Remaining Family Members Research Articles

Internal migration in Chile and mental health in migrant‐sending communities

AbstractEmpirical research on migration has mostly concentrated on its economic impacts, with growing but limited focus on its mental health impacts in migrant‐sending communities. Existing studies mainly concentrate on the mental health of remaining household members, mostly establishing cross‐sectional correlations, with mixed findings depending on individual and contextual characteristics. Studies that address potential endogeneity are few and tend to find no significant causal impact of migration on the mental health of remaining family members. However, migration may affect not only the remaining household members but also the entire sending community by changing its demographic, social and economic composition. The aim of this paper is to analyse the overall impact of migration on the mental health of sending communities, considering both the impact of having a migrant family member and of living in a community experiencing net emigration. The paper addresses potential endogeneity through an instrumental variable approach, controlling for confounding factors and examines mental health outcomes beyond depression and stress, assessing also psychosocial difficulties and self‐efficacy. It uses nationally representative data from the 2017 National Health Survey in Chile, a country characterised by high internal mobility, significant mental health issues and concentration of mental healthcare provision in large urban centres. The study finds that living in net emigration municipalities increases the probability of experiencing a major depressive episode, psychosocial difficulties and low self‐efficacy. Results are robust to controlling for endogeneity using past migration rates as an instrument for current migration rates. These findings suggest that smaller, net emigration communities require policy attention, and in particular better mental healthcare provision, to avoid increasing the prevalence of mental health problems and the treatment gap between larger and smaller communities in Chile.

Family narratives of loss and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana

ABSTRACT This study explores and documents the processes of loss and grief among families who have lost relatives due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Gaborone city, Botswana. In-person and online in-depth interviews were used to collect data from 15 families and a key informant, selected using the non-probability technique of purposive sampling. Participant observation was also used as a method of data collection. We discovered that dealing with the processes of loss and grief has been restructured due to the pandemic, as there was limited to no interaction with the general public on the one hand, and funerals were short and less crowded on the other. Consequently, these changes have affected the aftermath as well as the mourning process of the concerned families. In addition, the study revealed that the concerned families and households were negatively affected by the untimely passing of their relative, and the short mourning days made it even harder for them to say goodbye properly. For remaining family members, it was difficult to grieve due to the lack of support from extended family members who were also affected by the pandemic. As they felt left out, the experience seems to have perpetuated mental health problems. Given the significance of COVID-19 in the history of humankind, documenting the experience of loss and grief in times of pandemic is a necessity, as it highlights various socio-cultural responses to the death of family members.

한국과 주요국의 웰다잉(Well-dying) 지원정책의 현황과 시사점

This study examines the recent trends in major countries through overseas case studies related to well-dying support policies and hospice/palliative care service systems in major countries, and draws implications through comparative analysis with Korea to suggest necessary improvement measures and policy recommendations. As a result of overseas case studies, major countries are promoting the provision of services centered on regional comprehensive systems and home care centered on regional base hospitals to improve the quality of death of members of society and support well-dying. In addition, a system was established to connect facilities related to well-dying support and provide diversified services, as well as provide an interconnection network for hospice and palliative care services. On the other hand, in Korea, the scope of death proposed by the legal and institutional foundation is still very narrow, and death is regarded as an event rather than a continuum of life, and the minimum legal and institutional foundation required for this is established. Therefore, we also need to gradually expand the legal and institutional foundation so that well-dying and preparation for a good death, which are closely related to the rapid progress of aging, can be realized. Above all, it is a limitation that the area of well-dying service that the domestic system is currently interested in is narrow, and policy interest in the psychological and social areas is still lacking, so it is possible to comfortably discuss death as an element of life rather than avoiding death. It is also necessary to create a positive social atmosphere, strengthen services for the remaining family members, and prepare a policy foundation. To realize this, it is necessary to make policy efforts to gradually overcome the narrowness of current interests and areas in a larger framework. In addition, there is a need to improve the system so that more diversified and comprehensive well-dying support can be achieved by developing it to suit our situation by referring to the cases of major countries.

Polycystic kidneys: Genetic testing and correct classification clinically and therapeutically of increasing significance

Cystic kidney disease is a clinically and genetically diverse group of diseases, with more than 100 genes known to date. One in 500 is affected worldwide, mostly due to a malfunction of cilia. New genes have been identified recently for the most common form autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Every fourth ADPKD patient is lacking a positive family history (mostly due to a de novo mutation); in these cases remaining family members can be relieved. Differentiation of entities just based on clinical and imaging data is often most challenging. However, an accurate classification is significant for the patient and family. Associated comorbidities and cross-organ complications can be detected early and targeted screening and monitoring can be facilitated. Relatives also benefit from an accurate and early diagnosis. Precise genetic counselling with indication of risks is only possible by knowing the concise disease genotype. Genetic diagnostics is becoming increasingly important in this context and in terms of risk stratification and drug-therapeutic options. The understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations has improved significantly in recent years. Wet and dry lab processes as well as the interpretation of genetic data for ADPKD require a high level of expertise. Differential diagnoses with mutations in other genes underlie patients with "ADPKD" or ADPKD-like phenotypes much more frequently than usually assumed. Due to the number and complexity of genes that need to be considered, a tailored NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) approach using a customized, well-balanced multi-gene panel is cost-effective and currently the method of choice. Differences in the quality of laboratories must be taken into account. With this, the genetic etiology and underlying mutation(s) can be found in most cases.

Migration, resettlement and integration of survivors of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda in Canada: A community‐based study

AbstractThis article describes the migration, resettlement and integration challenges and strengths of members of the African Diaspora in Canada who identify as survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi of Rwanda. Data were generated from semi‐structured interviews with 16 adult community members and a thematic analysis conducted inductively and collectively with the research team consisting of academics and representative community members. This article provides insights into the unique long‐term impacts of genocide on migration, resettlement and community‐level functioning for this group of African migrants living in a mid‐Western city in Canada. Results highlight how Canadian immigration policies limit migration options and prevent family reunification for migrants with none or few remaining family members and the associated resettlement challenges experienced by this group. Results also show the vital role the Rwandan Diaspora community, and particularly other survivors, play in supporting resettlement, integration and overall well‐being of genocide survivors.

Variants in the PNPLA1 Gene in Families with Autosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis Reveal Clinical Significance

The term autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is the subgroup of ichthyosis, which describes a highly heterogeneous group of genetic disorders of the skin characterized by cornification and defective keratinocytes differentiation associated with mutations in at least 14 genes including PNPLA1. To study the molecular basis of the Pakistani kindreds (A and B) affected by ARCI, whole-exome sequencing (WES) in the DNA samples of affected members was performed followed by Sanger sequencing of the candidate gene to hunt down the disease-causing sequence variant/s. WES data analysis led to the identification of a novel nonsense sequence variant (c.892C>T; p.Arg298*, family A) and a recurrent missense variant (c.102C>A; p.Asp34Glu, family B) in PNPLA1 mapped to the ARCI locus in chromosome 6p21.31. Validation and cosegregation analysis of the variants in the remaining family members of the respective families were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The current investigation expands the spectrum of PNPLA1 mutations and helps establish the proper clinico-genetic diagnosis and correct genotype-phenotype correlation.

Identification of Missense Extracellular Matrix Gene Variants in a Large Glaucoma Pedigree and Investigation of the N700S Thrombospondin-1 Variant in Normal and Glaucomatous Trabecular Meshwork Cells

ABSTRACT Purpose Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a complex heterogeneous disease. While several POAG genes have been identified, a high proportion of estimated heritability remains unexplained. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a leading POAG risk factor and dysfunctional extracellular matrix (ECM) in the trabecular meshwork (TM) contributes to elevated IOP. In this study, we sought to identify missense variants in ECM genes that correlate with ocular hypertensive POAG. Methods Whole-genome sequencing was used to identify genetic variants in five members of a large POAG family (n = 68) with elevated IOP. The remaining family members were screened by Sanger sequencing. Unrelated normal (NTM) and glaucomatous (GTM) cells were sequenced for the identified variants. The ECM protein levels were determined by Western immunoblotting and confocal and electron microscopy investigated ECM ultrastructural organization. Results Three ECM gene variants were significantly associated with POAG or elevated IOP in a large POAG pedigree. These included rs2228262 (N700S; thrombospondin-1 (THBS1, TSP1)), rs112913396 (D563 G; collagen type VI, alpha 3 (COL6A3)) and rs34759087 (E987K; laminin subunit beta 2 (LAMB2)). Screening of unrelated TM cells (n = 27) showed higher prevalence of the THBS1 variant but not the LAMB2 variant, in GTM cells (39%) than NTM cells (11%). The rare COL6A3 variant was not detected. TSP1 protein was upregulated and COL6A3 was down-regulated in TM cells with N700S subject to mechanical stretch, an in vitro method that mimics elevated IOP. Immunofluorescence showed increased TSP1 immunostaining in cell strains with N700S compared to wild-type TM cells. Ultrastructural studies showed ECM disorganization and altered collagen type VI distribution in GTM versus NTM cells. Conclusions Our results suggest that missense variants in ECM genes may not cause catastrophic changes to the TM, but over many years, subtle changes in ECM may accumulate and cause structural disorganization of the outflow resistance leading to elevated IOP in POAG patients.

Leveraging Grief: Involving Bereaved Parents in Pediatric Palliative Oncology Program Planning and Development.

As pediatric palliative care (PPC) became a recognized medical specialty, our developing clinical PPC team longitudinally partnered with bereaved parents to understand the care that their children received as they transitioned towards end of life. Families developed Eight Priorities, shared within, to improve care for children with a poor chance of survival based on their experience of losing a child to cancer. In this paper, we delineate the top eight PPC needs from a parent perspective to offer multi-layered, individually tailored resources for patients and families. One of these Eight Priorities noted that bereavement care for the remaining family members is vital for healing after the death of a child to promote meaning making and resilience in bereaved families. Here, we outline the creation of a bereaved parent-designed bereavement support program as one example of how we have partnered with parents to fulfill their Eight Priorities for quality care.

A SINE Insertion in F8 Gene Leads to Severe Form of Hemophilia A in a Family of Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Hemophilia A is the most common coagulation factor disorder in humans and dogs. The disease is characterized by the lack or diminished activity of Factor VIII (FVIII), caused by variants in the F8 gene and inherited as an X chromosomal trait. Two related male Rhodesian Ridgebacks were diagnosed with Hemophilia A due to reduced FVIII activity. The purpose of the study was to determine the genetic cause and give breeding advice for the remaining family members in order to eradicate the variant. By Sanger sequencing a short interspersed nuclear element (SINE) insertion in exon 14 of the F8 gene was found. Perfect correlation of this genetic variant with clinical signs of hemophilia A in the family tree, and the lack of this genetic variant in more than 500 unrelated dogs of the same and other breeds, confirms the hypothesis of this SINE being the underlying genetic cause of Hemophilia A in this family. The identification of clinically unaffected female carriers allows subsequent exclusion of these animals from breeding, to avoid future production of clinically affected male offspring and more subclinical female carriers.

A novel mutation of the RPGR gene in a Chinese X-linked retinitis pigmentosa family and possible involvement of X-chromosome inactivation.

The objective of this study is to investigate the molecular mechanisms and genotype-phenotype correlations of a Chinese family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). A four-generation family with a total of 41 individuals including 7 affected males was recruited. All subjects in this pedigree underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Targeted capture and next-generation sequencing were performed on the proband using a multigene panel containing 57 known causative genes of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), including RP1, RP2, RPGR, RHO, PRPH2, CRB1 among others. All variants were verified in the remaining family members by polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing. Blood DNA was used for X-chromosome inactivation analysis in female carriers. All the affected individuals were diagnosed with RP. The affected males showed symptoms from the first decade, while the female carriers had onset in the second decade or later. A frameshift mutation c.345_348delTGAA in the RPGR gene was identified in all affected males and female carriers. By XCI analysis, we found that there was little correlation between their phenotype and the methylation status of their X chromosomes. A novel mutation c.345_348delTGAA of the RPGR gene was identified, expanding the spectrum of RPGR mutations causing XLRP. In this pedigree, the phenotype extended to female carriers, in whom RP was milder and its onset delayed compared to hemizygous males. Although lack of strong correlation between X-inactivation and the severity of the disease, the milder, variable effects in female carriers still could reflect X-inactivation patterns in the retina of each individual.

Um olhar para a vida e obra de Luzimar Telles e sua contribuição para a arquitetura moderna de Cataguases

O artigo apresenta e discute a biografia do arquiteto Luzimar Telles, até então inexplorada, destacando sua formação e trajetória profissional em Cataguases, onde radicou-se. A cidade, por sua vez, destaca-se no contexto da historiografia da arquitetura moderna brasileira por seu significativo patrimônio. Relata o método de pesquisa empregado durante a etapa de pesquisa biográfica, parte integrante de uma investigação maior que analisou vinte e oito obras residenciais do arquiteto. Tal metodologia foi centrada principalmente em levantamento documental em acervos públicos e privados de Cataguases e também do Rio de Janeiro, além de entrevistas semiestruturadas com membros remanescentes da família. Neste estudo, que procurou paralelos entre vida e obra de Telles, inferiu-se que o início de sua atuação profissional como arquiteto tem relação com sua habilidade com desenho técnico e começou ainda antes de sua formação acadêmica. Observou-se a atuação de Telles como designer de móveis e a existência de mudança significativa na linguagem arquitetônica adotada pelo arquiteto a partir da década de 1970. A contribuição do trabalho é a de abordar pela primeira vez, de modo sistematizado, a trajetória profissional deste arquiteto, apontado como autor do maior número de obras modernas em Cataguases. Como resultados, obteve-se um aprofundamento acerca da trajetória profissional de Luzimar Telles e sua atuação em Cataguases. O tempo de atividade profissional de Telles e a lista de seus projetos na cidade foi significativamente ampliada, estabelecendo, assim, bases referenciais mais precisas para a continuidade de investigações acerca de sua produção.

“Family is Family Forever”: Perceptions of Family Changes After Deportation

Around 4.5 million U.S. citizen children are at risk of being separated from a parent due to deportation. This means that many citizen children who have a deported parent are growing up with fragmented families and long-distant parents. These children are often in the care of their remaining family members. Therapists need to understand what remaining family members can do to ease the transition for children and help them to make sense of their parent being deported. A retrospective lens is employed to explore adult experiences of their family post-deportation. Findings show that family went through a reorganization process after parental deportation which impacted how the child understood the deportation and affected the child’s perceptions and experiences of their parental loss. Implications are offered through the Family Resiliency Framework.

South African International Migration and its Impact on Older Family Members.

In this article, we explore the impact of South African families' emigration on parents/grandparents who must renegotiate their lives in their loved ones' physical absence. We adopted a transnational perspective in a bigger qualitative project to consider both sides of the migratory spectrum. Here we focus on elderly family members who remain behind-a group largely neglected in prior research. Our findings illustrate the complex emotions and relational changes experienced by elderly people whose families emigrate. New technologies bridge distances, allowing new ways to connect and take care of each other, and of re-imagining transnational relationships and what constitutes family life, but these bridges cannot negate the loss experienced by those remaining. People have to make sense of the emigration and forge new relational bonds with remaining family members. Our findings stress grandparents' meaningful role in a family system and highlight some gendered and racial differences in families' experiences.

SUN-LB034 A Rare Cause of Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia in Adulthood: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Post-prandial hypoglycaemia (PPH) after consumption of protein is a vanishingly rare condition. Congenital hyperinsulinism is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infants and children, although it is uncommon to be diagnosed in adulthood. Dominant activation of glutamate dehydrogenase, encoded for by the GLUD1 gene, causes the hyperinsulinemia/hyperammonemia syndrome (HHS). Within a family known to be affected by HHS, the first presentation in adulthood, is intriguing. Clinical case: A 32-year old male presented with new-onset generalised non-convulsive seizures and family history of genetically proven HHS in his mother, two siblings and two of their offspring. A heterozygous missense mutation (R269H) in exon 7 of the GLUD1 gene was identified several years ago in this family. Our patient was screened clinically for hypoglycemia in childhood, but he never underwent genetic testing, as he was not considered affected. Affected family members developed confusion and hypoglycaemia following high-protein meals, which was reversed with glucose and limiting protein intake, lessened further attacks. Our patient’s school performance was poor and described feeling unwell after eating large protein meals. He was fully orientated, but his mini-mental state examination was impaired at 21/30. He was hyper-reflexic with spreading of ankle and crossed adductor reflexes. Considering his family history, we performed continuous glucose monitoring for 14 days, revealing several post-prandial and fasting hypoglycaemic episodes (as low as 1.8 mmol/L) and an HbA1c of 3.5%. HHS was proven (serum ammonia 70 µmol/L; normal less than 35 µmol/L) and genetic analysis revealed an identical mutation to the aforementioned. Diazoxide was titrated to abrogate hypoglycaemia. Genetic screening of the remaining family members will be undertaken. Clinical lessons: Among causes of PPH, HHS is rare. Missed diagnoses can have profound neurological and cognitive consequences. The intrafamilial variability is demonstrable however; it is likely that HHS was missed in our patient’s initial presentation in childhood, as seizures and intellectual disability in adulthood are exceptionally rare complications of this condition. It demonstrates that it is critical to perform genetic testing on all members of an affected family, even in those asymptomatic. Genetic diagnoses of PPH are rarely made in adulthood, as there is often a low diagnostic suspicion at such a late presentation.

Full characterization and transcript expression profiling of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) gene family in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) represents a unique immune system among teleost fish, making it a species of interest for immunological studies, and especially for investigating the evolutionary history of immune gene families. The interferon regulatory factor (IRF) gene family encodes transcription factors which function in the interferon pathway, but also in areas including leukocyte differentiation, cell growth, autoimmunity, and development. We previously characterized several IRF family members in Atlantic cod (Irf4a, Irf4b, Irf7, Irf8, and two Irf10 splice variants) at the cDNA and putative amino acid levels, and in the current study we took advantage of the new and improved Atlantic cod genome assembly in combination with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) to characterize the remaining family members (i.e. Irf3, Irf5, Irf6, Irf9, and two Irf2 splice variants). Real-time quantitative PCR (QPCR) was used to investigate constitutive expression of all IRF transcripts during embryonic development, suggesting several putative maternal transcripts, and potential stage-specific roles. QPCR studies also showed 11 of 13 transcripts were responsive to stimulation with poly(I:C), while 6 of 13 transcripts were responsive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Atlantic cod head kidney macrophages, indicating roles for cod IRF family members in both antiviral and antibacterial responses. This study is the first to investigate expression of the complete IRF family in Atlantic cod, and suggests potential novel roles for several of these transcription factors within immunity as well as in early development of this species.

Self Choice to quit from Life against Nature: Tendency of Suicide in India

Suicide is a serious and universal problem which is a barrier to the sustainable development of society at the local, national and global level and depends upon a number of factors which may be auto-generated in the space and time. This unexpected decision of suicide by someone not only ends own life but also leave the extensive and shocking footprints for the remaining family members. The present study tries to examine the choro-chronological incidences of suicide in the nation and to know about those factors which command over this premature death. The work reveals that the occurrences of suicide vary along the lines of space, time and other socio-cultural aspects and significantly lethal means and methods are equally responsible for suicide variant. It is important to know that so-called developed states of the nation are facing this misfortune more as compared to others. It means that mental peace and satisfaction are more necessary for human being rather than the availability of materialistic things. Here social consistency may be a radiance of hope for prevention of such untimely and unnatural departure of an individual from the way of life.

National Movement with Poet Chowon and His Brothers and Its Significance

이 글은 여태껏 한 번도 거론된 적이 없었던 시인 조운의 형제와 가족들이 펼쳤던 항일 민족운동을 밝혔다. 조운의 형제들과 매부, 매제들은 모두 독립운동에 투신하였고, 투옥되어 옥고를 치른 뒤 고문의 후유증과 병으로 해방 전에 요절하였다. 조운도 작은형인 조철현과 함께 망명, 독립자금을 전달하는 등 적극적인 항일 운동을 펼친 덕분에 형제들과 매부, 매제들과 함께 옥고를 치렀다. 매부인 위계후를 비롯하여 조병현, 조철현 형제의 독립운동은 국가의 공훈을 받아 국립묘지에 안장되어 있고 매제인 김형모는 상해에서 활동한 기록을 확보할 수 없어 공적을 인정받지 못했다. 최서해 또한 유족 없이 묘지마저 방치되었다가 관리인에 의해 발견된 뒤 작은 행사를 갖고 있을 뿐이다. 조운은 매부와 형들의 민족 운동을 지켜보며 성장하였기 때문에 자연스럽고 당연하게 민족운동과 지역 문화운동에 투신하였다. 그러나 남한의 정치지형에서 조운의 월북은 독립운동마저도 거론 할 수 없는 배제의 이데올로기에 눌려 있어야 했다. 조운은 월북을 이유로 아직도 그의 독립운동은 인정받지 못한 채 월북의 굴레에 갇혀 있다. 남은 가족들마저 조운의 가족임을 숨기고 살고 있다. 이것은 국가의 정치적 이념이 독립운동에 투신하였던 한 가족이 어떻게 역사 속으로 어떻게 사라졌는지 잘 보여준다. 조운의 형제와 가족들의 항일민족운동을 밝힌바 앞으로 면밀한 연구들 통해 논의를 보완하는 후속 연구로 이들의 위치를 새롭게 해야 할 것이다.For the first time, I reviewed the anti-Japanese nationalist movement of Chowun’s brothers and families, which had never been mentioned before, just having focusing on the aspects of the national activist, Chowun. His brothers and brother-in laws, and younger brother-in-laws dedicated themselves to the independence movement. After they were imprisoned and jailed because of it, they died young by aftereffect of torture before liberation. Chowun also exiled with his brother, Cho Chulhyeon. They participated in anti-Japanese nationalist movement with their brothers and brother-in-laws. They were imprisoned and endured the hardship of prison life. Looking at the nationalist movement which his brother-in laws and brothers did, he also joined and grew together. It was natural he led nationalist movement and cultural movement. It might be a representative case that a nation and such period made a family fall. In this process, Cho Byeonghyeon, brother Cho Chulhyeon, and brother-in-law Wui Gyehu were buried at the National Cemetery after receiving the national awards. However, since Kim Hyeongmo acted in Shanghai, his records were not collected. Therefore, his dedication was not recognized. Choi Seohae didn’t have remaining family members alive. His grave was not taken care of. His grave was transferred to Mangwoori Park Cemetery. There have been small events by the cemetery guardian. Chowun’s anti-Japanese nationalist movement is still not recognized because of his trial to escape to North Korea. He is still in the circle of North Korea escape issue, we could find. We could see the aspects of anti-Japanese nationalist movement family through anti-Japanese nationalist movement by poet, Chowun’s family. It is considered necessary that their status should be updated through close research.

Functional characterization of the Sporothrix schenckii Ktr4 and Ktr5, mannosyltransferases involved in the N-linked glycosylation pathway

Sporothrix schenckii is one of the causative agents of the deep-seated mycosis sporotrichosis, a fungal infection with worldwide distribution. Fungus-specific molecules and biosynthetic pathways are potential targets for the development of new antifungal drugs. The MNT1/KRE2 gene family is a group of genes that encode fungus-specific Golgi-resident mannosyltransferases that participate in the synthesis of O-linked and N-linked glycans. While this family is composed of five and nine members in Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively, the S. schenckii genome contains only three putative members. MNT1 has been previously characterized as an enzyme that participates in the synthesis of both N-linked and O-linked glycans. Here, we aimed to establish the functional role of the two remaining family members, KTR4 and KTR5, in the protein glycosylation pathways by using heterologous complementation in C. albicans mutants lacking genes of the MNT1/KRE2 family. The two S. schenckii genes restored defects in the elaboration of N-linked glycans, but no complementation of mutants that synthesize truncated O-linked glycans was observed. Therefore, our results suggest that MNT1 is the sole member with a role in O-linked glycan elaboration, whereas the three family members have redundant activity in the S. schenckii N-linked glycan synthesis.

The tegumental allergen-like proteins of Schistosoma mansoni: A biochemical study of SmTAL4-TAL13

Schistosoma mansoni, like other trematodes, expresses a number of unusual calcium binding proteins which consist of an EF-hand domain joined to a dynein light chain-like (DLC-like) domain by a flexible linker. These proteins have been implicated in host immune responses and drug binding. Three members of this protein family from S. mansoni (SmTAL1, SmTAL2 and SmTAL3) have been well characterised biochemically. Here we characterise the remaining family members from this species (SmTAL4-13). All of these proteins form homodimers and all except SmTAL5 bind to calcium and manganese ions. SmTAL9, 10 and 11 also bind to magnesium ions. The antischistosomal drug, praziquantel interacts with SmTAL4, 5 and 8. Some family members also bind to calmodulin antagonists such as chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine. Molecular modelling suggests that all ten proteins adopt similar overall folds with the EF-hand and DLC-like domains folding discretely. Bioinformatics analyses suggest that the proteins may fall into two main categories: (i) those which bind calcium ions reversibly at the second EF-hand and may play a role in signalling (SmTAL1, 2, 8 and 12) and (ii) those which bind calcium ions at the first EF-hand and may play either signalling or structural roles (SmTAL7, 9, 10 and 13). The remaining proteins include those which do not bind calcium ions (SmTAL3 and 5) and three other proteins (SmTAL4, 6 and 11). The roles of these proteins are less clear, but they may also have structural roles.

Linkages Between Income Resources, The Cost Of Living And The Remittance: Case Of Indonesian Migrant Workers In Sabah Malaysia

In international migration, income resources, cost of living and dynamics of remittance have attained importance, however, in Indonesian migrant workers in Sabah (Malaysia) have not been studied thoroughly in this regard. This article would like to investigate Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia’s remitting behavior or decisions in light of their pre and post sources of income, cost of living, and how employer contribute in their cost of living. This study is based on the results of the ILMS survey conducted in 2010 and also in-depth informal interviews with legal and illegal workers. Under the survey, 896 respondents were interviewed. The article finds that migrants’ living expenses at the destination included daily consumption and accommodation usually formed the biggest portion of monthly expenditure, which affected the migrants’ remitting behavior. This research extended Russell’s model of remittances by including expenses at the destination that can influence the decision to remit, particularly among migrants accompanied by their family. It has been demonstrated that the costs of living expenses were higher among migrants with family in Sabah than among single migrants. This explains the tendency to send less frequently and a lower volume of remittances among the former. Hence, the trend of being accompanied by the family to Sabah has implications for migrants’ remitting behavior. The article concludes that migrant workers with families were less likely to send remittance to their remaining family members in Indonesia. They had to fulfill family needs in the destination country. It shows that migrants with families opt to spend and support the local economy, and do not remit to their home countries.   Keywords: migration, remittance, Russell, Malaysia, Indonesia