LanB1 Cooperates With Kon-Tiki During Embryonic Muscle Migration in Drosophila

Muscle development is a multistep process that involves cell specification, myoblast fusion, myotube migration, and attachment to the tendons. In spite of great efforts trying to understand the basis of these events, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying myotube migration. Knowledge of the few molecular cues that guide this migration comes mainly from studies in Drosophila. The migratory process of Drosophila embryonic muscles involves a first phase of migration, where muscle progenitors migrate relative to each other, and a second phase, where myotubes migrate searching for their future attachment sites. During this phase, myotubes form extensive filopodia at their ends oriented preferentially toward their attachment sites. This myotube migration and the subsequent muscle attachment establishment are regulated by cell adhesion receptors, such as the conserved proteoglycan Kon-tiki/Perdido. Laminins have been shown to regulate the migratory behavior of many cell populations, but their role in myotube migration remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that laminins, previously implicated in muscle attachment, are indeed required for muscle migration to tendon cells. Furthermore, we find that laminins genetically interact with kon-tiki/perdido to control both myotube migration and attachment. All together, our results uncover a new role for the interaction between laminins and Kon-tiki/Perdido during Drosophila myogenesis. The identification of new players and molecular interactions underlying myotube migration broadens our understanding of muscle development and disease.

Academic mobility of doctoral students in Brazil: An analysis based on Lattes Platform

Objective. In this article, the academic mobility of Brazilian doctoral students moving from their home cities to other Brazilian cities including other countries is examined. Design/Methodology/Approach. The LattesDataXplorer tool was used to extract curriculum data from the Lattes Platform. 308,317 resumes were collected in May 2019, since then the data have been filtered, obtaining relevant data for the research. After extracting the data, they were enriched with the integration of other data sources, thus enabling the characterization of bibliometric networks for the analyses. Results/Discussion. It was possible to measure distances traveled by Brazilian doctors throughout their academic training, as well as to point out the cities, states, and countries whose doctors most meet in the academic journey and the relationships between these locations. Thus, making it possible to obtain a portrait of how the Brazilian scientific exodus occurs. In general, more than 90% of curricula have information on the academic background at each level of education. The average distance of 291 km between birth and place of formation at the graduation level is strongly influenced by outliers. Individuals choose to travel shorter distances throughout the academic training process, being the geographic location a strong influence on the migratory process for training. Conclusions. The United States represents the country where individuals choose to move the most. Regarding international migration, there is more preference for European countries than South American ones. When it comes to intra-regional migration, students prefer those states where the most relevant universities are located. Originality/Value. The article presents the results of original research focusing on the Brazilian scientific community. Distances performed by doctoral students throughout their academic trajectory are measured, as well as the main locations where they tend to move.

Complexities of Socio-Labor Integration in Chile: Migrating Colombian Women’s Experiences

The objective of the article is to understand Afro-Colombian women’s emotional experiences of the migratory process, and their labor insertion in Chilean territory. The Antofagasta region is one of the doors that connects Chile with its neighbors; at the same time, it is a national territory that is linked to important economic and human movements due to its mining activity. In the analysis of the data collected through of group and individual interviews conducted in the city of Antofagasta, we found experiences of xenophobia, labor abuse, discrimination, prejudices, and stereotypes articulated, along with the tendency of Chilean culture to value European traits over native Latin American traits.

Organized Immigrant Resources and Aspirations at the City Level of the Host Country – the Case of Casa do Brasil de Lisboa

This article looks at the Brazilian migrant association founded in 1992, functioning in the capital of Portugal, Casa do Brasil de Lisboa. Its origin is connected to the period of the first numerous stream of Brazilians coming to Portugal, the colonizer of their homeland in former times. Knowing that migrant networks are of great value to the process of immigrants’ integration into a host society – and a local community as well – Casa do Brasil de Lisboa is very active in this field. For instance, in partnership with the Lisbon City Council, this association offers guidance on the legalization of stay, and access to public and private services in Portugal. However, a large number of tasks undertaken by Casa do Brasil de Lisboa go far beyond this kind of guidance. Two editions of the project Migrante Participa (Migrant Participates) are a clear illustration of it. Each edition created opportunities to meet, gain knowledge, and share opinions on migratory process issues in the context of Portugal and Lisbon as well, encouraging political participation at the local level, for example. Casa do Brasil de Lisboa is also active in the field of culture, promoting Brazilian artists. What is more, this association is not closed for other nationalities and collaborates with various entities. To be more specific, therefore, the focus of this text is on presenting Casa do Brasil de Lisboa as a dynamic immigrant association working on increasing the level of integration and reducing the phenomenon of individual marginalization within the Lisbon community. As a theoretical framework of this text serves the concept of immigrants’ integration of Rinus Penninx.

Benzo[a]pyrene impairs the migratory pattern of human gonadotropin-releasing-hormone-secreting neuroblasts

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a widespread pollutant that can act as an endocrine disrupting compound (EDC) and interferes with reproductive function. The central regulatory network of the reproductive system is mediated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, which originate in the olfactory placode and, during ontogenesis, migrate into the hypothalamus. Given the importance of the migratory process for GnRH neuron maturation, we investigated the effect of BaP (10 µM for 24 h) on GnRH neuroblasts isolated from the human fetal olfactory epithelium (FNCB4). BaP exposure significantly reduced the mRNA level of genes implicated in FNCB4 cell migration and affected their migratory ability. Our findings demonstrate that BaP may interfere with the central neuronal network controlling human reproduction affecting GnRH neuron maturation.

The History and Current Position of the Afghanistan’s Sikh Community

The Sikhs in Afghanistan are the descendants of one of the non-Muslim communities that have lived in Afghanistan for centuries. Threatened by political insecurity, terrorist attacks and economic problems that have marked the country for several decades, they began in the 1980s a migratory process that has not stopped since then and has considerably reduced their number today. In this article, I will first present the social and historical origins of the Sikh community in Afghanistan, as well as some aspects that can help us to differentiate them from the international Sikh community. We will then see how the Afghan legislation and different versions of the constitution have addressed non-Muslims in general and the Sikh community in particular since the 1920s. Today, Afghan electoral law saves seats for non-Muslim communities’ representatives (Sikhs and Hindus) in parliament. To conclude, we will see how the diaspora of Afghan Sikhs is organized, by exploring the countries where they have been present for four decades and where we can find members of the second or the third generation, as well as countries like France where their presence is much more recent and is still in the integration phase within the host society.

Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Venezuelan Migrant Families in Bogotá, Colombia

Venezuela has had the largest migration in recent history, with 4.8 million people displaced due to sociopolitical, economic, electrical blackouts, and health crises. Nine out of 10 migrants are facing food insecurity during the COVID19 pandemic. Colombia has received the largest number of Venezuelans migrants, counting officially 1,764,883 to date. This study aims to analyze the changes in the migration process regarding the availability, access, and food consumption of Venezuelan migrants in Bogotá, before and after their arrival. This study uses a naturalistic approach, with a convenience sample (n = 15 families) who participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews about their experiences related to diet and nutrition, and the migratory process. Information was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory. Findings reflect that Venezuelan migrants leave the country due to severe lack of access to food which in turn affects the supply, acquisition, consumption, and nutritional status: “The main reason I left Venezuela was that I couldn't get groceries like milk to feed my granddaughter. When that happened, I couldn't stand it anymore.” After arrival in Colombia, dimensions of food and nutrition security, such as availability, physical and economic access, and consumption improved. However, families are still struggling to acquire basic food items. Households have access to a culturally adequate diet, but with insufficient nutritional quality, as noted by one participant: “The biggest difference is that in Venezuela you can't get the groceries to feed your whole family with the salary that you get. Here in Bogota, you can buy cheap food, to feed the whole family.” After their arrival, migrants still face difficulties that include legal issues, finding a place to stay, employment, access to high-quality foods, and xenophobia. They have regained the freedom to choose the food they want to buy in a dignified and socially accepted way; two elements that were no longer possible in Venezuela.

“We All Get Raped”: Sexual Violence Against Latin American Women in Migratory Transit in Mexico

The article addresses some forms of sexual violence suffered by Latin American women during migratory transit through Mexico. In-depth, semi-structured, qualitative–phenomenological interviews were conducted with 10 women in different stages of major transmigration states. The findings demonstrate the ubiquity of sexual violence during the migration. Five themes were identified: (a) The migration dimension of “being a woman”; (b) Recognition of contextual factors associated with the migratory process: “Intermediaries, road, shelters and sisterhood”; (c) The costs of migration: Abuse, discrimination, and persecution: “Criminal groups, physical violence, and “La Bestia”; (d) Triggers and supports: “Escape and future expectations”; and (e) God as a support.

Social Vulnerability Facing Older Persons Involved in Internal Migration During the Pandemic

The vulnerabilities of elderly persons have been receiving attention around the world in recent times especially those who are involved in migration and endured the Covid-19 lockdown. The migratory process of the elderly persons is a complex phenomenon and requires emphasis on a different perception of age-related migration cause, consequences, and pattern. There is limited research that fully assess the vulnerabilities facing migrated elderly persons especially against the backdrop of the pandemic. This study focuses on the Sarawak elderly persons who migrated to Johor following their children and relatives. FGDs was conducted with NGO stakeholders related to Sarawakian community and subsequently pilot in-depth interviews were conducted with 3 older in-migrant persons residing in the District of Pasir Gudang, Johor. Thematic analysis was performed on the FGDs and pilot in-depth interview data. The key findings revealed that loneliness, financial dependence, language barrier and healthcare issues are among the major concerns; and they came up with various coping strategies to manage these challenges. The study also revealed interesting challenges brought about by the restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Shorebird’s Longer Migratory Distances are Associated with Larger ADCYAP1 Microsatellites and Greater Morphological Complexity of Hippocampal Astrocytes

Background For the epic journey of autumn migration, long-distance migratory birds use innate and learned information and follow strict schedules imposed by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, the details of which remain largely unknown. In addition, bird migration requires integrated action of different multisensory systems for learning and memory, and the hippocampus appears to be the integration center for this task. In previous studies we found that contrasting long-distance migratory flights differentially affected the morphological complexity of two types of hippocampus astrocytes. Recently, a significant association was found between the latitude of the reproductive site and the size of the ADCYAP1 allele in long distance migratory birds. Methods We tested for correlations between astrocyte morphological complexity, migratory distances, and size of the ADCYAP1 allele in three long-distance migrant species of shorebird and one non-migrant. Results Significant differences among species were found in the number and morphological complexity of the astrocytes, as well as in the size of the microsatellites of the ADCYAP1 gene. We found significant associations between the size of the ADCYAP1 microsatellites, the migratory distances, and the degree of morphological complexity of the astrocytes. Conclusion We suggest that associations between astrocyte number and morphological complexity, ADCYAP1 microsatellite size, and migratory behavior may be part of the adaptive response to the migratory process of shorebirds.