Mental health disorders including depression and anxiety are major contributors to global disease burden. Evidence indicates that nutrition may play a role in supporting mental health, with most investigations centred on one-carbon metabolism related B-vitamins (1). Recently it has been reported that polyphenol supplementation, particularly those high in anthocyanins (such as blueberries) may improve mood states, including depressive symptoms and anxiety (2). This pilot study aimed to investigate the influence of a combined multivitamin and blueberry extract multinutrient (Vitals+, Heights, UK) on B-vitamin biomarkers and mental wellbeing in healthy adults.

14 healthy adults (8 males, mean age ±SD 38 ±10 yrs) were recruited. Exclusion criteria were: coeliac disease, mental health condition, pregnancy or breastfeeding or taking nutritional supplements in the past 3 months. Participants received an 8-month supplementation of Vitals+ once a day. The supplement contained, among other nutrients, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and vitamin B6 at a dose of 30mg each, 500μg of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (B9) and 25μg methylcobalamin (B12) alongside 80mg blueberry extract. B-vitamin biomarker status and mental state were assessed pre-post intervention.

Functional biomarkers of vitamin B1, B2 and B6 were measured using the Erythrocyte Transketolase (ETKac), Erythrocyte Glutathione Reductase (EGRac) and Erythrocyte Glutamic Oxaloacetic Trans-aminase (EGOTac) activation coefficient assays, respectively. Folate was measured in red blood cells (RBCF) and holotranscobalamin in serum was utilised for B12 assessment. Mental wellbeing was assessed using three validated questionnaires: the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Differences in outcome measure were assessed pre-post intervention using paired samples t-tests (p<0.05 was considered significant).

At baseline 71% of participants had suboptimal/deficient thiamine status (ETKac ≤ 1.25) whereas 50% were riboflavin deficient (EGRac ≥1.40). Mean values ±SD for EGOTac, RBCF and holotranscobalamin were above the threshold for deficiencies, (1.37±0.12), (654±203 nmol/L) and (70±35 pmol/L) respectively, with no cases of deficiency for these nutrients. There was a significant improvement in thiamine (p=0.024), riboflavin (p<0.001), folate (p<0.001) and B12 (p=0.021) status post intervention but no change in vitamin B6 (p=0.167) biomarker status. For mental wellbeing outcomes, a trend towards significant improvement by 4-points was reported in the GHQ-12 (p=0.062), with a 30% reduction in participants fulfilling the criteria suggestive of psychological distress. There was no significant change in PSS (p=0.179) or total POMS (p=0.167). However, when subdomains of POMS were investigated, significant decreases in fatigue (p=0.028), confusion (p=0.017), self-esteem (p=0.022) and tension (p=0.047) were observed.

At baseline B6, folate and B12 status was adequate however thiamine and riboflavin deficiencies were prevalent. Vitals+ normalised thiamine and riboflavin status and further improved biomarker status of other one-carbon metabolism related B-vitamins. The multinutrient may present an easily accessible intervention to improve B-vitamin status and mental health and wellbeing in adults.

The benefits of consumption of a high quantity of plant-based foods on human health are widely reported in observational and intervention studies (1,2). A growing body of evidence indicates plant-based food diversity as a potential additional target for improvement of diet-related health outcomes (3). The aim of this study was to investigate associations between plant-based food diversity and cardiometabolic health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of UK adults.

Cross-sectional data collected as part of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) Rolling Programme Year 9 (2016/2017) were used (4). Plant-based food diversity from all plant food sub-groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds, fats, oils and beverages) was determined from analysis of 4-day estimated food diaries. Demographic data were collected by personal interviews and self-reported questionnaires. Health outcome data were collected at nurse visits; body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure were measured, and blood samples were collected for analysis of blood lipids and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Associations between plant-based diversity and health outcomes were explored via multivariable linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, education and income (model 0), in addition to quantity of plant-based food, diet quality, daily energy intake, alcohol, smoking status, and prescribed medications (model 1), and BMI (model 2). Differences in health outcomes between diversity terciles (low, median 5.5 counts/d, IQR 1.8; moderate, median 8.1 counts/d, IQR 1.3; and high, median 11.0 counts/d, IQR 2.3) were assessed via analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with covariates as described for models 0-2.

Overall, 638 adults were included (median age 47, IQR 30; 58.5% female; 90% white; 29% with a degree). Plant-based food diversity was positively associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration (B = 0.024 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.005, 0.043, p = 0.014, adj. R2 = 0.212; model 0), and inversely associated with HbA1c concentration (B = -0.524 mmol/mol, 95% CI -0.977, -0.71, p = 0.023, adj. R2 = 0.559; model 1). Associations were no longer significant following additional adjustment for BMI (model 2). There was a significant difference in BMI across diversity terciles (p = 0.003; Quade non-parametric ANCOVA; model 0). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons revealed BMI was significantly higher in the moderate diversity tercile (median 27.5 kg/m2, IQR 7.0) in comparison to the high diversity tercile (median 26.0 kg/m2, IQR 6.0; p = 0.001).

This is the first study to determine the associations between intakes of diverse plant-based foods and cardiometabolic health outcomes in UK adults. Consumption of diverse plant-based foods is associated with cardiometabolic health benefits, namely higher concentrations of HDL-C, lower concentrations of HbA1c, and lower BMI. These results warrant further investigation in a robust randomised controlled trial, to elucidate the health effects and underlying mechanisms of consuming a high diversity of plant-based foods.

Graduates from life sciences, including nutrition, will be at the forefront of promoting environmental, social, and food systems sustainability. The requisite competencies for their future roles include systems thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and effective communication, which are essential to navigating the complex interrelationship between human health and the environment [1,2]. To address this need, a 'Living Laboratory’ (LL) within a higher education (HE) food service setting could enrich the traditional laboratory experience, allowing students to cultivate these skills through experiential learning. This project aimed to i) scope the published literature to characterise LL examples within a HE food environment and ii) explore the understanding and perceptions of a LL concept in a food service setting for final year student research projects among students and academics at King’s College London.

A systematic scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines (Registration OSF:d7y96). Two databases were searched (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science) from January 2010 to July 2024 to identify articles reporting the design, implementation or evaluation of LL in HE food service settings. A narrative synthesis was performed, and the resulting themes were used to inform focus groups (KCL Ethics:LRM-23/24-42657) with academic staff (two groups, nine participants) and students (four groups, seven postgraduate and nine undergraduate participants). Focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach [3].

Twenty-one articles were included in the scoping review. Common terms used to describe the LL concept included ‘innovation’, ‘collaboration’, ‘diverse stakeholders’, ‘enabling students’ and ‘practical learning experiences’. Recommendations for implementing LLs were provided in six articles and included engagement and outreach with stakeholders; managing conflicts; assessing impact; and establishing ethical and governance frameworks. The focus group findings indicated that both students and academics view the LL concept as a dynamic, real-world setting, emphasizing engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Academics perceived the educational benefits of LLs as fostering experiential learning and perceived the barriers to implementation as including a lack of resources, scheduling conflicts, insufficient stakeholder engagement and unclear governance frameworks. Students highlighted the importance of aligning projects with taught programme content. and identified challenges such as limited awareness, unequal engagement across disciplines, time constraints, and concerns about inclusivity and equity across campuses. Students agreed that the LL provided opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in sustainability, science communication and real-world evidence studies, opening new career options after graduation. Lastly, altruism to improve food environments for peers and future students was a significant driving factor in student engagement.

Implementing LLs in HE food service settings requires input from multiple stakeholders. This scoping project identified key considerations from both academic staff and students to inform the co-design of a LL in a HE food service setting.

Antenatal corticosteroids are given to pregnant people at risk of preterm birth to reduce newborn morbidity, including respiratory distress syndrome. However, there has been concern surrounding potential adverse effects on subsequent generations. Animal studies have demonstrated endocrine and metabolic changes in those exposed to corticosteroids in utero (F1) and in the second generation (F2). We aimed to assess the effects of parental antenatal corticosteroid exposure on health of the second generation (F2) of Auckland Steroid Trial (AST) participants. In the AST, women (F0) expected to birth between 24 and 36 weeks’ gestation were randomised to betamethasone or placebo. When their children (F1) were 50 years old, they and their children (F2) were followed up with a self-report questionnaire and data linkage. The primary outcome for this analysis was body mass index (BMI) z-score in the F2 generation. Secondary outcomes included respiratory, cardiovascular, neurodevelopmental, mental and general health, and social outcomes. Of the 213 F2 participants, 144 had BMI data available. There was no difference in BMI z-score between participants whose parent was exposed to betamethasone versus placebo (mean (SD) 0.63 (1.45), N = 77 vs 0.41 (1.28), N = 67, adjusted mean difference (95% confidence interval) = 0.16 (-0.37, 0.69)). There was no evidence of a difference in rates of overweight, diabetes, respiratory disease, cardiometabolic risk factors, neurodevelopmental difficulties, mental health difficulties and social outcomes between parental betamethasone versus placebo exposure groups, but confidence intervals were wide. These findings are reassuring regarding the intergenerational safety of antenatal corticosteroids.

Neodiplostomum vaucheri Dubois, 1983 is a digenean trematode originally described from the intestine of the woolly false vampire bat, Chrotopterus auritus (Peters, 1856), in the northwestern Peruvian Amazon. Decades later, it was also reported from the fringe-lipped bat, Trachops cirrhosis (Spix, 1823), in Ecuador. During a helminthological survey of phyllostomid bats at the Kawsay Biological Station in Madre de Dios, southeastern Peruvian Amazonia, specimens of Neodiplostomum Railliet, 1919 were recovered from the intestine of T. cirrhosus. Morphological comparisons with the holotype confirmed these specimens as conspecific with N. vaucheri. Phylogenetic inference supported the morphological identification, recovering the Peruvian isolate with an N. vaucheri isolate from another South American region within the same clade, with strong support (ML = 90; BI = 0.9587). The observed genetic divergence (4.47% under the Kimura two-parameter model and 4.27% based on uncorrected p-distances) in the partial cox1 sequence may indicate cryptic diversity, as previously noted in congeners. This represents the first integrative characterization of a digenean from a bat host in Peru, contributing to our understanding of parasite diversity in neotropical chiropterans. Furthermore, the use of third-generation sequencing technology (Oxford Nanopore) proved effective for generating reliable partial gene sequences, underscoring its applicability in molecular helminthology.

Cryphodera guangdongensis n. sp. was collected from the soil and roots of Schima superba in Guangdong province, China. The new species is characterised by having a nearly spherical female, with dimensions of length × width = 532.3 (423.8–675.3) × 295.6 (160.0–381.2) μm, stylet length of 35.7 (31.1–42.1) μm, protruding vulval lips, a vulval slit measuring 54.2 (47.4–58.9) μm, an area between the vulva and anus that is flat to concave, and a vulva–anus distance 49.3 (41.1–57.6) μm. The male features two lip annules, a stylet length of 31.7 (27.4–34.8) μm and basal knobs that are slightly projecting anteriorly, while lateral field is areolated with three incisures and spicules length of 27.1 (23.7–31.0) μm. The second stage juvenile is characterised by a body length of 506.1 (441.8–564.4) μm long, two to three lip annules, a stylet length 31.2 (29.7–33.2) μm which is well developed, basal knobs projecting anteriorly, a lateral field that is areolate with three incisures, and a narrow rounded tail measuring 63.2 (54.2–71.3) μm long, with a hyaline region of 35.6 (27.4–56.6) μm long that is longer than the stylet. Based on morphology and morphometrics, the new species is closely related to C. sinensis and C. japonicum within the genus Cryphodera. The phylogenetic trees constructed based on the ITS-rRNA, 28S-rRNA D2–D3 region, and the partial COI gene sequences indicate that the new species clusters with other Cryphodera species but maintains in a separated subgroup. A key to the species of the genus Cryphodera is also provided in this study.

Malnutrition from poor diet is a persistent issue in Sri Lanka, especially among women and children. High rates of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are documented among rural poor communities(1). Household food production may enhance maternal and child nutrition directly by increasing access to diverse foods and indirectly by providing income to diversify diets(2). This study explores the cross-sectional relationship between household food production and individual dietary diversity among women aged 18-45 years and children aged 2-5 years in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka. We randomly selected 450 low-income mother-child pairs receiving a Samurdhi subsidiary, having a home garden. Through face-to-face interview, we gathered information on the types of crops grown and livestock reared in the preceding 12 months. Production quantity and utilization were also detailed. Additionally, socio-demographic information and market access were obtained. To measure women’s dietary diversity (DD), we used a scale based on 10-food groups and a 7-food group scale for children. Women who consumed five or more food groups were defined as meeting the Minimum Dietary Diversity of Women (MDD-W), whereas children who consumed of four or more food groups met the minimum standards. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were used to identify the factors predicting individual DD. Complete data for 411 pairs were analysed. The results showed, only 15.3% of the women met MDD-W, with a mean DDS of 3.3 (SD = 1.2). Children had a mean DDS of 3.3 (SD = 1.2), and 41.1% of them met the minimum diversity. Regression analysis indicated that growing leafy vegetables was positively associated with increased dietary diversity of women (β = 0.337; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.54; p = 0.001) and children (β = 0.234; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.42; p = 0.013) but not with meeting the minimum diversity. Moreover, monthly income above 35,000 LKR, higher education level, a secondary income source andfood security were also positively associated with women’s DD. Conversely, living further away from the main road reduced the women’s DD. Interestingly, livestock ownership was only associated with women meeting the MDD-W, but not for children. For children, monthly income was a strong predictor of DD and meeting minimum diversity. Surprisingly, living far from the market was associated with increased DD in children (β = 0.018; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03; p = 0.013), while distance to main road had a similar effect as in women. Notably, selling their produce at the market contributed to meeting the minimum dietary diversity in children (β = 0.573; 95% CI: 0.14, 1.02; p = 0.013). These findings suggest that enhancing household food production could play a crucial role in improving dietary diversity and addressing malnutrition, particularly in rural Sri Lankan communities, and potentially in other similar settings.

Poor iron status is one of the most prevalent problems facing infants worldwide, in both developing and developed countries(1). A complex interplay of both dietary and non-dietary factors affects iron intake, absorption, and requirements, and subsequently iron status(2). We aimed to describe iron status in an ethnically diverse cohort of urban-dwelling infants. Data were collected from 364 infants aged 7.0 to 10.0 months living in two main urban centres in New Zealand (Auckland and Dunedin) between July 2020 and February 2022. Participants were grouped by total ethnicity, with any participants who did not identify as either Māori or Pacific categorised into a single ‘others’ group. Haemoglobin, plasma ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), C-Reactive protein, and alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein were obtained from a non-fasting venous blood sample. Inflammation was adjusted for using the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anaemia (BRINDA) method(3). Body iron concentration (mg/kg body weight) was calculated using the ratio of sTfR and ferritin. A total of 96.3% of Pacific infants were iron sufficient, defined as body iron ≥0 mg/kg body weight and haemoglobin (Hb) ≥105 g/L, compared to 82.3% of Māori and 76.0% of ‘other’ (i.e. neither Māori nor Pacific) infants. ‘Other’ infants had the highest prevalence of iron deficiency overall, with 2.8% categorised with iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) (body iron <0 mg/kg, haemoglobin <105 g/L), 11.8% with early ‘functional’ iron deficiency (body iron <0 mg/kg, haemoglobin ≥105 g/L), and 9.4% with iron depletion (ferritin <15 µg/L, in the absence of early ‘functional’ iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia). For Māori infants, 3.2% and 6.5% had IDA and early ‘functional’ iron deficiency respectively, and 8.1% were iron depleted. One (3.7%) Pacific infant was iron depleted, and the remainder were iron sufficient. Plasma ferritin and body iron concentration were, on average, higher in Pacific compared to non-Pacific infants. These findings give an up-to-date and robust understanding of the iron status of infants by ethnicity, highlighting an unexpected finding that infants who are neither Māori nor Pacific may be at higher risk of poor iron status in NZ.

The significance of human milk in an infant’s diet is well-established, yet accurately measuring human milk intake remains challenging. Current methods are either unsuitable for large-scale studies, such as the dose-to-mother stable isotope technique, or rely on set amounts of human milk, regardless of known variability in individual intake(1). There is a paucity of data on how much infants consume, particularly in later infancy (>6 months) when complementary foods have been introduced. This research aimed to estimate human milk intakes and total infant milk intakes (including infant formula) in New Zealand infants aged 7-10 months, explore factors that predict these intakes, and develop and validate equations to predict human milk intake using simple measures. Human milk intake data were obtained using the dose-to-mother stable isotope technique in infants aged 7-10 months and their mothers as part of the First Foods New Zealand study (FFNZ)(2). Predictive equations were developed using questionnaire and anthropometric data (Model 1) and additional dietary data from diet recalls (Model 2)(3). The validity of existing methods to estimate human milk intake (NHANES and ALSPAC studies) was compared against the dose-to-mother results. FFNZ included 625 infants, with 157 mother-infant dyads providing complete data for determining human milk volume. Using the dose-to-mother data, the measured mean (SD) human milk intake was 785 (264) g/day. Older infants had lower human milk and total milk intakes, male infants consumed more total milk. The strongest predictors of human milk intake were infant age, infant body mass index, number of breastfeeds a day, infant formula consumption, and energy from complementary food intake. When the predictive equations were tested, mean (95% CI) differences in predicted versus measured human milk intake (mean, [SD]: 762 [257] mL/day) were 0.0 mL/day (-26, 26) for Model 1 and 0.5 mL/day (-21, 22) for Model 2. In contrast, the NHANES and ALSPAC methods underestimated intake by 197 mL/day (-233, -161) and 175 mL/day (-216, -134), respectively. The predictive equations are presented as the Human Milk Intake Level Calculations (HuMILC) tool, designed for use in large-scale studies to more accurately estimate human milk intakes of infants. The use of objective quantifiable assessment methods enhances our understanding of infant human milk intakes, improving our ability to accurately assess nutritional adequacy in infants.

The global food system puts enormous pressure on the environment. Managing these pressures requires understanding not only where they occur (i.e., where food is produced), but also who drives them (i.e., where food is consumed). However, the size and complexity of global supply chains make it difficult to trace food production to consumption. Here, we provide the most comprehensive dataset of bilateral trade flows of environmental pressures stemming from food production from producing to consuming nations. The dataset provides environmental pressures for greenhouse gas emissions, water use, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and the area of land/water occupancy of food production for crops and animals from land, freshwater, and ocean systems. To produce these data, we improved upon reported food trade and production data to identify producing and consuming nations for each food item, allowing us to match food flows with appropriate environmental pressure data. These data provide a resource for research on sustainable global food consumption and the drivers of environmental impact.

Despite prior research on political capabilities and their relationships with meaningful outcomes at work, it remains unclear why certain employees are incapable of successfully navigating workplace politics. To clarify this, our research develops and validates a measure of political self-efficacy at work (PSEW) across seven independent and varying samples. Evidence from faculty members and subject-matter experts in Study 1 provides initial support for the content validity of the new PSEW scale. Then, in Studies 2 and 3, we employ two separate samples to confirm the scale’s convergent and discriminant validity and factor structure. We repeat this process, in Study 4, on several new nomological neighbors (e.g., the Dark Triad traits, general political behavior, impression management, and political will). In Studies 5 and 6, using multi-wave and multi-source data, we assess the criterion-related and predictive validity of the PSEW scale, and in Study 7, we test our full theoretical model. Altogether, these findings verify the nomological network and validity of the new PSEW measure and provide theoretical and practical developments surrounding organizational politics.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is believed to be a critical prerequisite for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to investigate whether anti-EBV titres are elevated before the onset of MS symptoms in people with radiologically isolated syndrome (pwRIS) and to evaluate their association with markers of adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) titres were quantified in a cohort of 47 pwRIS and 24 healthy controls using Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay. Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light protein (NfL) were measured using single-molecule array. MRI lesion metrics and the development of MS symptoms over time were also evaluated. Results: EBNA1 titres were higher pwRIS compared to healthy controls (p=0.038), while VCA titres were not (p=0.237). A positive correlation was observed between EBNA1 titres and plasma GFAP in pwRIS (p=0.005). Neither EBNA1 nor VCA titres correlated with NfL. MRI lesion measures and the development of MS symptoms did not show any significant relationship with EBNA1 or VCA titres. Conclusions: Eelevated EBNA1 titres are detectable prior to MS symptom onset and correlate with GFAP, a biomarker associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, their role in disease progression and clinical outcomes requires further investigation.

Background: Our prior six-year review (n=2165) revealed 24% of patients undergoing posterior decompression surgeries (laminectomy or discectomy) sought emergency department (ED) care within three months post-surgery. We established an integrated Spine Assessment Clinic (SAC) to enhance patient outcomes and minimize unnecessary ED visits through pre-operative education, targeted QI interventions, and early post-operative follow-up. Methods: We reviewed 13 months of posterior decompression data (n=205) following SAC implementation. These patients received individualized, comprehensive pre-operative education and follow-up phone calls within 7 days post-surgery. ED visits within 90 days post-surgery were tracked using provincial databases and compared to our pre-SAC implementation data. Results: Out of 205 patients, 24 (11.6%) accounted for 34 ED visits within 90 days post-op, showing a significant reduction in ED visits from 24% to 11.6%, and decreased overall ED utilization from 42.1% to 16.6% (when accounting for multiple visits by the same patient). Early interventions including wound monitoring, outpatient bloodwork, and prescription adjustments for pain management, helped mitigate ED visits. Patient satisfaction surveys (n=62) indicated 92% were “highly satisfied” and 100% would recommend the SAC. Conclusions: The SAC reduced ED visits after posterior decompression surgery by over 50%, with pre-operative education, focused QI initiatives, and its individualized, proactive approach.