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Health inequalities persist despite extensive public health research and interventions. Qualitative approaches are increasingly recognized for their ability to capture the nuanced, lived experiences of marginalized populations—an essential perspective in a world marked by complexity and uncertainty. This paper draws on two case studies to examine the role of qualitative methods in public health research, emphasizing the importance of amplifying marginalized voices and fostering intergenerational dialogue. Case Study 1 explores the use of visual methods to elevate the voices of people with dementia, a group often overlooked in traditional health research. Through video storytelling, participants shared their lived experiences, offering deeper insights into the challenges they face and the broader social implications of dementia. This case demonstrates the power of visual storytelling to capture the emotional and social dimensions of health inequalities while providing practical lessons for engaging vulnerable populations in research. Case Study 2 examines an intergenerational co-creation workshop series that used collaborative arts engagement to stimulate climate change dialogue amongst older adults (aged 60 years+) and children (aged 9 to 12). The project highlights the significance of creating spaces for cross-generational conversations and co-creative exploration, illustrating how such engagements can bridge knowledge gaps, address structural inequities such as ageism, and contribute to addressing climate-related health disparities. Together, the two case studies illuminate the potential of qualitative methods to advance health equity by supporting inclusive, relational, and justice-driven approaches to public health research. They underscore the value of participatory engagement in generating useful insights and fostering social change.

Hypercholesterolemia is becoming a problem with increasing significance. Dietary vegetable oils may help to improve this condition due to presence of phytonutrients with potentially synergistic cholesterol-lowering effects. The objective of this 8-week double-blinded randomized clinical trial was to investigate the effects of consuming 30 g of two different blended cooking oils, rich in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid and phytonutrients, or refined olive oil on the intestinal microbiota in 126 volunteers with borderline hypercholesterolemia. Multi-factor analysis of relationships between the gut microbiota composition at various taxonomic ranks and the clinical trial parameters revealed the association between beneficial effects of the dietary intervention on the blood lipid profile with abundance of Clostridia class of the gut microbiota. This microbiota feature was upregulated in the course of the dietary intervention and associated with various plasma markers of metabolic health status, such as Triglycerides, Apolipoprotein B and Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio in a beneficial way. The relative abundance of a single species—Clostridium leptum—highly increased during the dietary intervention in all the three study groups. The oil blend with the highest concentration of omega-3 PUFA is associated with faster and more robust responses of the intestinal microbiota, including elevation of alpha-diversity. Butyrate production is being discussed as a plausible process mediating the observed beneficial influence on the plasma lipid profile. Causal mediation analysis suggested that Clostridium genus rather than the higher rank of the phylogeny—Clostridia class—may be involved in the diet-induced improvements of the blood lipid profile.

Older adults living in hospitals and long-term care (LTC) settings often lack opportunities for meaningful social engagement and interaction with the outside world, particularly due to mobility disabilities and frailty. Immersive virtual reality (VR) technologies have shown potential to overcome these barriers by virtually connecting individuals with nature, familiar environments, and cultural experiences, thereby promoting well-being and social engagement. However, existing research primarily utilizes head-mounted displays (HMDs) and involves healthy community-dwelling participants, limiting relevance for people living with dementia in care settings such as hospitals and LTC. This qualitative study protocol outlines the use of a non-HMD immersive technology tailored for people living with dementia in hospital and LTC settings. Employing wall projections and motion sensors, the intervention is specifically designed for accessibility among people living with dementia in hospitals and LTC environments. Guided by the Collaborative Action Research (CAR) approach, the study comprises three phases: Plan, Implement, and Evaluate. Focus groups, interviews, and ethnographic observations will be conducted to collect data. Thematic analysis will identify key themes related to feasibility, acceptability, and user experiences. Findings will inform the equitable design and implementation of future immersive technologies in dementia care settings.

The need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in gerontology education is underscored by the potential benefits it offers in addressing loneliness and supporting social connection among older adults in long-term care (LTC) homes. While the workforce in LTC is often overburdened, AI-enabled service robots present possible solutions to enhance residents’ quality of life. However, the incorporation of AI and service robots in current gerontology curricula is lacking, and the views of students on this subject remain largely unexamined. This study aims to fill this gap by capturing the perspectives of university students regarding the deployment of an AI robot, Aether, in LTC environments. In this qualitative study, we conducted focus groups with 22 university students. Our thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) Aether’s anticipated usage in geriatric care: companionship support and complementing the work of staff; (2) Challenges in using Aether: technical and emotional challenges; and (3) Solutions and future possibilities: expanding functionalities and integrating personalization features. Students expressed a positive outlook on the role of AI-enabled robots while also highlighting the necessity of addressing ethical and practical considerations. To effectively integrate AI technology in gerontology education, it is essential to understand and incorporate student perspectives, attitudes, and opinions.

This study presents our reflections as student researchers working within a transdisciplinary, intergenerational team that implemented Aether, an AI-enabled care robot, in a long-term care (LTC) facility for older adults. We examine our roles and contributions to the project’s transdisciplinary and intergenerational research process. Transdisciplinary and intergenerational collaboration have been proven beneficial for implementing AI-driven technologies in LTC. Few studies have explored students’ roles in transdisciplinary or intergenerational collaboration and their opportunities for mutual learning experiences and ethically grounded innovations. This critical reflection paper is part of a larger study examining the deployment of Aether. Our research design focuses on capturing our experiences as a team of student researchers through reflective inquiry, emphasizing our role in the implementation and deployment process. Reflections were gathered through individual and group sessions using Rolfe’s (2001) Critical Reflection Framework. Reflexive thematic analysis, combining inductive and deductive coding, was used to identify key themes from our experiences. Three reflexive themes emerged: (1) The transformative role of transdisciplinary collaboration in addressing real-world challenges; (2) The importance of intergenerational collaboration with industry; and (3) The value of field-based experience in bridging theory and practice. This study proposes a framework of practical tips, “SHINE,” to support future technology implementations in LTC through intergenerational and transdisciplinary collaboration. This framework highlights the value of student engagement in hands-on, collaborative research settings and encourages future research to focus on the critical role of student engagement in complex care environments.

Inorganic-organic hybrid WOx-ethylenediamine （WO/-EDA） nanowires have been produced by a simple, low-cost and high-yield solvothermal method. These WO/-EDA hybrid nanowires have unique lamellar mesostructures with an alternate stacking of an interconnected [WO6] octahedral layer and a monolayer of ethylenediamine molecules. This hybrid structure integrated the functionality of ethylenediamine with the stability of the WOx frameworks. In situ synchrotron- radiation X-ray diffraction is used to elucidate a possible formation mechanism of the hybrid WOx-EDA. The nanowire morphology, lamellar structure and abundant functional amino groups endow them with versatile abilities. For example, in heavy metal ion adsorption the WOx-EDA nanowires display exceptional adsorption capabilities of 925 mg·g^-1 for Pb^2＋ and 610 mg·g^-1 for UO2^2＋. The nanowires also show outstanding stability and activity as a heterogeneous base catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction at room temperature. The catalyst can be recycled and reused for 20 cycles with nearly 100% yields. This study provides a new strategy to design inorganic-organic hybrid materials, and offers a multifunctional material that is a highly efficient adsorbent and sustainable catalyst.

Clostridium leptum, a key player in gut butyrate production, has a profound impact on various facets of intestinal health. A recent clinical trial highlighted a significant increase in the relative abundance of this species in response to dietary interventions using beneficial oils. We isolated microbial strains corresponding to “Clostridium leptum” (at the 16S rRNA gene similarity level) and sequenced their genomes. All three genomes were successfully reconstructed, maintaining the chromosome as a single contig. Subsequent genome-wide analysis unveiled the phylogenetic diversity of the isolates, including the discovery of a new species - Gallacutalibacter singaporense. Based on the reconstructed metabolic model, we predicted the growth condition patterns of this new species and confirmed the predictions in vitro. Leveraging the assembled genomes, we dissected the components of the strong dietary intervention response signal previously ascribed to “C. leptum” and revealed distinct individual dynamics of all three bacteria in the clinical trial context. The transitional behavior of the novel species, in particular, revealed intriguing patterns, blazing the path to uncovering previously unrecognized interactions along the diet – gut microbiome – human health axis.

Acinar metaplasia is an initial step in a series of events that can lead to pancreatic cancer. Here we perform single-cell RNA-sequencing of mouse pancreas during the progression from preinvasive stages to tumor formation. Using a reporter gene, we identify metaplastic cells that originated from acinar cells and express two transcription factors, Onecut2 and Foxq1. Further analyses of metaplastic acinar cell heterogeneity define six acinar metaplastic cell types and states, including stomach-specific cell types. Localization of metaplastic cell types and mixture of different metaplastic cell types in the same pre-malignant lesion is shown. Finally, single-cell transcriptome analyses of tumor-associated stromal, immune, endothelial and fibroblast cells identify signals that may support tumor development, as well as the recruitment and education of immune cells. Our findings are consistent with the early, premalignant formation of an immunosuppressive environment mediated by interactions between acinar metaplastic cells and other cells in the microenvironment. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma may be initiated by acinar metaplasia, but the molecular and cellular insights during this transition are unclear. Here the authors show, using single cell RNA-sequencing analyses, that mouse metaplastic acinar cells can be clustered into six cell types or states that are heterogeneous and have unique transcription programs.

ObjectiveDiets rich in fermentable fibres provide an array of health benefits; however, many patients with IBD report poor tolerance to fermentable fibre-rich foods. Intervention studies with dietary fibres in murine models of colonic inflammation have yielded conflicting results on whether fibres ameliorate or exacerbate IBD. Herein, we examined how replacing the insoluble fibre, cellulose, with the fermentable fibres, inulin or pectin, impacted murine colitis resulting from immune dysregulation via inhibition of interleukin (IL)-10 signalling and/or innate immune deficiency (Tlr5KO).DesignMice were fed with diet containing either cellulose, inulin or pectin and subjected to weekly injections of an IL-10 receptor (αIL-10R) neutralising antibody. Colitis development was examined by serological, biochemical, histological and immunological parameters.ResultsInulin potentiated the severity of αIL10R-induced colitis, while pectin ameliorated the disease. Such exacerbation of colitis following inulin feeding was associated with enrichment of butyrate-producing bacteria and elevated levels of caecal butyrate. Blockade of butyrate production by either metronidazole or hops β-acids ameliorated colitis severity in inulin-fed mice, whereas augmenting caecal butyrate via tributyrin increased colitis severity in cellulose containing diet-fed mice. Elevated butyrate levels were associated with increased IL-1β activity, while inhibition of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 by genetic, pharmacologic or dietary means markedly reduced colitis.ConclusionThese results not only support the notion that fermentable fibres have the potential to ameliorate colitis but also caution that, in some contexts, prebiotic fibres can lead to gut dysbiosis and surfeit colonic butyrate that might exacerbate IBD.