Building a dual identity as an immigrant in the UK: Eritreans’ search for freedom and a sense of balance

This study explored the experiences of newly arrived and settled Eritrean immigrants currently in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with ten newly arrived (<one year) and ten settled (>seven years) participants, recruited through an Eritrean café and using snowball sampling. Thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) Wanting freedom, expectations of the UK and the desire for safety, (2) Integration and becoming part of the British community, (3) Personal development, which involved growth and aspirations. Transcending these themes was the notion of balance, and the co-existence of past and present. It is argued that Eritreans in the UK wish to become part of British community whilst at the same time remembering and celebrating their Eritrean culture. This is explained within the context of a dual identity and it is argued that rather than being a hindrance, a dual rather than single identity facilitates the process of integration.     

Magnetic biospecific affinity adsorbents for lysozyme isolation

Summary Magnetic biospecific affinity adsorbents for lysozyme isolation have been prepared. They were obtained by incorporation of fine magnetite particles into the structure of chitin, agar or agarose. Hen egg white lysozyme was obtained in 90% purity in one step.     

On resin amino acid side chain attachment strategy for the head to tail synthesis of new glutamine containing gramicidin-S analogs and their antimicrobial activity

The alarming increase in infections caused by multiple drug resistant bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has prompted a desperate search for new antimicrobials. Augmenting the discoveries of completely new scaffolds with antimicrobial activity are efforts aimed at modifying existing molecules to optimize activity or reduce toxicity. We report herein the parallel solid-phase synthesis of analogues of the cationic antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S (GS) using amino acid side chain attachment strategy. The ornithine (Orn) residues were replaced by glutamine (Gln) and the aromatic d-phenylalanine (Phe) were replaced by different aromatic d-amino acids. Additional Gln containing GS analogues with all the possible combinations of the hydrophobic amino acids valine and leucine were also synthesized. In this work we also report the antibacterial activity of these analogs against several clinically-important drug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.     

The Effects of Different Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Protocols on Cortical Gene Expression in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury

Although repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in treatment of stroke in humans has been explored over the past decade the data remain controversial in terms of optimal stimulation parameters and the mechanisms of rTMS long-term effects. This study aimed to explore the potential of different rTMS protocols to induce changes in gene expression in rat cortices after acute ischemic-reperfusion brain injury. The stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with subsequent reperfusion. Changes in the expression of 96 genes were examined using low-density expression arrays after MCAO alone and after MCAO combined with 1Hz, 5Hz, continuous (cTBS) and intermittent (iTBS) theta-burst rTMS. rTMS over the lesioned hemisphere was given for two weeks (with a 2-day pause) in a single daily session and a total of 2400 pulses. MCAO alone induced significant upregulation in the expression of 44 genes and downregulation in 10. Two weeks of iTBS induced significant increase in the expression of 52 genes. There were no downregulated genes. 1Hz and 5Hz had no significant effects on gene expression, while cTBS effects were negligible. Upregulated genes included those involved in angiogenesis, inflammation, injury response and cellular repair, structural remodeling, neuroprotection, neurotransmission and neuronal plasticity. The results show that long-term rTMS in acute ischemic-reperfusion brain injury induces complex changes in gene expression that span multiple pathways, which generally promote the recovery. They also demonstrate that induced changes primarily depend on the rTMS frequency (1Hz and 5Hz vs. iTBS) and pattern (cTBS vs. iTBS). The results further underlines the premise that one of the benefits of rTMS application in stroke may be to prime the brain, enhancing its potential to cope with the injury and to rewire. This could further augment its potential to favorably respond to rehabilitation, and to restore some of the loss functions.     

The synthesis of 19-norandrostenedione from dehydroepiandrosterone in equine placenta is inhibited by aromatase inhibitors 4-hydroxyandrostenedione and fadrozole

19-Norandrostenedione was synthesized in vitro from dehydroepiandrosterone by explants of equine full-term placenta. The synthesis of 19-norandrostenedione was inhibited by two specific aromatase inhibitors, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione and fadrozole.     

Comparative syntheses of peptides and peptide thioesters derived from mouse and human prion proteins

Prions are suspected as causative agents of several neuropathogenic diseases, even though the mode of their action is still not clear. A combination of chemical and recombinant syntheses can provide suitable probes for explanation of prions role in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the prions contain several difficult sequences for synthesis by Fmoc/tBu approach. For that reason, the peptide thioesters as the key building blocks for chemical syntheses of proteins by native chemical ligation were employed. A scan of the mouse prion domain 93-231 was carried out in order to discover availability of derived thioesters as the suitable building blocks for a total chemical synthesis of the prion protein based probes. The synthesis on 2-chlorotritylchloride resin was utilized and after a deprotection of the samples for analysis, the peptide segments were purified and characterized. If the problems were detected during the synthesis, the segment was re-synthesized either using the special pseudoproline dipeptides or by splitting its molecule to two or three smaller segments, which were prepared easier. The protected segments, prepared correctly without any deletion and in sufficient amounts, were coupled either with EtSH after DIC/DMAP activation or with p-Ac-NH-Ph-SH using PyBOP activation to yield corresponding thioesters. In some special cases, the other techniques of thioester formation, like sulfonamide-safety catch and/or trimethylaluminium approach were utilized.     

Direct determination of total soil carbohydrate content

A direct procedure for the determination of total soil carbohydrate content and a classic determination after acid hydrolysis, both employing the phenol-sulphuric acid method, are compared. The direct procedure enables simultaneous determination of mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides without prior hydrolysis. This procedure is reproducible and takes only a short period of time. The correlation between the proposed method and the classic one with hydrolysis was high (r²=0.9843; n=11; p=0.05).     

Vitamin D in healthy Tunisian population: Preliminary results

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is one of the most common medical conditions worldwide. In Tunisia, several studies evaluated Vitamin D status, but this was concerning specific populations (pregnant women, obese or diabetic patients and children with asthma). The only study that evaluated Vitamin D status in a healthy Tunisian population was conducted by Meddeb and associeties in 2002. The update of data available, based on the currently recommended limits, is necessary. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in a healthy Tunisian population, and correlate the values with potential risk factors.MethodsIt was conducted on 209 Tunisian healthy subjects. Data collected included clinical characteristics and dietary intakes. We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), glycemia, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. Hypovitaminosis D was retained for 25(OH)D concentrations <75 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency was defined by 25(OH)D concentrations <25 nmol/L.ResultsThe prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D deficiency were respectively 92.3% and 47.6%. The main factors that were significantly associated with low vitamin D levels in our multivariate analysis were veiling, living in rural areas and sunscreen use. However, sex, age, socioeconomic level, phototype, solar exposure score, smoking and bone mass index, were not statistically associated with hypovitaminosis D. The study of relationship between vitamin D status and serum PTH levels showed a significative and negative correlation (P < 0.005).ConclusionsGiven the high prevalence of vitamin D, an adapted health policy is essential. A widespread vitamin D supplementation and food fortification seems to be necessary in Tunisia.