Transformative Learning Through Indigenous Partnership: The Role of Student Employees in Place-Based Education.

Introduction The tools and processes used to select applicants to medical school and residency training play a critical role in determining the future of healthcare. As selection strategies evolve to keep up with the competencies expected of physicians and the social accountability mandates of medical education programs, it is increasingly imperative that we develop awareness of how equity is influenced by how admissions decisions are made. This study was, thus, conducted to explore the consistency with which sociodemographic variables are associated with scores on academic and non-academic medical school selection tools. Methods Retrospective cohort study of 6 successive application cycles (2016–2021) undertaken at the University of British Columbia’s Undergraduate MD Program. Six sociodemographic variables were gathered or constructed from data available in the program’s admissions database: Applicants’ age, gender, high school location, self-identified disability, Indigeneity, and an educational-occupational index that reflects socioeconomic status. Subgroup differences were assessed for each cohort on each sociodemographic variable for 5 admissions tools: Grade point average, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Non-academic activity assessment, Multiple Mini-Interviews, and a Remote and Rural Suitability Score. Results N = 14,781 applicants were included. Although patterns emerged, variability across cohort was also prominent. Large and consistent differences were observed between age groups and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous applicants for both academic measures (GPA: d = 0.96 and 0.63 for age and Indigeneity, respectively; MCAT: d = 0.84 and 0.86, respectively). Other associations were less robust. Discussion These data demonstrate the importance of taking the entire admissions system into account when making policy decisions rather than simply debating the value of tools independent of one another. Further, the data reveal the need to treat quality assurance efforts in a longitudinal manner rather than risk being misled by assuming any given cohort year to be representative of more general patterns.

ndrea Damascelli has always been fascinated by light.He uses it to probe materials on an atomic level, and his observations have contributed to the condensed-matter community's understanding of high-temperature superconductors and quantum materials.His research group at the University of British Columbia (UBC) uses time-, spin-, and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, an intricate technique that maps the energy and velocity of electrons as they propagate through materials.

While Canadian First Nations communities actively participate in sport, cultural, and land-based activities, they face various barriers to physical activity. Despite calls for increased support at all government levels, access to suitable programs for those with chronic conditions in particular remains limited. As part of an ongoing partnership between the University of British Columbia and Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), this qualitative study aimed to explore current values, perceived barriers, and potential facilitators of physical activity among people living with chronic health conditions in rural and remote First Nations communities in northern British Columbia. This qualitative study is part of a larger mixed-methods, community-based participatory action project with CSFS titled Niwh Yizt’iyh Hilht’iz Nets’eelh’iyh – “Strengthening our Bodies”. Semi-structured interviews, with optional Photovoice, were conducted with participants aged 12 years and older who had at least one chronic condition and belonged to First Nations communities served by CSFS. Participants were recruited from a prior community-based physical activity survey study that captured brief information on current physical activity experiences in their community. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, guided by Indigenous Wholistic Theory (a framework emphasizing the interconnected and cyclical physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health and wellness) to ensure cultural relevance. Coding progressed from semantic to latent themes, supported by NVivo and reflexive journaling. Interviews were conducted with 29 participants from three communities (69% female, mean age: 55 years old), all managing various chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. The identified themes were: 1) Integrating cultural values with physical activity to manage chronic disease, 2) Cultural disconnection: A barrier to health and physical activity, and 3) Community approaches to facilitate physical activity in chronic disease. Together, these themes highlight the role of culture, supportive community structures, and tailored approaches in physical activity engagement. To strengthen physical activity programming, service providers should ensure initiatives are aligned with community values, address identified barriers, and encourage locally recognized facilitators. These insights will empower health care organizations and communities to develop targeted, inclusive strategies for physical activity programming tailored to individuals with chronic conditions.

This article is derived from and expands upon research originally presented in the doctoral thesis “From Home to School: Bridging the Literacy Gap in L1 Wolof Child Learners of L2 French in Senegal” submitted by Moustapha Fall to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver (2014). It examines the critical role of home literacy and environmental print in early reading development and its implications for second language (L2) French acquisition in Senegalese schools. Prior research highlights that children’s early exposure to print-rich environments significantly shapes their reading readiness and long-term literacy success. However, the degree of such exposure varies widely across cultural contexts, with substantial effects on children’s familiarity with print and early alphabet knowledge. Drawing on a recent experimental study published in 2020, this paper investigates the linguistic and cognitive factors contributing to Senegalese students’ difficulties in reading French as an L2. The study, conducted with both schoolchildren and their parents, evaluates how early home reading practices and exposure to environmental print influence L2 reading development. Findings reveal that limited environmental print and inconsistent parental engagement in early literacy activities pose significant challenges to young learners’ reading comprehension in French. The article concludes by outlining the specific reading difficulties encountered by elementary students and emphasizing the need to consider environmental print as a foundational component of effective L2 reading instruction.

Wolf Creek XVIII Part 8: Wolf Creek Innovator in Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation Science Award.

Forced migrants (i.e., asylum seekers and refugees) experience greater mental health disparities and inequities in care. Mental health services and systems lack clear policy on integrated mental healthcare. Understanding the causal mechanisms of integrated mental health for migrants can promote a resilient and adaptive health and social care system. However, to achieve a functional mental health service integration, there is a need to understand how and why mental health system integration works and under what health systems conditions. The purpose of this realist review protocol will be to outline a process for refining an initial programme theory (IPT), developed through deliberative dialogues with key interest groups in British Columbia, Canada, and to test the IPT against the global evidence base. A realist review is an interpretive methodological approach to synthesising the literature based on the realist philosophy of science. Realist reviews are pragmatic approaches to theory development because they involve the participation of real-world actors or people who work within complex systems. Realist reviews are particularly useful for synthesising complex knowledge. We plan to conduct a seven-step review process, with iteration between each step. Steps 1-3 have already been completed in our previous work and included the development of an IPT, which will be refined systematically by exploring the global literature and consulting with an international advisory group. These will be used iteratively to identify, test and refine the programme theory. The quality of included literature will be appraised using the relevance, richness and rigour criteria and the realist quality appraisal tool, TAPUPASM (transparency, accessibility, propriety, utility, purposiveness, accuracy, specificity and modified objectivity). Steps 4-7 will include data extraction and realist analysis through retroductive theorising using the ICAMO (intervention, context, actor, mechanism and outcome) heuristic to help distinguish actors and resources from contexts, mechanisms and outcomes. Ethics approval for the deliberative dialogue interviews that inform this realist review and IPT were obtained by the University of British Columbia (ref: REB Number: H22-03195). Study recruitment occurred between 21 November 2023 and 16 January 2024. All participants provided informed consent to take part in deliberative dialogues and to have their interviews audio recorded and transcribed for the purpose of this research. We will disseminate results of the review through academic papers, conference presentations and through iterative interest group workshops and discussions. CRD42024580083.

Abstract Background: MBC bone defects occur in the axial skeleton in 70% of patients (pts), decreasing survival and quality of life (QoL). Pathologic fracture and spinal cord compression are skeletal-related events (SRE) that further reduce survival. MBC bone lesions create destructive lytic defects that produce debilitating pain often requiring opioid pain management, palliative radiation therapy, and surgery. Reducing SRE risk will improve QoL. Zeta-BC-003, is a first-in-class intratumoral injectable drug therapy that contains a specific concentration of a well-known small molecule, that works via a new molecular pathway. Zeta-BC-003 is comprised of a collagen-calcium phosphate biomaterial infused with N-allyl noroxymorphone resulting in CR in 6 consecutive pts in a Phase 2a trial, consistent with 2 pts previously treated via Compassionate Use (CU) with 2-yr follow-up (Palma et al. Pain Manag, 2023). Methods: ZGMBC (NCT05280067) is a non-randomized, open label Phase 2a trial currently at the University of British Columbia. Ten female pts were enrolled (8/23-3/25) with spinal MBC lytic bone lesions and a Spinal Instability Neoplastic Scale (SINS) score ≥3 and ≤9. Under sedation, 1 lesion per patient was treated with a single intratumoral injection of Zeta-BC-003, via an 18-gauge spinal needle and fluoroscopic guidance. Pts were followed with CT and MRI at discharge and days 84 & 180. Primary endpoints: SREs, Bone defect size change; Pain measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); and Postoperative prescription opioid use. Secondary endpoints: QoL via SF-12v2, SINS, and treatment response via the MD Anderson Criteria (MDAc) and RECIST v1.1. Results: Pts had a mean age of 52-yrs (range: 32.5 - 67.4) and 9 were pre/peri-menopausal. Six pts had HR+ tumors while 2 were HR+/HER2+, 1 was HER2+/HR-, and 1 was TNBC. Four pts had non-surgically accessible bone MBC (ribs, ilium, skull), 3 had liver metastases (mets), 1 had lung mets, and 3 had mediastinal lymph node mets. Five pts were given bisphosphonates. In the 6 pts that have completed the study there were no SAEs, AEs, or SREs. There were 6 treated lesions for the 6 pts, with one patient having 3 additional adjacent lesions for a total of 9. The mean bone defect volume decreased 87.9% (±8.5%) at day 180. Seven of the MBC bone defects were healed, resulting in normal bone morphology by imaging. All 6 pts had a CR treatment response via the MDAc, which is defined as ‘fill-in’ of the bone defect via CT + no active tumor (‘hot spots’) on MRI. A 24.2% increase in the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and a 12.1% increase in the Mental Component Summary (MCS) showed improved QoL (SF-12v2). Pain decreased 4.16% per the mean NRS. The Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED) was calculated for the 3 pts treated with opioids, which showed a decrease of 66.9%, 66.7%, and 33.3%. QoL improved with decreased MED, with PCS increasing for those pts 36.7%, 13.4%, and 58.4%. Decreased MED related to a lower MCS for 2 pts (2.4% & 6.9%) while the third increased 47.1%. The mean SINS increased 18.5%, from 4.5 to 3.7, indicating increased stability. Conclusion: There were no SREs and Zeta-BC-003 provided a CR (no active tumor) in all 6 pts for all 9 lesions, decreased MBC bone defect volume, increased stability (SINS), decreased pain (NRS & MED), and increased patient QoL. Zeta-BC-003 prevented SREs while 53% of MBC pts with bone mets reported an SRE (Parkes et al. Oncologist 2018). These data are consistent with the pts treated via CU and followed for 2-yrs, in which a CR was observed in all 7 treated MBC bone lesions coupled with decreased pain via the NRS (50%) and 76% less opioid drug use via the MED (day 0: 250-mg vs 2-yrs: 60-mg). These results offer the first non-palliative intratumoral treatment that ceases MBC lytic lesion activity, regrows bone, reduces SRE risk, while increasing QoL and possibly overall survival. Citation Format: M. K. S. Heran, B. S. Margulies, J. C. Loy, D. Villa. Single Intratumoral Drug Injection Yields Complete Response (CR) in Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Bone Lesions: Results from a Phase 2a Trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS1-13-18.

Preamble Nikolas Christensen, a pioneer in the study of the elasticity of crust and upper mantle lithologies, passed away on May 19, 2022 (see https://rock.geosociety.org/net/documents/gsa/memorials/v51/Christensen-NI.pdf). Prior to his passing, Nik had been working on a manuscript that described and interpreted his extensive data base of seismic anisotropy measurements. He provided the manuscript materials to one of us (M.G.B.) for comment with the intent of eventual submission. Although the manuscript was not completed, the initial sections, which provide context, describe the methodology, and summarize the measurements, were reasonably self contained. More importantly, the extensive tables of painstakingly taken measurements that form the basis of the work had been prepared in publication-ready form and as spreadsheets. Owing to the profound and invaluable contributions of Nik's previous compilation papers on crustal composition (Christensen & Mooney, 1995) and the isotropic elasticity of common lithologies Christensen, 1996) to the seismological and geological communities, it is our opinion that the present work should be published for the benefit of future scientific investigations of lithospheric anisotropy. We have elected to submit the manuscript on Nik's behalf as a research note to Seismica. The title has been changed from the original ``Metamorphism and crustal seismic anisotropy: A global perspective'' to the present one, but aside from this and minor editorial revisions, it is a faithful representation of the original draft. Note that this manuscript is accompanied by an independent commentary by Douglas Schmitt in this issue of Seismica.-- Michael G. Bostock, Simon M. Peacock, Matthew S. Tarling. The University of British Columbia. Abstract An increasing number of seismic investigations have reported convincing evidence for the widespread existence of crustal anisotropy in a variety of tectonic regions. Interpretations of these observations, as well as future seismic studies designed specifically to investigate crustal anisotropy, require detailed knowledge of anisotropic wave propagation in rocks which have undergone deformation and accompanying recrystallization. Of particular importance are the symmetries and magnitudes of P- and S-wave anisotropies and S-wave splitting. A detailed experimental investigation of the anisotropic properties of metamorphic rocks has been carried out to hydrostatic pressures of 1GPa. Each measurement averages the orientations and correct elastic properties of hundreds of thousands of grains, as well as takes into account the important effects of grain shape and grain boundaries on velocities. Common metamorphic rocks, especially those with pelagic protoliths, often have axial symmetries with slow P-wave velocities normal to cleavage, schistosity, and banding. For slates, phyllites, and quartz mica schists, S-wave singularities occur at angles averaging 42° from their symmetry axes, as well as parallel to symmetry axes. Many axial symmetry amphibolites also have slow P velocities and elastic properties similar to crystals with hexagonal symmetry, but unlike metapelitic rocks do not possess off axis S-wave singularities. Rocks with fast axis P-waves and axial symmetry include blueschists, marbles, and dunites. S-wave singularities for these rocks appear to be limited to propagation parallel to symmetry axes. Of importance, maximum S-wave splitting does not always coincide with propagation normal to symmetry axes, and fast vibration directions can be normal as well as parallel to the strike of foliation. Rocks with well-developed foliations and lineations have, as expected, seismic properties similar to those of orthorhombic single crystals. P-wave velocities are fast parallel to lineations originating from foliation crenulations and mineral elongations. Orthorhombic rock S-wave singularities are rare for propagation in mirror planes, but, when present, occur in symmetry planes defined by the maximum and minimum P-wave velocities. Crustal regions most likely to show strong seismic anisotropy include accretionary prisms containing abundant slate and phyllite and crustal regions rich in quartz mica schist and amphibolite.

In the digital era, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in clinical medicine. To investigate this trend, this study uses bibliometric methods to systematically review the literature on AI applications in clinical medicine from 2010 to 2025, aiming to reveal the global landscape of development. This study employs bibliometric analysis methods based on the Web of Science Core Collection database, utilizing software such as Microsoft Office Excel 2023, Origin, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix to analyze the selected literature and identify research trends and hotspots in the application of AI within clinical medicine. A total of 2,872 literature articles on AI applications in clinical medicine were included in the analysis. Since 2017, publication volume has increased significantly. Researchers from 114 countries contributed to this field. The United States produced the highest number of articles and led in international collaborations. In total, 1,000 institutions were engaged in AI clinical medicine research, with Harvard Medical School having the highest output (n = 85). 19,537 researchers contributed to the publication of the research report. Arman Rahmim from the University of British Columbia was the most prolific (n = 12), maintaining high productivity between 2020 and 2022. The fields of medicine, general medicine, and internal medicine dominated participation in AI clinical applications. Biomedical sciences showed the highest level of involvement (n = 798). Currently, AI, classification, and prediction studies are at the forefront of AI clinical applications. In 2023, the emergence of ChatGPT, a large language model, brought this technology to the forefront. AI fosters rapid growth in global research within clinical medicine. This expansion is driven by technological innovation and spreads across all areas of healthcare. Large language models, such as ChatGPT, have initiated a new growth phase in this field. Their integration with clinical scenarios is accelerating intelligent and convergent advancements.

To examine how Canadian medical schools contribute to the family physician workforce. Population-based repeated cross-sectional study. All Canadian medical schools. All Canadian medical graduates (CMGs) between 2000 and 2023. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of the associations between age, sex, and medical school attended, and entry into family medicine (FM) training. Trends in the proportion of CMGs entering FM postgraduate training were examined by medical school and region using linear regression models to calculate average annual percent changes (AAPCs). Of 55,883 CMGs, 22,849 (40.9%) specialized in FM. Quebec had the highest proportion (44.5%) of graduates specializing in FM. McGill University (31.7%), Queen's University (31.8%), and the University of Toronto (33.0%) had the lowest proportions of graduates specializing in FM. Entry into FM was more likely among females (IRR=1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26 to 1.33) and those aged 31 years and older at entrance into FM (IRR=1.47, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.53). After adjusting for age and sex, CMGs from NOSM University, the University of Sherbrooke, and the University of Montréal were most likely to specialize in FM, while graduates from McGill University, the University of Toronto, Queen's University, and the University of Calgary were least likely. Nationally, the proportion of CMGs entering FM increased from 36.2% (2000-2004) to 43.0% (2019-2023) (AAPC=0.36%, 95% CI 0.22% to 0.51%). Several universities saw a significant increase over time in the proportion of graduates entering FM (Laval University, University of Sherbrooke, University of Montréal, McGill University, Western University, the University of Manitoba, and the University of British Columbia) while NOSM University showed a decline in graduates entering FM (AAPC=-1.01%, 95% CI -1.65% to -0.37%). Regionally, growth was highest in Quebec (AAPC=0.52%, 95% CI 0.34% to 0.71%), followed by Ontario (AAPC=0.33%, 95% CI 0.16% to 0.50%), Central-Western Canada (AAPC=0.25%, 95% CI 0.01% to 0.49%), and Eastern Canada (AAPC=0.07%, 95% CI -0.17% to 0.30%). Substantial variation exists in the proportion of CMGs specializing in FM by medical school. These findings may highlight differences by school in the characteristics of medical students, undergraduate medical curriculum, social accountability mandates, and student experiences. Ongoing efforts to understand and address these differences are crucial to strengthening Canada's primary care workforce.

This article considers Trump as an example of "vile sovereignty," a concept Michel Foucault put forward in the mid 1970s to describe "the exercise of power through the explicit disqualification of the person who wields it" (2003b: 35)—a "childish discourse" that disqualifies the speaker at the very moment that they are being appealed to as a figure of authority (36). We argue that this concept helps illuminate contemporary US politics, where Trump's carnivalesque flaunting of political decorum and morality paradoxically seem to buttress the power of his Republican Party. Building upon our theorization of the role vile sovereignty has played in recent Canadian politics (Orpana & Mauro 2013/14), our contribution considers Trumpist popular representations, focusing on Todd Phillips's Joker (2019). The film speaks directly to the cultural and racial politics of an exhausted progressive neoliberalism, and offers a neo-populist vision in response—both markers, we argue, of contemporary vile sovereignty. From there we turn to the conjuncture and consider vile sovereignty as a Jamesonian "vanishing mediator" to a new legitimation of power: an authoritarian populism interested primarily in maintaining and extending planetary extractivism and in staving off attempts at the democratic socialization of energy production. Author Biographies Simon Orpana Simon Orpana is a writer, artist and sessional instructor in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University. He is co-author, with Rob Kristofferson, and illustrator of Showdown!: Making Modern Unions (Between the Lines 2016), a graphic history of the 1946 strikes in Hamilton, Ontario that established industrial unionism in Canada. His writing has appeared in Topia, English Studies in Canada, and Zombie Theory: a Reader (University of Minnesota Press 2018). Evan Mauro Evan Mauro is contract faculty at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches English and Cultural Studies. His research and teaching use frameworks from community engaged scholarship, Marxism, and anticolonial thought. Other writings appear in Topia, Mediations, and Reviews in Cultural Theory. He lives and works in Vancouver.

Telomeres, nucleoprotein structures located at the ends of chromosomes, maintain genomic stability and regulate cellular lifespan, particularly in immune cells. Telomere shortening, driven by cell division and limited telomerase activity, accelerates immune ageing and increases susceptibility to infectious diseases. Chronic infections like HIV and tuberculosis exacerbate telomere attrition through sustained immune activation and oxidative stress. This study presents a bibliometric review of research on telomere length and infectious diseases from 2005 to 2025. Data from the Web of Science Core Collection were analysed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace, software tools for visualising co-authorship, citation, and keyword networks, to assess publication trends, collaborations, and themes. A total of 123 publications were identified, showing steady growth with a 60% increase in publications from 2020 to 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading journals included Frontiers in Immunology, PLoS ONE, and Scientific Reports. The United States produced the largest share of publications, followed by Canada and Spain, with notable contributions from the University of British Columbia and Université de Montréal. Influential authors such as Côté HCF, Pick N, and Maan EJ have advanced research, particularly in the areas of HIV and tuberculosis. Keyword analysis highlighted two dominant themes: immune ageing and infection-related stress. Malaria research was comparatively scarce, underscoring a gap for future investigation. These findings inform future research on telomere-targeted interventions and epidemiological studies aimed at enhancing infectious disease management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the field's progress and identifies key areas for future investigation.

RATIONALE First Nations communities prioritize physical activity, sport and land-based activities for many reasons, including improved health and wellness and cultural significance. There have been calls to enhance physical activity programs, particularly in remote and rural areas where activity programs and pulmonary rehabilitation are limited. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify the values, barriers and facilitators of physical activity in rural and remote First Nations communities in northern British Columbia (BC) to guide culturally appropriate and sustainable programming, including pulmonary rehabilitation programming. This study was a collaboration between the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), a First Nations-led healthcare organization in this area. METHODS A survey on physical activity was completed by members aged 12+ from various First Nations communities in north-central BC. Questions covered demographics, current activity levels, values, barriers and programming preferences. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total 216 survey responses were obtained. Respondents had a median age of 42 years (range 12–89 years). Half of the participants were active at least 10 min per day, 5 days per week. Walking (49%) was the most enjoyable activity. Common symptoms included fatigue (40%), difficulty breathing (31%), a lack of infrastructure (21%) and equipment (20%). However, 82% of participants viewed physical activity as important and were interested in attending an educational event to learn about physical activity relevant to First Nations cultures. CONCLUSION Respondents are interested in culturally appropriate programming but identified barriers that need to be addressed by CSFS to tailor programming for their member communities.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) literature was conducted to clarify the current research hotpots and development trends, and provide new ideas for basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment. Without any time limit, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science databases from the Web of Science core collection were used as data sources, and bibliometric and VOSviewer software were used to visualize and analyze the literature in terms of authors, journals, countries, institutions, and their collaborative networks, as well as the keyword networks. The final inclusion of 4442 EtCO2-related publications, the number of publications is generally on the rise; the top 3 countries in terms of publications are the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada; the top 3 institutions are the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and Harvard University; the journal with the largest number of publications is the Journal of Applied Physiology. Currently, research in this field mainly focuses on the definition of end-expiratory CO2 partial pressure, monitoring methods, monitoring indexes, and application disciplines; the influencing factors related to the application of EtCO2, its application in various diseases, and its relationship with obstructive sleep apnea are the hot spots of research, and perhaps a major trend in the future. An increasing number of publications indicate that researchers are showing interest in the field of EtCO2, and ongoing research maintains a relatively mature level. The international community has established a good foundation for cooperation, and it is necessary to increase cooperation among researchers, institutions, and countries. At the same time, it is necessary to explore in-depth and strengthen personnel cooperation, expand the coverage of fund support, and further improve the quality of literature.

Pediatric asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disorder, is increasingly recognized for its association with gut microbiota dysbiosis, mediated through immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation. Recent advancements in multi-omics technologies and the "gut-lung axis" hypothesis have propelled this field into a research frontier. This bibliometric study delineates global research trends, collaborative networks, and emerging directions in pediatric asthma-gut microbiota research. Publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (2000-2024) were systematically retrieved using keywords related to asthma, children, and gut microbiota. Data from 635 articles (392 original studies, 243 reviews) were analyzed via CiteSpace and VOSviewer to map country/institutional contributions, author networks, citation metrics, and keyword clusters. Non-English publications, patents, and conference abstracts were excluded. Global output demonstrated exponential growth, with 62% of articles published between 2018 to 2022. The United States led in productivity (180 articles, 28.35%) and citations (10,851), while Canada achieved the highest citation impact (121.12 citations/article). Key contributors included Prof Stuart E. Turvey (19 articles, 2463 citations) and Prof B. Brett Finlay (140.07 citations/article). The University of British Columbia dominated institutional contributions (28 articles, 149.11 citations/article). The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology emerged as the top journal (33 articles, 126.48 citations/article). Seminal works highlighted early-life gut dysbiosis (e.g., reduced Lachnospira and Faecalibacterium) and cesarean delivery's role in asthma risk. Keyword clustering revealed 6 themes: disease phenotypes (asthma-allergy comorbidity), microbiota dynamics (dysbiosis, short-chain fatty acids [SCFAs]), immune mechanisms (T helper 17 cells/Treg imbalance, gut-lung axis), developmental exposures (antibiotics, breastfeeding), methodologies (metagenomics), and therapeutic strategies. This study underscores a paradigm shift from descriptive microbial profiling to mechanistic exploration of microbiota-derived metabolites (e.g., SCFAs) and early-life interventions. Future priorities include elucidating causal pathways via longitudinal cohorts, developing microbiota-targeted therapies, and leveraging multi-omics integration. Despite limitations in database scope, this analysis highlights accelerating translation from basic research to clinical applications through global collaboration. Researchers should prioritize interdisciplinary studies to unravel the "microbiome-immune-development" triad and optimize personalized asthma management.

Objectives: The curriculum redesign process within the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Dental Hygiene Degree Program (DHDP) involved the creation of new curriculum in social entrepreneurship, advocacy, and interprofessional education. Thus the research question was: where can curriculum spaces be found for the new renewal themes? Methods: The DHDP course and section coordinators (n=16) were invited to a three-round Delphi study to explore curriculum spaces. Round 1 asked participants to identify curriculum spaces. Round 2 asked participants to rate their agreement with the round 1 items. Round 3 asked participants to rank items for implementation. Results: The response rate was 81% in round 1, 56% in round 2, and 69% in round 3. Consensus was reached to create spaces within (a) biomedical sciences, (b) statistics, oral epidemiology, and literature reviews, and (c) theory and practice. Twenty-six hours were found for social entrepreneurship and 24 hours for advocacy curriculum. Conclusions: Curriculum spaces were found but the redesign process can be challenging as faculty may experience a loss of their expertise. The findings of this study are specific to UBC’s program. However, the spaces found, and the lessons learned will likely resonate with faculty members across the health professions.

Peer leaders at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) are asked to provide faculty with reflective, journal-like essays describing their experiences, challenges, advice, and anything else they may want to share to benefit future Peer leaders. Here, a similar approach has been taken in the form of two separate essays; one written immediately after the completion of my undergraduate studies (December 2019) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and a second towards the end of my graduate studies (August 2025) at the University of British Columbia. As a senior graduate student preparing to transition into the scientific and academic workforce, I wish to share my experiences, thoughts, and reflections on a program that has meant, and continues to mean, more than I ever anticipated when I first joined the first semester General Chemistry 1305 Peer Leading program at UTEP.

The interplay between exercise and cancer pain management has gained growing research interest globally. This investigation employs bibliometric mapping and visualization techniques to delineate emerging trends and intellectual structure within this domain. Relevant publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) (1900-2024) and analyzed using a suite of bibliometric tools, including CiteSpace, VOSviewer, the R package "bibliometrix," Microsoft Excel 2019, and an online analysis platform. The analysis encompassed 2929 publications on exercise and cancer pain, produced by 15,771 authors from 3778 institutions across 90 countries, and published in 1039 journals. The United States (830), China (255), and Australia (203) emerged as the leading contributors, with the United States maintaining a dominant position. Key institutions included the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (49 publications) and the University of British Columbia (138.63 average citations per article). Supportive Care in Cancer was identified as the most influential journal in the field. Keywords such as "symptom management," "patient reported outcomes," "inventory," "case report," "model," "fear," "persistent pain," and "muscle strength" represented potential future research hotspots. This bibliometric review confirms expanding scientific engagement with exercise-based cancer pain management. Research advancement requires multi-center studies, standardized metrics, and mechanistic exploration through biomarker-clinical correlation.

Abstract Background Urban forests enhance mental health by reducing loneliness, fostering connections to nature, and reducing stress and anxiety. There is growing interest in understanding how urban forests can help support mental health across the life course, including among young adults. Given the known psychological and social benefits of nature-rich environments, it is critical to evaluate the functionality and usage of urban forest spaces for specific groups, particularly those at higher risk of mental health conditions like the members of this age group. Methods This student-led research study at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus applied a mixed methods approach to assess the role of campus courtyards in supporting student wellbeing, with the ultimate aim of informing inclusive and effective spatial planning. Eight courtyards were analyzed via surveys and participant observation to understand their restorative and social benefits. Involving students as researchers played a vital role in offering alternative perspectives that helped identify previously overlooked gaps in this field. Results Our findings highlight the value of nearby, convenient greenspaces for young adults. There were 46 survey participants who shared their experiences in UBC courtyards, focusing on restorative and social benefits; 139 courtyard uses were observed by student researchers. Courtyards varied in biodiversity, order, and seclusion. Biodiverse courtyards received higher ratings for restoration, while social courtyards were linked to less reported guilt due to taking breaks. Across courtyard design typologies, students valued privacy, vegetation, and a sense of inclusion, although feelings of loneliness and discontent persisted. Conclusions This study demonstrates the value in engaging students as researchers to understand student perceptions of a campus urban forest for supporting wellbeing, social connection, and academic achievement. Although greenspaces such as courtyards are known to have restorative potential, they are not always designed to fully support student needs, highlighting the importance of student-informed planning frameworks that address existing gaps and foster more accessible, functional, and representative greenspaces on campuses.