Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the measures imposed to control it have impacted food security globally, particularly among vulnerable populations. Food insecurity, in turn, has repercussions on health, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. This scoping review maps the literature describing associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity among migrants, with a particular view toward health. A total of 909 papers were extracted through four electronic databases, and 46 studies were included. The migrant populations described originated mainly from Latin America (11/46) and were located in North America (21/46). Most studies included refugees and asylum seekers (20/46). The main challenges described were financial hardship (28/46), the effect of migrants' documentation status on using public food aid (13/46), and the suspension of or reduction in humanitarian assistance due to the economic recession (7/46). The impact of food insecurity on migrants' mental and physical health was described in 26 of the 46 studies. Authorities in all destination countries should focus their attention and efforts into ensuring nutrition security for migrants in a holistic way, including their economic and legal integration, to be better prepared for health crises in the future.

Multimorbidity and chronic diseases among undocumented migrants: evidence to contradict the myths.

BACKGROUND: There is little verified information on the global health status of undocumented migrants (UMs). Our aim is to compare the prevalence of the main chronic diseases and of multimorbidity in undocumented migrants, documented migrants, and Spanish nationals in a Spanish autonomous community. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of all users of the public health system of the region of Aragon over 1 year (2011): 930,131 Spanish nationals; 123,432 documented migrants (DMs); and 17,152 UMs. Binary logistic regression was performed to examine the association between migrant status (Spanish nationals versus DMs and UMs) and both multimorbidity and individual chronic diseases, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: The prevalence of individual chronic diseases in UMs was lower than in DMs and much lower than in Spanish nationals. Comparison with the corresponding group of Spanish nationals revealed odds ratios (OR) of 0.1-0.3 and 0.3-0.5 for male and female UMs, respectively (p < 0.05 in all cases). The risk of multimorbidity was lower for UMs than DMs, both for men (OR, 0.12; 95%CI 0.11-0.13 versus OR, 0.53; 95%CI 0.51-0.54) and women (OR, 0.18; 95%CI 0.16-0.20 versus OR, 0.74; 95%CI 0.72-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of data from a health system that offers universal coverage to all immigrants, irrespective of legal status, reveals that the prevalence of chronic disease and multimorbidity is lower in UMs as compared with both DMs and Spanish nationals. These findings refute previous claims that the morbidity burden in UM populations is higher than that of the native population of the host country.

Accessing public healthcare in Oslo, Norway: the experiences of Thai immigrant masseuses.

BACKGROUND: Thai massage is a highly gendered and culturally specific occupation. Many female Thai masseuses migrate to Norway as marriage migrants and as such are entitled to the same public healthcare as Norwegian citizens. Additionally, anyone who is not fluent in Norwegian is entitled to have an interpreter provided by the public healthcare system. Norway and most other countries aspire to universal health coverage, but certain immigrant populations continue to experience difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare. This study examined healthcare access among Thai migrant masseuses in Oslo. METHODS: Guided by access to healthcare theory, we conducted a qualitative exploratory study in 2018 with Thai women working as masseuses in Oslo, Norway. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 Thai women, we explored access to healthcare, health system navigation and care experiences. We analyzed the data using thematic analysis and grouped the information into themes relevant to healthcare access. RESULTS: Participants did not perceive that their occupation limited their access to healthcare. Most of the barriers participants experienced when accessing care were related to persistent language challenges. Women who presented at healthcare facilities with their Norwegian spouse were rarely offered interpreters, despite their husband's limited capacity to translate effectively. Cultural values inhibit women from demanding the interpretation services to which they are entitled. In seeking healthcare, women sought information about health services from their Thai network and relied on family members, friends and contacts to act as informal interpreters. Some addressed their healthcare needs through self-treatment using imported medication or sought healthcare abroad. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having the same entitlements to public healthcare as Norwegian citizens, Thai migrants experience difficulties accessing healthcare due to pervasive language barriers. A significant gap exists between the official policy that professional interpreters should be provided and the reality experienced by study participants. To improve communication and equitable access to healthcare for Thai immigrant women in Norway, health personnel should offer professional interpreters and not rely on Norwegian spouses to translate. Use of community health workers and outreach through Thai networks, may also improve Thai immigrants' knowledge and ability to navigate the Norwegian healthcare system.

¿Qué hacer en el postconflicto para alcanzar la paz en el seno de la familia colombiana? / What to do in the post-conflict period to achieve peace within the colombian family? / O que fazer no postconflicto para alcançar a paz na grande família colombiana?

El artículo de reflexión analiza la violencia en el seno de la familia, si se quiere lograr una paz real en Colombia en el postconflicto. La violencia en Colombia tiene un fuerte acervo cultural en el modelo patriarcal, donde el hombre posee el poder absoluto; él es dueño de la mujer y de los niños. Este acervo cultural es fuente de violencia en la familia y la ejerce el hombre hacia los demás miembros de la familia. La familia perdura en el tiempo, se configura de diversas maneras, pero se encuentra permeada por la violencia. Así, el espacio familiar es el más peligroso para mujeres y niños. Y por los altos índices de violencia en el seno de la familia, esta se convierte en un problema de salud pública. Los altos costos de la violencia en familia empobrece al pueblo colombiano. Aunque se han hecho proyectos para disminuir la violencia en familia, el hombre se adapta a las nuevas exigencias y situaciones sociales y presenta resistencia al cambio, él mantiene el poder sobre la mujer y los niños. En este contexto de violencia en el seno de la familia, el Estado debe garantizar la formación familiar, para recuperar a cada miembro de la familia, su interioridad, sus valores morales, el buen vivir, el bien actuar, la ética de la virtud, la prudencia. Es la posibilidad de ir progresivamente transformando la cultura, de una violenta hacia una de paz y felicidad en familia.

The article of reflection analyzes the violence within the family if we want to achieve a real peace in Colombia in the post-conflict. Violence in Colombia has a strong cultural heritage in the patriarchal model where man possesses absolute power, he is owner of the woman and the children. This cultural heritage is a source of violence in the family and it is exercised by the man towards the other members of the family. The family lasts over time, it is configured in different ways, but it is permeated by violence. Thus, the family space is the most dangerous for women and children. And because of the high rates of violence within the family, this becomes a public health problem. The high costs of family violence impoverish the Colombian people. Although projects have been made to reduce family violence, the man adapts to new demands and social situations and he is resistant to change, he maintains power over woman and children. In this context of violence within the family, the State must guarantee family formation, to recover each member of the family, their interiority, their moral values, good living, good acting, virtue ethics, and prudence. It is the possibility to be transforming progressively the culture, from a violent towards one of peace and happiness as a family.

O artigo de reflexão analisa a violência dentro da família se quisermos alcançar uma paz real na Colômbia no pós-conflito. A violência na Colômbia tem uma forte herança cultural no modelo patriarcal onde o homem tem poder absoluto, ele é o dono de mulheres e crianças. Esta herança cultural é uma fonte de violência na família e é exercida pelos homens em relação aos outros membros da família. A família dura com o tempo, se configura de maneiras diferentes, mas é permeada pela violência. Assim, o espaço familiar é o mais perigoso para mulheres e crianças. E por causa das altas taxas de violência dentro da família, isso se torna um problema de saúde pública. Os altos custos da violência familiar empobrecem o povo colombiano. Embora projetos tenham sido feitos para reduzir a violência familiar, o homem se adapta a novas demandas e situações sociais e é resistente à mudança, ele mantém o poder sobre as mulheres e crianças. Neste contexto de violência dentro da família, o Estado deve garantir a formação da família, recuperar cada membro da família, sua interioridade, seus valores morais, boa vivência, boa atuação, ética da virtude, prudência É a possibilidade de transformar progressivamente a cultura, de violenta para a paz e a felicidade como família.

Activation of Peptidylarginine Deiminase in the Salivary Glands of Balb/c Mice Drives the Citrullination of Ro and La Ribonucleoproteins.

The goal of the present study was to determine whether peptidylarginine deiminase PAD2 and PAD4 enzymes are present in Balb/c mouse salivary glands and whether they are able to citrullinate Ro and La ribonucleoproteins. Salivary glands from Balb/c mice were cultured in DMEM and supplemented with one of the following stimulants: ATP, LPS, TNF, IFNγ, or IL-6. A control group without stimulant was also evaluated. PAD2, PAD4, citrullinated peptides, Ro60, and La were detected by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence. PAD2 and PAD4 mRNAs and protein expression were detected by qPCR and Western blot analysis. PAD activity was assessed using an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. LPS, ATP, and TNF triggered PAD2 and PAD4 expression; in contrast, no expression was detected in the control group (p < 0.001). PAD transcription slightly increased in response to stimulation. Additionally, PAD2/4 activity modified the arginine residues of a reporter protein (fibrinogen) in vitro. PADs citrullinated Ro60 and La ribonucleoproteins in vivo. Molecular stimulants induced apoptosis in ductal cells and the externalization of Ro60 and La ribonucleoproteins onto apoptotic membranes. PAD enzymes citrullinate Ro and La ribonucleoproteins, and this experimental approach may facilitate our understanding of the role of posttranslational modifications in the pathophysiology of Sjögren's syndrome.

Multimorbidity and Its Patterns according to Immigrant Origin. A Nationwide Register-Based Study in Norway.

INTRODUCTION: As the flows of immigrant populations increase worldwide, their heterogeneity becomes apparent with respect to the differences in the prevalence of chronic physical and mental disease. Multimorbidity provides a new framework in understanding chronic diseases holistically as the consequence of environmental, social, and personal risks that contribute to increased vulnerability to a wide variety of illnesses. There is a lack of studies on multimorbidity among immigrants compared to native-born populations. METHODOLOGY: This nationwide multi-register study in Norway enabled us i) to study the associations between multimorbidity and immigrant origin, accounting for other known risk factors for multimorbidity such as gender, age and socioeconomic levels using logistic regression analyses, and ii) to identify patterns of multimorbidity in Norway for immigrants and Norwegian-born by means of exploratory factor analysis technique. RESULTS: Multimorbidity rates were lower for immigrants compared to Norwegian-born individuals, with unadjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals 0.38 (0.37-0.39) for Eastern Europe, 0.58 (0.57-0.59) for Asia, Africa and Latin America, and 0.67 (0.66-0.68) for Western Europe and North America. Results remained significant after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. Similar multimorbidity disease patterns were observed among Norwegian-born and immigrants, in particular between Norwegian-born and those from Western European and North American countries. However, the complexity of patterns that emerged for the other immigrant groups was greater. Despite differences observed in the development of patterns with age, such as ischemic heart disease among immigrant women, we were unable to detect the systematic development of the multimorbidity patterns among immigrants at younger ages. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that migrants have lower multimorbidity levels compared to Norwegian-born. The greater complexity of multimorbidity patterns for some immigrant groups requires further investigation. Health care policies and practice will require a holistic approach for specific population groups in order to meet their health needs and to curb and prevent diseases.

Isolated tarso-conjunctival superior eyelid traumatic laceration.

To report a unusual case of an isolated traumatic stellated tarso-conjunctival laceration located in the upper left eyelid without eyelid margin involvement and with normal ocular examination. A 19 year-old male wounded by a bokken (wooden katana) while practicing a sham duel had an isolated eyelid tarso-conjunctival laceration, without any other eyelid layer damage, neither skin nor muscle. Treatment was conservative without suture, by means of compressive occlusion fixing the pieces of broken tarsus in the correct position. The aim of the treatment was to avoid any wrong eyelid position secondary to healing. The eyelid maintained normal structure and movement in the follow-up at 8 months. Tarsal plate rupture is usually combined with other eyelid layer damage, which usually requires suture by layers. If eyelid skin and muscle are intact, we may choose conservative management.