for classification according to Nova(3). Where available, the ingredient lists were used to classify products. Of the total unique products, 13,263 (46%) were matched to Nutritrack and classified based on their ingredient lists. For the remaining 15,561 products (54%), we identified whole Nielsen product categories (PC) that were exclusively associated with a single Nova group. Items classified by PC level included rice, fresh fruits, eggs and coffee beans in G1; baking powder, liquid cooking oils and salt in G2; beer and wine in G3; and margarine, carbonated soft drinks and bubble gum in G4. An additional 6,398 products were identified at this stage, representing 41.1% of the total 15,561 products without ingredient lists. We classified the remaining 9,163 items (58.9% of those 15,561 without ingredient list) based on the distribution of Nova groups for the 60% most purchased items within their PC. If the ingredient list was absent for any item under the 60% most purchased group, it was obtained from a search of online supermarkets. The final unweighted distribution of unique products purchased in NZ according to the Nova classification were 5583 (21.7%) in G1, 671 (2.6%) in G2, 3043 (11.8%) in G3, and 16466 (63.9%) in G4. Further stages of the research will estimate the energy from Nova groups derived from household food purchases in NZ, examining socioeconomic distribution and temporal trends.

The Noctuidae (Lepidoptera) comprise the most diverse and abundant lepidopteran families in the Canadian Prairie Ecozone. Within this group, some species are agricultural pests that require monitoring. Pheromone lures target specific species, whereas food-bait lures attract a broader range. This study reports the diversity and abundance of noctuid moths captured in traps baited with female sex pheromones of pest species and with food-bait lures consisting of acetic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol (AAMB) with fermented byproduct or floral volatile compounds. Food-bait lures that attract pests and nonpest species can provide insight into moth populations and species richness in human-managed ecosystems. We trapped moths in wheat (Poaceae) and canola (Brassicaceae) fields in central Alberta, Canada. We captured and identified to species approximately 7900 noctuid moths. Community composition was similar in both crops. Sex pheromone–baited traps had variable specificity and low nontarget diversity. Traps baited with AAMB captured greater moth diversity than unbaited traps did. Noctuinae were the most diverse and abundant in AAMB-baited traps (62 species across 8 tribes). The AAMB lures captured more cutworm and armyworm pests than unbaited traps did. Fermented byproduct food–bait lures captured more noctuid pests than floral volatiles did. The AAMB lures can be implemented to monitor Noctuinae diversity and potentially assess local noctuid pest density in agroecosystems on the Canadian prairies.

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), a native spice of Sri Lanka, is rich in bioactive compounds known for their potent antioxidant properties, which contribute to various health benefits such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects(1). However, the concentration of these bioactives can fluctuate throughout the plant’s life due to internal and external factors such as light, temperature, and stress responses. This study aimed to investigate the changes in total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity at different stages of maturity (1st to 4th year), using two extraction methods: ultrasonic extraction and accelerated solvent extraction. The identification and quantification of key bioactive compounds, including cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and cinnamic acid, were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The accelerated solvent extraction proved to be more effective in extracting TPC, TFC, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and inhibiting DPPH. The extracts obtained from the accelerated solvent extractor showed a notable decrease in TPC (from 55.89±4.28 to 14.12±0.75 mg/g gallic acid equivalent) and TFC (from 170.08±13.75 to 39.35±9.39 mg/100g quercetin equivalent) up to the 3rd year, followed by an increase in TPC (from 14.12±0.75 to 19.71±0.49 mg/g gallic acid equivalent) and TFC (from 39.35±9.39 to 68.82±9.44 mg/100g quercetin equivalent) thereafter. The highest and lowest DPPH inhibition of 85.30 ± 0.39% and 40.68 ± 1.08% was observed with the 1st year and 3rd year plants. There was no significant difference between the DPPH inhibition of the 2nd and 4th year plants (p>0.05). The highest yields of eugenol (18.2485±0.02 mg/g of dry weight) and cinnamaldehyde (22.1475±0.024 mg/g of dry weight) were observed in the 3rd-year plant extracts obtained via accelerated solvent extraction. Conversely, the highest yield of cinnamic acid (0.4161±0.00 mg/g of dry weight) was found in 4th-year plants extracted using ultrasonic extraction. A statistically significant correlation was observed between cinnamaldehyde and eugenol content (p<0.05, R²=0.992), TPC and cinnamic acid (p<0.05, R²=0.906), and TFC and cinnamic acid (p<0.05, R²=0.956) across all ages. This study offers valuable insights into the variation of essential bioactive compounds in cinnamon as the plant matures, facilitating the optimization of its applications.

Grounded in institutional theory, this study delves into the heterogeneous responses of politically connected top executives (PCTEs) to uniform institutional requirements for corporate environmental responsibility (CER). Specifically, we scrutinized the moderating role of organizational visibility in shaping the association between PCTEs and both environmentally responsible and irresponsible practices. Analyzing data from listed Chinese firms in heavily polluting industries spanning from 2010 to 2018, the findings indicate that PCTEs contribute to an increase in firms’ environmentally responsible activities and a decrease in their environmentally irresponsible activities. Notably, the impact on environmentally responsible activities is significant only for privately controlled PCTEs. Furthermore, the moderating influence of organizational visibility is validated. The implications of these findings for the broader research on political connections and CER are thoroughly discussed.

The prognosis of neonatal Ebstein’s anomaly requiring early surgery is poor, especially with a circular shunt. We report a critically ill case managed with emergency two-stage Starnes surgery immediately after birth. We hypothesised that the three components of the Starnes procedure, right ventricle exclusion, atrial septal defect creation, and systemic-to-pulmonary shunt, could be organised and reconstructed in a consecutive two-stage strategy to control postoperative circulatory fluctuations.