The human distal gut is home to a rich and dense microbial community with representatives of all three domains of life which are intricately connected with our physiology and health. The combined genomes of these microbes, collectively called the human microbiome, vastly expand the metabolic capacities of our own genome, allowing us to break down and extract energy from dietary compounds that human enzymes cannot digest. In addition, the variable composition of these communities and their biotransformations might explain inter‐individual differences in toxicities, tolerances and efficacies for certain drugs. Recent advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have provided exciting new insights into the genomes of our microbial symbionts, their functional capacities and the interactions between these microbes and their human host. This review summarizes the metabolic conversions of dietary components and pharmaceuticals that take place in the human distal gut, as well as their implications for human health.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on When Pharmacology Meets the Microbiome: New Targets for Therapeutics? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.24/issuetoc

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The Compatibility Quotient (CQ) was developed to assess the degree of similarity within an established or potential couple across domains likely to be important in determining long-term happiness. Validity was supported by correlations with Locke -Wallace Marital Adjustment scores and norms presented that enabled CQ scores to be arranged on a normal curve similar to that used for IQ (intelligence) ratings. Here we replicate the validity findings with an independent, larger and more representative sample of British couples (N = 204), compare item validities with ratings of perceived importance of the various issues, and consider the claims of five new items for inclusion within the CQ. A revised (Mark 2) CQ questionnaire consisting of 25 revised items is recommended for future use.

Children see the internet as ‘their’ medium: email is ‘their’ communications channel. As more and more children get their own email address, it becomes an attractive (and relatively economical) means for brands to keep in touch with them. But a lot of damage can be done by using the medium unwisely. This article sets out a system for ensuring content is developed in such a way that children are pleased to receive it.