Aberystwyth

Researchers are evaluating the accuracy and usefulness of various dietary intake assessment tools in adults living freely in Great Britain. This observational study aims to see if combining subjective methods like food frequency questionnaires FFQ with objective tools such as wearable cameras, spot urine samples, and capillary blood samples improves dietary assessment accuracy outside clinical settings. The study also explores whether these technologies can provide a low-burden and scalable way to monitor diet quality and nutrient exposure in everyday life. Participants will use the study tools over a 5-week period. During weeks 1 and 5, they will record their usual diet for three days using wearable cameras, self-collected blood and urine samples, and an online FFQ. In week 3, they will consume a controlled 3-day test diet while continuing to use the same dietary assessment tools. Wearable cameras will capture images every 7 seconds during monitoring days, blood samples will be self-collected while fasting on specified days, and urine samples will be collected twice daily over four days each study week. The test diet will be delivered by online supermarkets, and participants can choose serving sizes but must not consume foods outside the test menu. Participants will complete questionnaires and usability surveys online and mail their biological samples and study equipment back to the research team. Researchers will monitor adherence and provide reminders during recording days. The main outcomes measured include dietary intake recorded by cameras, urine and blood biomarkers, and FFQ responses during all study weeks. The study lasts about five weeks with activities conducted remotely from participants homes or workplaces. The goal is to understand how these tools perform in real-life conditions to improve dietary assessment methods.

Researchers are studying patients with newly diagnosed stage I, II, and III colorectal cancer CRC to understand how circulating tumor DNA ctDNA in the blood can predict disease relapse. The study evaluates whether using ctDNA to guide adjuvant chemotherapy decisions after surgery is as effective as standard chemotherapy, aiming to reduce unnecessary treatments and side effects. This multi-center, prospective research includes both observational and randomized components to better manage early-stage CRC. The study has two parts Part B focuses on collecting tumor tissue, serial blood samples, and clinical data to detect minimal residual disease MRD using ctDNA after curative surgery. Part C is a randomized trial comparing ctDNA-guided adjuvant chemotherapy versus standard care in patients with high-risk stage II or III CRC. Patients are randomized post-surgery to either standard chemotherapy or a ctDNA-guided approach where those testing negative for ctDNA may receive less chemotherapy. Participants will undergo regular blood sampling and clinical assessments to monitor ctDNA levels and disease status. Researchers will measure outcomes such as 3-year disease-free survival and the relationship between ctDNA detection and treatment response over several years. The study includes follow-up periods of 4 to 8 years to evaluate long-term outcomes and safety. Participants need to consent, adhere to follow-up schedules, and be suitable for chemotherapy if randomized to Part C.