At the turn of the twentieth century, few philosophical ideas in Marx’s work gained as much attention as his account of history. Orthodox Marxists made it their programme to closely follow Marx’s development thesis, which posits that the productive forces determine the course of history. The Austromarxist Max Adler (1873–1937), influenced by neo-Kantianism, took more liberties in interpreting – or, perhaps more accurately, ‘reinventing’ – the law of history in practical terms. This article reconstructs Adler’s neo-Kantian ‘reinvention’ of Marx’s account of history. According to Adler, the notion of ‘necessity’ that underpins critical judgements is not grounded in the regularity of history but rather in the moral judgements we make about how history should develop. More specifically, I defend two claims. First, by interpreting human progress as a possibility that presents itself as a necessity from the standpoint of practical rationality, I show that Adler laid the foundation for a critique of the Marxist development thesis that only later gained traction. Second, while Marxists may fear that Kantian formalism cannot address misguided ideological beliefs, I argue that Adler’s neo-Kantian formalism is robustly anti-ideological, emphasising the ideology-emancipating transformation we undergo when we recognise exploitative structures.

Functional dairy-derived ingredients, including whey protein (WP) and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), have the potential to improve markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and broader cardiometabolic disease risk(1,2). WP supplementation has been shown to regulate fasting lipid profiles(2). Similarly, growing evidence suggests that MFGM, or its bioactive milk polar lipids (MPLs), may contribute to lipid regulation(1). However, the potential synergistic effects of WP and MFGM on fasting blood lipid profiles remain unclear, particularly in ‘at risk’ populations. Hence, we assessed the impact of short-term WP-enriched MFGM supplementation on fasting circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (primary outcome) and several secondary outcomes [serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triacylglycerol (TAG), glucose, and BMI] in middle-to-older aged adults living with overweight and at moderate risk for CVD.

In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05939544), 17 participants (9 males; mean ± SD: age: 60 ± 7 y; BMI: 29.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2; TC: 6.06 ± 0.95 mmol/L) received 4-week daily WP-(49.6 g total protein) enriched MFGM (4.7 g MPL) supplement or an isocaloric, WP-based, protein-matched placebo, separated by a 4-week washout. Supplements were coded as A or B to maintain blinding. Fasting serum lipids and glucose were assessed pre- and post-intervention using spectrophotometric assays, with LDL-C estimated using the Friedewald equation.

Treatment effects were analysed using linear mixed models, adjusted for baseline, period, sequence, sex, age, and BMI, with data presented as estimated marginal means with 95% CIs for change-from-baseline.

There was no differential effect of treatment on the primary or secondary outcomes. However, relative to baseline, both treatments significantly reduced serum LDL-C (Treatment A: -0.28 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.42, -0.14; Treatment B: -0.32 mmol/L; 95% CI: - 0.46, -0.18; P-treatment = 0.9604). According to epidemiological data(3), these reductions correspond to an estimated 10.3% decrease in CVD risk for Treatment A, and 11.9% for Treatment B. Similarly, both treatments significantly reduced TC (Treatment A: -0.34 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.49, -0.19; Treatment B: -0.36 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.21; P-treatment = 0.9966) as well as the LDL-C:HDL-C ratio from baseline (Treatment A: -0.15; 95% CI: - 0.27, -0.02; Treatment B: -0.19 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.31, -0.06; P-treatment = 0.9408). The TC:HDL-C ratio decreased significantly after Treatment B (-0.23; 95% CI: -0.40, -0.07) but not after Treatment A (-0.15; 95% CI: -0.31, 0.02; P-treatment = 0.6963).

Preliminary data suggest that WP supplementation with and without MFGM content benefits the fasting cholesterol profile in middle-to-older aged adults at moderate CVD risk, primarily driven by reductions in circulating LDL-C. However, since small dense LDL particles may be more predictive of coronary heart disease risk than LDL-C(4), further analysis will determine whether these reductions are accompanied by favourable shifts in LDL particle size and subclass phenotype.

This article considers the history of Egypt’s mid-twentieth-century Spiritualist movement through an examination of its periodical, a monthly Arabic magazine called ʿAlam al-Ruh (The World of the Spirit) (1947–1960). As it shows, Egyptian Spiritualists defended and promoted their project by crafting an experimental cosmology, one that blended claims about empirical verification with elements of Islamic and Spiritualist cosmologies. It further shows how this combination of scientism and cosmology reflects a core dynamic within the history of scientific exploration in the Islamic world. Like spiritual seekers and occult practitioners in Muslim societies elsewhere, Egyptian Spiritualists positioned their project as one of eradicating superstition from religion, modernizing the nation, and advancing science. By attending to the Egyptian Spiritualist effort to scientize religion and spiritualize science, this article foregrounds the Islamic tradition’s entanglements with scientific discourses and navigates beyond claims about epistemological rupture that often characterize the study of Islam’s relationship to modern science.

Evidence-based nutrition policies designed to enhance the nutrition-related health of the population depend on accurate data collected through dietary assessments at both individual and community levels (1). There is a need for a comprehensive food composition database specific to the Turkish population, including cultural dishes, to accurately assess nutrient intake, formulate dietary guidelines, and support nutrition research. myfood24 is a rapid, user-friendly online dietary assessment tool utilised within research, teaching, and healthcare contexts (2). The myfood24 system has previously been adapted into various languages through modifications to food databases, functionality, and interface layout; however, no Turkish adaptation currently exists. This study aims to develop a Turkish- adapted version of myfood24, a fully automated and web-based dietary assessment tool using the 24-hour dietary recall method.

Food composition information was compiled from multiple sources (3-7), including existing food composition tables, relevant research articles, and nutrient labels obtained from packaged food products. The adaptation process for the Turkish version of myfood24 involved several clearly defined steps: identification of food items, data cleaning, translation, assigning portion sizes, and quality checks. Finally, the database was completed in Access software in line with the established myfood24 guidelines.

The resulting dataset contained a total of 2,701 food items along with 110 nutrient components. These food items were systematically organised into 38 main categories and further divided into 93 subcategories. Energy and macronutrient content for a standard serving size of selected traditional Turkish dishes were determined as follows: ‘Lentil soup’ contained 3.9 g protein, 1.7 g fat, 8.8 g carbohydrate, and 64 kcal energy; ‘Lahmacun’ provided 10 g protein, 10.3 g fat, 25.2 g carbohydrate, and 228 kcal; ‘Menemen’ included 10.3 g protein, 13.2 g fat, 1.5 g carbohydrate, and 165 kcal; ‘Shish kebab’ had 13.6 g protein, 1.1 g fat, 15.4 g carbohydrate, and 149 kcal; and ‘Baklava’ provided 6.7 g protein, 25.1 g fat, 54.1g carbohydrate, and 456 kcal energy.

In conclusion, the Turkish version of myfood24 represents the first comprehensive online dietary assessment tool specifically designed for Turkish-speaking populations, including culturally relevant dishes, facilitating nutritional epidemiology research and enabling cross- country dietary comparisons.

Reformulation of food products is part of the calorie reduction programme, proposed by the UK Government in the report ‘Childhood obesity: A Plan for Action’. The food industry was challenged to reduce calories in products by 20% in 2025. An evaluation of the food supply in 2021, one year after the guidelines were published showed very little progress(1). Our aim was to explore the extent of changes in energy and nutrient levels in specific food categories targeted by the calorie reduction programme using the myfood24 database.

We compared the myfood24 UK branded food composition database between 2021 and 2025. The data is from back of pack nutrient information. Differences in nutrients declared between these time points were explored as a potential indicator of reformulation. Five food groups matching the Calorie Reduction Programme food categories were explored for changes between 2021 and 2025. Also, foods from these groups with the same European Article Number (EAN) were matched. myfood24 food databases are regularly reviewed and updated taking account of recipe changes, new products and reformulation. During this time ~47,000 food items (37% of the database) had nutrient information updated. Nutrient composition of foods/100g were compared using t-tests and paired sample t-tests.

11,342 foods from 2021 and 26,908 from 2025 in the 5 food groups selected were identified. In 2025, these were 32% cakes and sweet bakery; 2% fried foods; 9% pies, pastries and quiches; 18% pizza, pasta and garlic bread; 40% prepared meals. Overall, in 2025 compared to 2021, mean nutrient content/100g food was 3.5kcal (95%CI 0.4, 6.4) lower. Food groups with lower energy content in 2025 v. 2021 were cakes and sweet bakery (-8kcal/100g); fried foods (-7kcal/100g); pizza/pasta/garlic bread (-11kcal/100g). Pies/pasties/quiches (5kcal/100g) and prepared meals (12kcal/100g) had higher energy values. 10,177 products with the same EANs in 2021 and 2025 were matched. There was very little change between 2021 and 2025. Energy content of pizza, pasta and garlic bread had reduced in 2025 by 0.6 (95%CI -1.1, -0.06) kcal/100g this was statistically significant but extremely small. Total sugars also saw a very small reduction in 2025, which was statistically significant in cakes and sweet bakery (g/100g difference 2025-2021: -0.1, 95%CI -0.2, -0.5. P <0.0001). Total fat g/100g had also reduced by a very small amount, which was statistically significant and driven by reductions in cakes and sweet bakery, fried foods, pies, pasties and quiches. Portion sizes declared had also not changed.

Very small changes in macronutrient levels in key food categories during the period 2021 to 2025 were seen. These changes are not sufficient to deliver the calorie reduction targets set in 2020. The UK government needs to explore other levers to make progress in this area.

The term ‘ultra-processed food’ (UPF), as characterised by the NOVA system, is now synonymous with poor quality industrially prepared foods. UPFs make up a substantial part of the UK diet, including in children, and concerns surround their convenience, ingredients (reliance on additives and non-household ingredients rather than whole foods), and food format (soft texture).(1,2) However, NOVA was not designed with commercial baby foods in mind, which are typically distinct in form and ingredients from many general products. No prior study has examined how NOVA aligns with overall baby food quality as evaluated using the WHO Nutrient & Promotion Profile Model (NPPM) baby foods standards.(3) This work therefore aimed to classify contemporary baby foods using NOVA and cross-examine UPF classification with baby food quality as evaluated with the NPPM.

Baby foods listed on websites of the 5 largest UK grocery retailers (Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi) in June-August 2024 were included. The NPPM was used to evaluate nutritional quality and marketing practices. NOVA was used to classify the degree of industrial processing. NPPM metrics were evaluated in UPF and non-UPF products to characterise gaps and overlaps in the two approaches.

632 baby foods were included, with 196 (31%) classed as UPFs. These were snacks (n112), dry cereals containing non-household ingredients (e.g. hydrolysed flour, inulin, maltodextrin, whey powder) (n46), meals (n17), and confectionery (n21). 85% (n112/132) of snacks were UPF, due to i) non-household ingredients (n29), ii) produced by industrial techniques with no household equivalent (i.e. melty/puff snacks, moulded fruit shapes, or fruit-filled cake bars) (n78), or iii) both reasons (n5).

While poor marketing practices were universal, NPPM nutritional assessments varied by category. Of 46 UPF cereals, many were flagged by the NPPM because of added sugars (n11), marketed from ‘4+ months’ (n7), misleading names (n7), or excess fruit content (n3). UPF puff snacks (n67) are not generally flagged as problematic by the NPPM but of these, 21% were flagged for excess serving size and 19% contained added sugars.

NOVA does not include nutritional criteria and so did not identify non-UPF products containing added sugar as problematic (n33, 5% of sample) or fruit-based products with high sugar levels (22% of sample). The NPPM identifies these as major issues, with 89% of fruit products being so high in total sugar (61% of calories from sugar on average) that the NPPM recommends a front-of pack high-sugar warning. Each system differently flags textural issues (smooth purees by the NPPM and ‘melty’ snacks by NOVA).

While NOVA may seem a convenient framework for product evaluation, the nutrition and marketing standards within the NPPM offer a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of issues beyond processing methods and provide a framework for reformulation and regulation.

In this paper we study one-sided hypothesis testing under random sampling without replacement, which frequently appears in the cryptographic problem setting, including the verification of measurement-based quantum computation. Suppose that $n+1$ binary random variables $X_1,\ldots, X_{n+1}$ follow a permutation invariant distribution and n binary random variables $X_1,\ldots, X_{n}$ are observed. Then, we propose randomized tests with a randomization parameter for the expectation of the $(n+1)$th random variable $X_{n+1}$ under a given significance level $\delta>0$. Our randomized tests significantly improve the upper confidence limit over deterministic tests. Our problem setting commonly appears in machine learning in addition to cryptographic scenarios by considering adversarial examples. Such studies are essential for expanding the applicable area of statistics. Although this paper addresses only binary random variables, a similar significant improvement by randomized tests can be expected for general non-binary random variables.

Which stories of conflict we hear, and who gets to narrate future visions for peace matters. Nearly a decade ago, I published an article in International Affairs (Hagen 2016) highlighting the need to challenge cisgender and heteronormative assumptions embedded within the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Since then, I have had the opportunity to speak widely about what motivated me to write on the topic: a lack of attention to lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women in what at that time was 15 years of work on WPS. As a queer feminist lesbian I am emotionally and intellectually invested in transnational women’s rights organizing. I was perplexed by the near absence of sexuality as an intersectional dimension of gender justice, despite the prominent role lesbians have always played in the movement globally. This weakness within the women’s peace movement’s coalitional organizing is now under significant strain amid growing anti-trans attacks with governments turning to securitizing responses to moral panic over trans rights (Leigh 2025, Currah 2022). Still, queer and trans organizers like Amani in Tunisia persist in working for their own visions of a peaceful future, taking advantage of opportunities for allyship where possible.

Previous studies suggest a link between protein intake and diabetes,(1,2) but little is known about whether protein intake timing across the day (i.e. temporal protein patterns) is associated with diabetes. This study aimed to examine temporal protein patterns in American adults and their associations with diabetes, BMI and glycemic measures.

Total protein intake at eating occasions was estimated from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020 dietary recall data (≥20 y; n=7625). Latent variable mixture models were used to identify temporal patterns based on hourly protein intake (g). Adults with fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L, poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥6.5%), taking diabetic medications, or previous diabetes diagnosis were classified as having diabetes. Insulin ≥72 pmol/L and HOMA-IR ≥2.5 were used to determine hyperinsulinemia and insulin-resistance, respectively. Regression models were used to examine associations for temporal protein patterns with diabetes prevalence, BMI and glycemic measures (fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance), adjusted for multiple confounders.

Three latent classes for men’s and women’s temporal protein patterns were identified. Class 1 had higher conditional probabilities of eating protein at 18:00h, while Class 2 tended to eat protein an hour later than Class 1 and had higher overall protein intake (p<0.001). Class 3 was characterised by variable protein intake timing and had lower overall protein intake than the other classes (p<0.001). Men’s Class 1 had lower probabilities for hyperinsulinemia (32.5%) and poor glycemic control (5.9%), but associations were attenuated after adjusting for BMI. There were no associations for temporal protein patterns with diabetes, BMI and other glycemic measures.

Temporal protein patterns were not associated with diabetes. The inverse association with several glycemic measures observed for men in Class 1 may be mediated by BMI. Future prospective studies may better examine the effects of temporal protein patterns on diabetes by considering different protein food sources.

We prove that for every locally stable and tempered pair potential $\phi$ with bounded range, there exists a unique infinite-volume Gibbs point process on $\mathbb{R}^{d}$ for every activity $\lambda < ({e}^{L} \hat{C}_{\phi})^{-1}$, where L is the local stability constant and $\hat{C}_{\phi} \,:\!=\, \sup_{x \in \mathbb{R}^{d}} \int_{\mathbb{R}^{d}} 1 - {e}^{-\left\lvert \phi(x, y) \right\rvert} \mathrm{d} y$ is the (weak) temperedness constant. Our result extends the uniqueness regime that is given by the classical Ruelle–Penrose bound by a factor of at least ${e}$, where the improvements become larger as the negative parts of the potential become more prominent (i.e. for attractive interactions at low temperature). Our technique is based on the approach of Dyer et al. (2004 Random Structures & Algorithms 24, 461–479): We show that for any bounded region and any boundary condition, we can construct a Markov process (in our case spatial birth–death dynamics) that converges rapidly to the finite-volume Gibbs point process while the effects of the boundary condition propagate sufficiently slowly. As a result, we obtain a spatial mixing property that implies uniqueness of the infinite-volume Gibbs measure.

The gut microbiome plays an important role in human health, with evidence suggesting that plant-based extracts (PBEs) serve as prebiotics to modulate composition and function of microbiota (1). This study aimed to investigate the effects of three commercially available water-based extracts—pomegranate (Pomanox®) and lemon (Wellemon®), rich in polyphenolic compounds, and artichoke (Cynamed®), a source of inulin known to enhance the growth and functionality of beneficial microbes(2). Limited research exists on longer term specific effects of whole food extracts on gut microbiota.

Commercial PBEs were digested using the INFOGEST in vitro batch digestion protocol, to simulate digestion from mouth to small intestine(3). Digested products were used to supplement a previously validated human gut model (MiGut) that simulates different regions of the human colon(4). Use of INFOGEST coupled with 8 MiGut models, that included two replicates for each PBE and two negative control models (no supplementation), allowed for us to assess the effect of PBEs against one human donor, for comparative analysis with reliability. Post two-week equilibrium period, models were dosed daily with manufacturer recommended amount of in vitro digested PBE for two weeks, before two-week recovery phase. Samples were collected thrice weekly.

Quantitative PCR revealed that all three prebiotic treatments induced significant selective alterations in proximal and distal colon, when compared to the end of steady state (before treatment), Wellemon and Cynamed improved growth of beneficial bacteria – Bifidobacterium spp. in both regions (5.28 and 5.26 in proximal and 2.9 and 4.1 log2FC indistal colon respectively, p < 0.05), only Pomanox stimulated growth of Enterobacteriaceaeacross both regions (proximal 2.8 and distal 5.7 log2FC) whilst onlyWellemon induced a significant increase in Prevotella spp. in proximal colon (5.7 log2FC, p < 0.05). Further changes were displayed through a significant decrease in C. leptum in distal colon after treatment with Pomanox and Cynamed (-3.3 and -2.4 log2FCrespectively). Total Eubacteriacounts were increased in proximal region after supplementation with all three PBEs (1.8-3.7 log2FC). No significant changes occured post steady state in negative control, highlighting reliability of MiGut platform. 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed PBE-dependant alterations. Although diversity was unaffected, each PBE-supplement formed a new and unique bacterial community, forming seperate clusters, with alterations at a species level. We plan to complete full SCFA data analysis.

Our study combined the functionality of new models simulating digestion and microbial fermentation to assess PBEs inclusion within the diet to modulate the microbiota. Our observations showcase the functional effect of PBEs to modulate microbiome composition and provide gut health benefits. Increased use of PBEs may also hold implications for environmental sustainability due to use of whole foods, high in waste products, and formulate new supplements that provide select benefits of diets such as MedDiet.

There is a need to design low-cost population based dietary interventions that improve diet quality to reduce population risks for poor health outcomes linked to diet. Currently, much attention and research funding are focused on ‘ultra-processed foods’; an alternative approach to improving diet quality is use of positively framed, ‘eat more’ health messages in relation to minimally refined, or ‘intact’ plant foods. Since intake of plant foods is associated with stool weight (1), there is potential for monitoring of faecal output to act as a proxy for diet quality. Despite exponential interest in gut microbiome research, bowel function in healthy individuals is perhaps the least understood and least studied of all human bodily functions. One likely reason for this is that the subject of bowel movements is still a social taboo; bodily secretions, including faeces, are a widely reported elicitor of disgust (2). This disgust appears to be profound, extending even to aversion to take part in bowel cancer screening (3). It is important to better understand attitudes toward bowel movements so that that the potential for operationalisation of this bodily function may be explored. This study aims to investigate 1) beliefs about the link between faeces and health and 2) attitudes towards and acceptability of using a stool chart as feedback on diet quality.

Seven focus groups (n=32) were held at Leeds Beckett University between February and March 2024. Participants were recruited via community posters, email lists and social media. Inclusion criteria were: aged 18-60 and in good general health (e.g. no bowel disease, or constipation). Sessions lasted 60 minutes and were facilitated by a trained moderator following a semi-structured interview guide. A second researcher recorded notes on group dynamics and non-verbal communication. All sessions were video recorded with participant permission. Data saturation was considered achieved when no new themes emerged from the analysis. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim by an experienced qualitative researcher. Data were analysed using thematic analysis (4).

Participants predominantly associated stool monitoring with bowel cancer detection rather than general health assessment. Some participants recalled their mothers observing their stool characteristics and relating these observations to their diets—a practice they perceived as less common in contemporary society. When discussing stool appearance, participants primarily referenced colour variations while generally overlooking considerations of form or size as potential health markers.

Participants demonstrated broad acceptance of using stool charts as tools for monitoring dietary health. These results suggest that there is scope for operationalising bowel movement monitoring as a personalised marker of good nutritional health.

This article analyzes the political ecology of modern Iran as envisioned in the report of Arthur Hills Gleadowe-Newcomen’s 1904–-05 Commercial Mission to South-Eastern Persia and a covert Persian counter-narrative penned by its military attaché, Mirza Riza Muhandis. The commercial ambitions of the British Empire in Qajar Iran involved a transformation of Iran’s environment. The critiques of these programs outlined in the travelogue of Mirza Riza Muhandis concern whom these interventions by science and engineering should serve. This case study highlights tensions over development and inequality at a critical moment in Iran’s history, just months before the beginnings of the 1906 Constitutional Revolution.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was seemingly everywhere by the end of 2024, and the 2024 US presidential election was the first American national election to be conducted wholly in an AI era. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about how effectively generative AI contributes to learning about politics. This study explores that question in the context of research on subnational US politics. Based on a novel methodology that combines the analysis of AI-generated profiles on several US states with interviews with state-level experts, this article identifies and analyses a prevalent national bias in the state-level content produced by generative AI. This bias is both a consequence of and a contributor to the problem of the nationalization of American politics, which itself undermines the principles of federalism that undergird Madisonian democracy in the United States.

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, playing a key role in growth, development, and metabolism(1). Deficiency during pregnancy can lead to impaired cognitive development in offspring(2). Recent UK studies have identified iodine deficiency among schoolgirls, women of reproductive age, and pregnant women(3). With no national iodine prophylaxis program in place, public awareness and knowledge are crucial for ensuring adequate intake and preventing deficiency-related health risks. Previous research suggests that iodine knowledge is positively associated with iodine intake, highlighting the importance of improving public understanding to support sufficient consumption(4).

Therefore, this study aimed to assess iodine knowledge and awareness among UK adults.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using Qualtrics as part of a larger ongoing study involving UK adults (≥18 years). The questionnaire collected demographic data and assessed knowledge and awareness of iodine, calcium, iron, and folic acid, including their roles and dietary sources. Responses were analysed as a secondary dataset.

To date, 110 participants have completed the survey, with 74% identifying as female and 69% aged 18–44 years. Over half (52%) had studied nutrition, and 14% followed a vegetarian or vegan diet. Participants showed strong interest in nutrition, scoring an average of 6.3 out of 7 on a Likert scale. Overall, 84% were aware of iodine, compared to 98% for calcium, 96% for iron, and 88% for folic acid. However, confidence in obtaining sufficient iodine was lower (mean score: 3.6/7) than for calcium (5.1/7), iron (5.0/7), and folic acid (3.9/7). Regarding iodine knowledge, 83% of participants identified at least one role of iodine, and 82% named at least one dietary source. For comparison, recognition was higher for iron (96% role, 94% source) and calcium (98% role, 98% source), while folic acid had lower recognition for sources (80% role, 66% source). Participants correctly identified a mean of two iodine roles and two dietary sources, similar to iron (2/4 roles, 2/4 sources) and folic acid (2/3 roles, 1/3 sources), but lower than calcium (2/2 roles, 2/4 sources).

Most participants were aware of iodine and could name at least one key function and source. However, confidence in achieving adequate intake was low, suggesting gaps in dietary guidance and public health messaging. Given that over half had studied nutrition, their knowledge may not reflect that of the general population. To address this, targeted public health initiatives and clearer dietary recommendations are needed to improve iodine awareness and reduce the risk of deficiency-related health issues in the UK.

The increasing demand for sustainable and nutritious protein sources has elevated interest in plant-based alternatives like pea protein (Pisum sativum), which offers good bioavailability, low allergenicity, high nutritional value, and affordable production costs(1).

While plant proteins contain microbiota-relevant substrates such as lysine and tryptophan, limited research exists on their specific effects on gut microbiota compared to animal- derived proteins(2).

We utilized the MiGut platform, a miniaturized triple-stage in vitro model simulating proximal, medial, and distal regions of the human colon(3). MiGut’s scalability enabled direct comparison of pea versus whey protein supplementation on microbiota from three human donors under identical conditions. Our design included six models to evaluate both protein types with each donor’s microbiota. Following two-week equilibration, models were dosed daily with pre-digested protein for two weeks (pre-digestion following the INFOGEST protocol), followed by a two-week recovery period. Samples were collected after each phase. Significance between groups was assessed using a paired t-test.

Quantitative PCR analysis revealed key differences between protein interventions. In proximal colon, pea protein maintained Bifidobacterium levels (+0.31 log10copies/μL) while whey caused notable decreases (-2.36 log). Both reduced Bacteroides, though less with pea (-0.88 vs -2.16 log). Whey more reduced potential pathobionts, decreasing Enterobacteriaceae (-2.9 vs -0.42 log, p<0.05). Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and C. leptum remained stable with both supplements. Distal colon showed similar but less pronounced trends. 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed higher diversity in distal colon (Shannon index: 2.58±0.21) versus proximal (1.82±0.6), consistent with in vivo patterns. Pea protein caused greater shifts in microbial ecology than whey (Bray-Curtis 0.71 vs 0.45, p<0.05). SCFA analysis showed pea protein significantly increased butyrate and propionate (+590 and +727 μM, p<0.05) with minimal acetate changes, while whey produced no significant SCFA alterations. This data gives an initial overview of the impact of pea and whey protein, and we plan to perform further analysis such as amino acid quantification and tryptophan metabolite profiling.

This study demonstrates both the utility of the MiGut platform for nutrition research and the potential benefits of pea protein for gut health. The bacterial changes in the proximal colon and favourable SCFA profile changes suggest plant protein may offer advantages beyond sustainability benefits. The MiGut technology enabled this direct comparison through simultaneous experiments with multiple biological replicates, providing greater statistical power than previously possible with gut model systems. As plant-based proteins become increasingly prevalent in diets, characterising their specific effects on gut health will be crucial for developing evidence-based dietary recommendations that consider both environmental sustainability and human health outcomes.

Ethical approval was granted by the University of Leeds Ethics Committee (reference 0624).

Sleep disturbances are common in dementia and are associated with numerous problems. Medication is not clearly effective and is potentially problematic, giving a clear role for non-pharmacological measures. The Cochrane Review discussed here suggested that physical and social activities and carer interventions potentially improve sleep in dementia, although the evidence was not conclusive. The review was limited by the heterogeneity present and the low quality of evidence. The authors’ choice of primary outcomes leads to a wider discussion on the clinical relevance of available outcomes in evaluating sleep in dementia and the potential role for patients and carers in informing this.

Whole dietary interventions may reduce symptoms of depression/anxiety (1), but adherence is difficult. Single-food interventions, like almonds, may enable improved adherence and contain micronutrients associated with cognitive benefits and have a prebiotic effect on the gut microbiome (2). This randomised controlled trial assessed the effects of whole almonds on mental and gut health in adults with mild to moderate depression/anxiety.

Adults 18-45 years with Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression (PHQ- ADS) (3) scores of 10-29 were randomised to 56g/day whole almonds (intervention) or two iso-caloric muffins/day (control) for 12 weeks. Symptoms of depression/anxiety (primary outcome) were assessed via the PHQ-ADS. Mental health and gastrointestinal symptoms were measured using validated questionnaires. Faecal samples were analysed for short- chain fatty acids via gas-chromatography, study measures were collected at week 0 (Baseline) and week 12 (Endpoint).

Eighty-four participants were randomised (mean age 25 years, BMI 23 kg/m2, 76% female, 46% white ethnicity). Among those who completed mental health and gastrointestinal symptom assessments (n = 81), almond consumption did not significantly affect depression and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.42), mental wellbeing (p = 0.98), or stool frequency (p = 0.32). However, functional impairment was significantly improved in the almond group compared to control (p = 0.05), and participants reported significantly fewer hard stools (p < 0.001). P-values for mental health measures were calculated using linear mixed models. P-values for stool-related outcomes were calculated using a linear regression with baseline values as a covariate.

Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were analysed in a subset of participants who provided faecal samples (n = 64; 31 in the almond group and 33 in the control group). There were no significant between-group differences in faecal SCFA concentrations, including total SCFAs (p = 0.51), acetic (p = 0.60), propionic (p = 0.47), butyric (p = 0.60), iso-butyric (p = 0.84), iso-valeric (p = 0.84), or valeric acid (p = 0.80). p-values were calculated using ANCOVA with baseline values as a covariate.

While almonds did not significantly reduce symptoms of depression/anxiety or the majority of mental health outcomes, they improved functional impairment and reduced reports of hard stools, suggesting potential benefits for mental and gut health. Microbiome analyses are ongoing to investigate potential markers related to the gut-brain axis. Future trials should assess whether singular food interventions have efficacy in severely depressed/anxious populations.