Engaging Young Fathers in Research through Photo-Interviewing

Although conducting interviews is the most popular research strategy in qualitative research, we question whether it is the best strategy to use with young fathers and other populations who may be less willing to share personal experiences and thoughts with an unknown researcher. The reluctance of young fathers to engage in research leads to the omission of important perspectives and inadvertently results in young fathers\u27 being understudied and unwittingly excluded from support programming and services. In this paper, we describe our experiences of using two different research strategies with young fathers: conventional in-depth interviews (i.e., interviews that rely on words only) and photo-interviewing (i.e., using photographs as props during an interview). We found that photo-interviewing contributed to young fathers\u27 comfort during the research process, provided them a sense of agency, and possibly enriched the quality of the data. While we do not argue that one data collection strategy is necessarily better than the other, we would like to caution researchers against using conventional interviews as a default data collection strategy with marginalized, vulnerable, or less verbal populations for whom interviewing may not be the most suitable data collection strategy and to encourage researchers to explore alternative options

Health survey among people living near an abandoned mine. A case study: Jales mine, Portugal

Campo de Jales is a village surrounding the abandoned Jales mine. The area is heavily contaminated with heavy metals and dusts from large tailings piles as result of centuries of mining operations. The aim of this study is to investigate potential health threats associated with site contamination. The population studied comprised two groups: people living in Campo de Jales (n = 229) and a control group – people living in Vilar de Macada (n = 234). Lead and cadmium exposure and symptoms survey were carried out. The results showed a significant higher levels of blood lead and cadmium between the Campo de Jales residents (lead: 9.5 microgr/dl versus 7.7 microgr/dl; cadmium: 0.84 microgr/dl versus 0,65 microgr/dl) as well as to a higher prevalence of respiratory and irritation symptoms and great concern about his own health. In conclusion: community is the scene of long-term health problems resulting from the site environmental contamination

Exploring Youths’ Experiences of Attending a Rural Outreach School in Alberta

Outreach schools have existed for decades as an alternative for students who have struggled in mainstream education. Students at outreach schools have been cast as “failures” or “dropouts” due to their lack of success in mainstream schooling. Drawing on critical theoretical traditions in qualitative research, this article challenges these hegemonic discourses. This study uses semi-structured interviews with 25 young people (aged 14–19 years) who attended an outreach school in a rural community in Alberta. We identify three themes of participants’ experiences attending the outreach school: (1) discovering the outreach school, (2) changing views about education, and (3) planning for the future. The article concludes with a critical discussion of the discourses of choice and success regarding attendance at outreach schools. We draw attention to social structural forces that impact students at outreach schools in rural communities and constrain their education opportunities

Identifying and Responding to the Challenges of Sustaining a Tuition Support Program in a Rural Setting

Rural Canadian towns with resource-dependent economies face several challenges that adversely affect economic stability (e.g., boom and bust cycles, low educational attainment rates). Responding to these challenges, the Town of Drayton Valley (DV) introduced a tuition assistance program, Zero Fee Tuition (ZFT), which provides up to 5,000 in grants to residents enrolled in select post-secondary education and training programs. In this community-based participatory research study, we conducted 11 interviews with stakeholders including Town of Drayton Valley staff, elected officials, and other people involved in planning and administering ZFT. We also observed five group stakeholder consultations and reviewed relevant Town documents. Qualitative data were used to identify challenges facing Drayton Valley and responses the Town took to sustain ZFT. Challenges threatening the sustainability of ZFT include the (a) lack of a culture of education, (b) need to demonstrate outcomes, (c) difficulty of attracting post-secondary institutions, and (d) lack of resources. Mitigating these challenges, the Town has (a) established an Education Committee, (b) developed partnerships with our research team and other post-secondary institutions, and (c) supported residents who champion ZFT. This study contributes to a limited body of research on tuition assistance programs in Canada. Findings may have implications for other rural communities interested in using tuition assistance programs as a tool for promoting economic diversification and rural development. Keywords: tuition assistance, rural development, Canada, community-based participatory research, post-secondary education ______________________________________________________________________________  Identifier et répondre aux défis du maintien d’un programme de soutien aux frais de scolarité en milieu ruralRésuméLes villes rurales canadiennes dont l'économie dépend des ressources sont confrontées à plusieurs défis qui nuisent à la stabilité économique (p. ex. cycles d'expansion et de récession, faibles taux de scolarité). En réponse à ces défis, la ville de Drayton Valley (DV) a lancé un programme d'aide aux frais de scolarité, Zero Fee Tuition (ZFT), qui offre jusqu'à 5 000 en subventions aux résidents inscrits dans certains programmes d'éducation et de formation postsecondaires. Dans cette étude de recherche participative communautaire, nous avons mené 11 entretiens avec des parties prenantes, notamment le personnel de la ville de Drayton Valley, des élus et d'autres personnes impliquées dans la planification et l'administration du ZFT. Nous avons également observé cinq consultations de groupe avec des parties prenantes et examiné les documents pertinents de la ville. Des données qualitatives ont été utilisées pour identifier les défis auxquels Drayton Valley est confrontée et les réponses prises par la ville pour soutenir le ZFT. Les défis qui menacent la durabilité du ZFT comprennent (a) le manque de culture éducative, (b) la nécessité de démontrer les résultats, (c) la difficulté d'attirer les établissements postsecondaires et (d) le manque de ressources. Pour atténuer ces défis, la ville a (a) établi un comité d'éducation, (b) développé des partenariats avec notre équipe de recherche et d'autres établissements postsecondaires, et (c) soutenu les résidents qui défendent le ZFT. Cette étude contribue à un corpus limité de recherches sur les programmes d’aide aux frais de scolarité au Canada. Les résultats pourraient avoir des implications pour d'autres communautés rurales intéressées à utiliser les programmes d'aide aux frais de scolarité comme outil de promotion de la diversification économique et du développement rural. Mots-clés : aide aux frais de scolarité, développement rural, Canada, recherche participative communautaire, éducation postsecondair

What it means to be an ally in Indigenous healthcare

Background: Strengths-based and culturally sensitive approaches to Indigenous healthcare are much needed within the Canadian healthcare system. This is where allyship comes in. Allyship is loosely defined as the actions of an individual who strives to advance the interests of marginalized groups in which they are not a member. This study investigated the concept of allyship with healthcare providers who were community-identified allies providing care for Indigenous patients. Methods: Qualitative description methodology was utilized, and data was generated through semi-structured interviews with allies in and around the Edmonton area, in Canada. The interviews were conducted online, transcribed verbatim and then coded using thematic analysis. Results: Interviews were conducted with 13 allies (eight physicians, four allied health professionals and one nurse). The results were captured into three main themes. The meaning of allyship demonstrated how allyship must be determined by the community, and encapsulates authentic action and advocacy, as well as working to create positive healthcare experiences. The experience of being an ally included commitment to the allyship journey, embracing emotions, and facing and disrupting systemic barriers. Finally, cultivating allyship in healthcare necessitated building and maintaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous people, and ongoing training and education. Conclusion: The study results enabled a better understanding of how allies interact with their Indigenous patients within the confines of the healthcare system and could inform learning opportunities for those who seek to practice in a culturally humble way. In particular, transcending passive education and training modalities to include opportunities for real life interactions and the development of reciprocal relationships with Indigenous patients

Prevalence and experiences of food insecurity among immigrant women connected to perinatal programs at a community-based organization in Edmonton, Canada

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prevalence of household food insecurity among immigrant women connected to perinatal programs offered through a community-based organization in Edmonton, and to explore their experiences in coping with food insecurity. Design/methodology/approach: This study utilized a mixed methods research design. A community-based participatory research approach was used to engage health workers who were connected to immigrant women and families through the Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative in Edmonton. Through the health workers a sample of 213 immigrant women connected to their perinatal programs completed the Household Food Security Survey. Following the survey, 17 women completed semi-structured interviews which were analyzed using content analysis. Findings: The vast majority of women (94 percent (n=199)) lived in food insecure households, and 53 percent (n=112) in severely food insecure. In semi-structured interviews, women specifically described not having enough money to buy vegetables, fruit and meat, and perceiving a lack of control over foods they ate and offered to their families. Practical implications: This study highlights the need for support to be provided to immigrant families for acquiring healthy food in Canada. Originality/value: The mixed methods design with a decent sample of often underrepresented research participants highlights an area in need of further research and greater support

Osteoarthritis:Mechanistic Insights, Senescence, and Novel Therapeutic Opportunities

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease. In the last years, the research community has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that led to the pathogenesis of the disease, trying to identify different molecular and clinical phenotypes along with the discovery of new therapeutic opportunities. Different types of cell-to-cell communication mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to OA progression, including mechanisms mediated by connexin43 (Cx43) channels or by small extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, changes in the chondrocyte phenotype such as cellular senescence have been proposed as new contributors of the OA progression, changing the paradigm of the disease. The use of different drugs able to restore chondrocyte phenotype, to reduce cellular senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype components, and to modulate ion channel activity or Cx43 appears to be promising therapeutic strategies for the different types of OA. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge in OA phenotypes related with aging and tissue damage and the new therapeutic opportunities currently available

Insights into the role of connexins and specialized intercellular communication pathways in breast cancer: Mechanisms and applications

Gap junctions, membrane-based channels comprised of connexin proteins (Cxs), facilitate direct communication among neighbouring cells and between cells and the extracellular space through their hemichannels. The normal human breast expresses various Cxs family proteins, such as Cx43, Cx30, Cx32, Cx46, and Cx26, crucial for proper tissue development and function. These proteins play a significant role in breast cancer development, progression, and therapy response. In primary tumours, there is often a reduction and cytoplasmic mislocalization of Cx43 and Cx26, while metastatic lesions show an upregulation of these and other Cxs. Although existing research predominantly supports the tumour-suppressing role of Cxs in primary carcinomas through channel-dependent and independent functions, controversies persist regarding their involvement in the metastatic process. This review aims to provide an updated perspective on Cxs in human breast cancer, with a specific focus on intrinsic subtypes due to the heterogeneous nature of this disease. Additionally, the manuscript will explore the role of Cxs in immune interactions and novel forms of intercellular communication, such as tunneling nanotubes and extracellular vesicles, within the breast tumour context and tumour microenvironment. Recent findings suggest that Cxs hold potential as therapeutic targets for mitigating metastasis and drug resistance. Furthermore, they may serve as novel biomarkers for cancer prognosis, offering promising avenues for future research and clinical applicationsAgencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PDI2022-137027OB-100Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte | Ref. FPU15/04237Xunta de Galicia | Ref. IN606B-2023/01

Articular Chondrocyte Network Mediated by Gap Junctions: Role in Metabolic Cartilage Homeostasis

Objective This study investigated whether chondrocytes within the cartilage matrix have the capacity to communicate through intercellular connections mediated by voltage-gated gap junction (GJ) channels. Methods Frozen cartilage samples were used for immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays. Samples were embedded in cacodylate buffer before dehydration for scanning electron microscopy. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments and mass spectrometry (MS) were performed to identify proteins that interact with the C-terminal end of Cx43. GJ communication was studied through in situ electroporation, electrophysiology and dye injection experiments. A transwell layered culture system and MS were used to identify and quantify transferred amino acids. Results Microscopic images revealed the presence of multiple cellular projections connecting chondrocytes within the matrix. These projections were between 5 and 150 μm in length. MS data analysis indicated that the C-terminus of Cx43 interacts with several cytoskeletal proteins implicated in Cx trafficking and GJ assembly, including α-tubulin and β-tubulin, actin, and vinculin. Electrophysiology experiments demonstrated that 12-mer oligonucleotides could be transferred between chondrocytes within 12 min after injection. Glucose was homogeneously distributed within 22 and 35 min. No transfer was detected when glucose was electroporated into A549 cells, which have no GJs. Transwell layered culture systems coupled with MS analysis revealed connexins can mediate the transfer of L-lysine and L-arginine between chondrocytes. Conclusions This study reveals that intercellular connections between chondrocytes contain GJs that play a key role in cell-cell communication and a metabolic function by exchange of nutrients including glucose and essential amino acids. A three-dimensional cellular network mediated through GJs might mediate metabolic and physiological homeostasis to maintain cartilage tissue