Characterisation of the unique large Armadillo repeat protein (LARP) in the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei

The family of Armadillo(ARM) repeat proteins is known to play key roles in the cellular machinery of eukaryotic cells, including processes like gene expression, cell signalling and cytoskeletal organisation. Their repeating 42 amino acid motif provides a platform for numerous protein-protein interactions. Despite their known importance in eukaryotic cells, ARM repeat proteins remain poorly investigated in Apicomplexan parasites, including the malaria causing Plasmodium species. This study characterises the phylum-specific large Armadillo repeat protein (LARP), one of the 10 ARM repeat proteins known in Apicomplexa. For the first time, the localisation of a fluorescent tagged LARP protein was determined in the rodent malaria model system Plasmodium berghei. Live cell imaging revealed a predominant cytosolic expression of the protein in every life cycle stage of the parasite. The invasive P. berghei stages additionally demonstrate a distinct apical localisation of LARP-GFP, that forms a ring-like structure at the apical end of the cell. Subcellular fractionation assays confirmed the cytosolic expression, but also indicated a partial membrane attachment of LARP, that is possibly enabled through post-translational methylation. The apical expression and membrane attachment of LARP-GFP strongly suggest a localisation of LARP to the apical complex and therefore a connection to the invasion and motility machinery of P. berghei. A functional analysis indicated that LARP is likely essential in the asexual blood stages. Despite different approaches in this study, a comprehensive functional analysis through a conditional knockdown system has not yet been achieved. However, the presence of LARP in every P. berghei life cycle stage, its distinct properties in invasive parasite stages and apicomplexan-specific nature suggest LARP as a possibly interesting drug-target and highlight the overall importance of ARM repeat proteins in Plasmodium

Publikationserwartungen in Wissenschaftskarrieren: Publizieren in der außeruniversitären Forschung am Beispiel der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

"Im vorliegenden Paper sind wir der Frage nach dem Zusammenhang von Publikationspraktiken und Karrierewegen in der außeruniversitären Forschung nachgegangen. Erfolgreiche Wissenschaftskarrieren sind eng mit Publikationstätigkeiten verbunden. Wir versuchen die Publikationspraktiken, welche der Veröffentlichung einer Publikation vorausgehen, zu beleuchten. Dabei haben wir unsere Forschungsbestrebungen auf zwei Max-Planck-Institute konzentriert und mit diesen kooperative Partner gefunden, die uns die Erhebung von Daten ermöglichten. Dabei bedienen wir uns Bourdieus Feld- und Habitustheorie, um die Bewegung der Akteure - deren Handeln wir vor dem Hintergrund verschiedener Kapitalsorten erklären - im wissenschaftlichen Feld nachzuvollziehen und zu beschreiben. Wir haben uns die Frage gestellt, wie die gegenseitigen Erwartungen sowie den Wettbewerb betreffende, soziale Umgangsregeln im wissenschaftlichen Feld generiert werden. Bourdieus Illusio-Begriff ermöglicht uns die Betrachtung des Wissenschaftlers, der sich zunehmend mit dem 'Spiel' im wissenschaftlichen Feld und dessen Regeln identifiziert. Die Strukturationstheorie Anthony Giddens' gestattet uns zudem die stärkere Berücksichtigung der ermöglichenden und beschränkenden Perspektive auf Publikationsregeln, was wir als Regulation bezeichnen. Anhand der Theorie und unserer Ergebnisse zeigen wir, dass Wissenschaftler je nach ihrer Position im Feld unterschiedlichen Einflüssen und Erwartungen ausgesetzt sind. Unser Fokus liegt dabei auf der Beziehung zwischen Doktoranden und deren Betreuern. Im Folgenden explizieren wir die Erwartungen, um zu betrachten, wie diese weitergegeben werden und mit welchen Publikationspraktiken diesen begegnet wird. Schlussendlich können wir den Zusammenhang zwischen Publizieren und Karrierewegen im wissenschaftlichen Feld präzisieren." (Autorenreferat)"This paper examines the relationship between publication practices and career paths in non-university research contexts. Successful scientific careers are closely linked to publication activities. In the following we highlight the practices which lead up to the publication of scientific material. Our findings are derived from interviews with members of two Max Planck Institutes, as well as additional interview partners gained through those initial contacts, who allowed us to collect the necessary data for this project. In our analysis we draw from Bourdieu's theoretical concepts of habitus and field to de-scribe and understand actors' movements, while referencing various forms of capital to explain their actions. We also pose the question of how mutual expectations as well as social rules governing competition in the scientific field are generated. Bourdieu's concept of illusio provides us with an analytical instrument to capture scientists' increasing identification with the 'game' being played out in their field together with its associated rules. Moreover, concepts garnered from Anthony Giddens' structuration theory allow us to ob-serve publication rules as at once enabling and constraining, a condition which we characterize as regulation. Drawing from these theoretical concepts and the results of our analysis, we demonstrate that scientists are subject to varying influences and expectations depending on their respective positions in the field. In this context we focus on a specific subset of actors, namely doctoral candidates and their advisors. We will identify and discuss the expectations involved in this relationship in order to observe their trans-mission and reproduction, as well as the publication practices implemented in response to these pressures. We conclude with a discussion of the relationship between publishing and career paths in the scientific field." (author's abstract

The Impact of Translactational Delivered Meloxicam Analgesia on Biomarkers of Pain and Distress after Piglet Processing

Oral meloxicam was administered to sows post-farrowing to investigate a novel route of providing analgesia to processed piglets via translactational drug transfer. Physiologic indicators of piglet pain were analyzed to determine the effects on pain control. An effective meloxicam dosage was reached in 4/5 sow litters with no adverse clinical effects. Both piglet cortisol and cranial skin temperature measured by infrared thermography indicated significant differences in pain biomarkers between treatment groups. This study demonstrates the successful transfer of meloxicam in sow’s milk and description of physiologic pain indicators after processing. It provides the foundation for future research into refining a novel, efficacious, and practical method of providing analgesia to piglets during processing

Development and refinement of a technique for short-term intravascular auricular vein catheter placement in mature sows

Intravenous drug administration in adult swine is difficult to perform due to inaccessible superficial veins and thick subcutaneous fat layers. However, successful intravenous drug administration is critical for many biomedical applications including pharmacokinetic studies as extravascular drug administration can influence the drug’s absorption and elimination rate. The purpose of this study was to develop and refine an effective technique for indwelling auricular vein catheter placement in the conscious mature sow. We developed a protocol using a topical anesthetic cream and minimal physical restraint to place indwelling catheters in the auricular vein of six multiparous sows. This method was quick (3 min 20 s ± 8 s [mean ± SE per catheter]), effective (11/12 catheters successfully placed) and reliable, allowing a large drug volume (20–22 mL) to be administrated successfully during the trial without relying on prolonged restraint or general anesthesia of the sow

Systematic analysis of Plasmodium myosins reveals differential expression, localisation, and function in invasive and proliferative parasite stages

The myosin superfamily comprises of actin‐dependent eukaryotic molecular motors important in a variety of cellular functions. Although well studied in many systems, knowledge of their functions in Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, is restricted. Previously, six myosins were identified in this genus, including three Class XIV myosins found only in Apicomplexa and some Ciliates. The well characterized MyoA is a Class XIV myosin essential for gliding motility and invasion. Here, we characterize all other Plasmodium myosins throughout the parasite life cycle and show that they have very diverse patterns of expression and cellular location. MyoB and MyoE, the other two Class XIV myosins, are expressed in all invasive stages, with apical and basal locations, respectively. Gene deletion revealed that MyoE is involved in sporozoite traversal, MyoF and MyoK are likely essential in the asexual blood stages, and MyoJ and MyoB are not essential. Both MyoB and its essential light chain (MCL‐B) are localised at the apical end of ookinetes but expressed at completely different time points. This work provides a better understanding of the role of actomyosin motors in Apicomplexan parasites, particularly in the motile and invasive stages of Plasmodium during sexual and asexual development within the mosquito

The international perinatal outcomes in the pandemic (iPOP) study: Protocol

Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death worldwide, but the causes of preterm birth are largely unknown. During the early COVID-19 lockdowns, dramatic reductions in preterm birth were reported; however, these trends may be offset by increases in stillbirth rates. It is important to study these trends globally as the pandemic continues, and to understand the underlying cause(s). Lockdowns have dramatically impacted maternal workload, access to healthcare, hygiene practices, and air pollution - all of which could impact perinatal outcomes and might affect pregnant women differently in different regions of the world. In the international Perinatal Outcomes in the Pandemic (iPOP) Study, we will seize the unique opportunity offered by the COVID-19 pandemic to answer urgent questions about perinatal health. In the first two study phases, we will use population-based aggregate data and standardized outcome definitions to: 1) Determine rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth and describe changes during lockdowns; and assess if these changes are consistent globally, or differ by region and income setting, 2) Determine if the magnitude of changes in adverse perinatal outcomes during lockdown are modified by regional differences in COVID-19 infection rates, lockdown stringency, adherence to lockdown measures, air quality, or other social and economic markers, obtained from publicly available datasets. We will undertake an interrupted time series analysis covering births from January 2015 through July 2020. The iPOP Study will involve at least 121 researchers in 37 countries, including obstetricians, neonatologists, epidemiologists, public health researchers, environmental scientists, and policymakers. We will leverage the most disruptive and widespread natural experiment of our lifetime to make rapid discoveries about preterm birth. Whether the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening or unexpectedly improving perinatal outcomes, our research will provide critical new information to shape prenatal care strategies throughout (and well beyond) the pandemic

Correction: Managing Climate Change Refugia for Climate Adaptation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159909.]