The Impacts of Migration on Multidimensional Child Well-Being: Comparative Analysis Between Moldova and Georgia

Using novel household survey data collected between September 2011 and December 2012 on migrant- and non-migrant households in Moldova and Georgia, this paper proposes a method for measuring and comparing multidimensional child well-being in a migration context. While a growing body of literature addresses the effects of migration for children “left behind”, relatively few studies have empirically analysed if and to what extent migration implies different well-being outcomes for children. To compare the outcomes of children in current- and non-migrant households, the present paper defines a multidimensional well-being index comprised of six dimensions of wellness: education, material living standards, protection, physical health, emotional health, and communication access. The results of both bivariate and multivariate analysis suggest that migration bears limited consequences for different domains of well-being. In both Moldova and Georgia children in migrant households were found to have a slightly lower probability of attaining material well-being, but in Georgia migration was linked to higher probabilities of children attaining wellbeing in physical health, communication access, and on total index level. The results suggest that when migration has any statistically significant effect on child well-being, it is generally positive and relatively low in magnitude. The impacts of migration appear to differ widely between Moldova and Georgia, however. While migration was seen to have limited effect on the well-being of children in Moldova, it seemed to bear more consequences for children in Georgia, which likely reflects different migration trajectories, mobility patterns, and levels of maturity of each migration stream

“Children with an Absent Parent: Are They Worse-off?”

While it is taken as a given that the absence of a parent, main caregiver, or other family member can significantly affect many aspects of child well-being, the precise relationship between parental absenteeism through migration and child well-being outcomes is still uncertain. Within the field of migration studies increasing attention has been paid to the “left behind”, individuals who remain in the country of origin following the emigration of a household member. Available evidence on the lives of children left behind is scattered, however, due to the limited scope and depth of previous studies, many of which address the phenomenon through small-scale, qualitative studies. Migration of a household member could have both positive and negative effects on the well-being of children who remain in the country of origin: the transfer of remittances and availability of additional resources could enable the household to make increased investments in the education and health of children while enabling them to meet daily consumption needs without problem. At the same time the absence of a care giver could imply less supervision and greater emotional challenges for children. There are generally no universally positive or negative impacts of migration on well-being outcomes. Kandel and Kao (2001) note that there is a tendency to over-simplify potential positive benefits of migration, and nuance is often lost by failing to balance greater material resources against losses of less-easily measured impacts (such as parental supervision)

3-{1-[(2,4-Dinitrophenyl)hydrazino]­ethyl­idene}-5-(1-methylpropyl)pyrrolidine-2,4-dione

In the title compound, C16H19N5O6, two intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds help to establish the conformation. In the crystal, intermolecular N—H⋯O links result in chains propagating in [010]

GIPC1 regulates MACC1-driven metastasis

Background: Identification of cancer metastasis-relevant molecular networks is desired to provide the basis for understanding and developing intervention strategies. Here we address the role of GIPC1 in the process of MACC1-driven metastasis. MACC1 is a prognostic indicator for patient metastasis formation and metastasis-free survival. MACC1 controls gene transcription, promotes motility, invasion and proliferation of colon cancer cells in vitro, and causes tumor growth and metastasis in mice. Methods: By using yeast-two-hybrid assay, mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation and peptide array we analyzed GIPC1 protein binding partners, by using the MACC1 gene promoter and chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay we probed for GIPC1 as transcription factor. We employed GIPC1/MACC1-manipulated cell lines for in vitro and in vivo analyses, and we probed the GIPC1/MACC1 impact using human primary colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue. Results: We identified MACC1 and its paralogue SH3BP4 as protein binding partners of the protein GIPC1, and we also demonstrated the binding of GIPC1 as transcription factor to the MACC1 promoter (TSS to -60 bp). GIPC1 knockdown reduced endogenous, but not CMV promoter-driven MACC1 expression, and diminished MACC1-induced cell migration and invasion. GIPC1 suppression reduced tumor growth and metastasis in mice intrasplenically transplanted with MACC1-overexpressing CRC cells. In human primary CRC specimens, GIPC1 correlates with MACC1 expression and is of prognostic value for metastasis formation and metastasis-free survival. Combination of MACC1 and GIPC1 expression improved patient survival prognosis, whereas SH3BP4 expression did not show any prognostic value. Conclusions: We identified an important, dual function of GIPC1 - as protein interaction partner and as transcription factor of MACC1 - for tumor progression and cancer metastasis

Child and Adolescent Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of the Three-Wave Longitudinal COPSY Study

Purpose The German population-based longitudinal COVID-19 and Psychological Health study monitors changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies vulnerable groups. Methods A nationwide, population-based survey was conducted in May 2020 to June 2020 (Wave 1), December 2020 to January 2021 (Wave 2), and September 2021 to October 2021 (Wave 3). In total, n = 2,097 children and adolescents aged 7–17 years were investigated using measures to assess HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10), mental health problems (SDQ), anxiety (SCARED), depressive symptoms(PHQ-2), and psychosomatic complaints(HBSC-SCL). Results The prevalence of low HRQoL increased from 15% prepandemic to 40% and 48% in Waves 1 and 2 and improved slightly to 35% in Wave 3 (all differences significant). Similarly, overall mental health problems increased from 18% prepandemic to 29% in Wave 1 and 31% in Wave 2 to 28% in Wave 3 (all differences significant, except Wave 3 vs. 2), anxiety increased from 15% prepandemic to 24% and 30% in Waves 1 and 2 and was still 27% in Wave 3. Depressive symptoms increased from 10% prepandemic to 11% and 15% in Waves 1 and 2 and were 11% in Wave 3. A group with low parental education, restricted living conditions, migration background, and parental mental health problems was at significantly increased risk of HRQoL and mental health impairments. Discussion The prevalence of low HRQoL, mental health problems, and anxiety has been elevated throughout the pandemic. Thus, mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention strategies need to be implemented to support adolescents–particularly those at risk.Peer Reviewe