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The ‘plastisphere’, the diverse microbial community growing on the surface of floating plastic debris, represents a new artificial habitat for drifting aquatic organisms. Despite the presence of microalgae within this epiplastic biofilm has been documented, it is still unclear how these materials influence the structure and dynamics of microalgae communities, in particular in freshwater ecosystems. Here, we present the first results of the 4th collaborative FreshProject "PhytoPlastic". The project is aimed at investigating the temporal establishment of phytobenthos on different plastic polymers in lakes over a wide geographical scale. We incubated two widely used plastic polymers (low-density polyethylene-LDPE, polyethylene terephthalate-PET) and glass substrates (as control) in 14 lakes across Europe. To assess the temporal and seasonal evolution of the colonisation, samples were collected in each season after 3, 7, 15, and 30 days. For each substrate, we assessed the phytobenthic biomass estimating the chlorophyll a, and the ash-free dry mass. Moreover, microalgae composition was taxonomically determined on a subset of samples. This project represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first coordinated experiment conducted at a large spatial scale that explores the microalgae-plastic interaction. We will thereby generate a unique dataset, providing additional knowledge about the key drivers of the processes involved. Besides the valuable scientific knowledge, the project represents a large collaboration among early career researchers in freshwater sciences and will set the basis for further partnerships.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a lethal pediatric brain tumor. Radiation, the standard of care, extends life for 6-18 months but has never cured a patient. Therefore, the discovery of novel treatments is imperative. DIPG tumors have elevated baseline activation of the integrated stress response (ISR), an evolutionarily conserved system that allows cells to tolerate various forms of stress. Increased expression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) indicates activation of the ISR. Low levels of ATF4 protect cells from stress, while sustained high-levels of ATF4 result in cell death. Because DIPG has a high baseline level of ATF4, we hypothesized that the ISR activators Sal003 and ONC201 would synergize and kill DIPG cells. After determining the IC25 of Sal003 and ONC201, we treated three patient-derived cell lines: JHH-DIPG1, SF-7761, and JHH-DIPG16A with low micromolar doses. To measure proliferation, we performed immunofluorescence staining for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. The combination treatment significantly reduced BrdU incorporation (JHH-DIPG1 p=0.0026, SF-7761 p=0.0002, JHH-DIPG16A p Citation Format: Orlandi V. Novak, Antje Arnold, Charles Eberhart, Eric H. Raabe. Combination therapy activating the integrated stress response synergistically suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5227.

To compare standard heparin (SH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in terms of anticoagulation, platelet activation and lipid metabolism, we selected 54 patients who had been on 4-hour hemodialysis three times weekly for at least 12 months, without bleeding disorders or dyslipidemic diseases. 28 were on hemodialysis with Polysulfone low-flux, 26 were on hemodiafiltration with Polysulfone high-flux. All patients underwent EPO.During the first 18 months, we administered SH 1,500 IU on starting dialysis and 1,500 +/- 500 IU in continuous intradialytic infusion per session. In the following 18 months, we administered LMWH 64.6 IU/kg on starting dialysis in a single arterious bolus. We assessed aPTT, anti-factor Xa activity, TAT and FPA, beta-TG and PF4. Blood samples were taken monthly at times 0, 30, 60, 180 and 240 min, as well as 1, 4 and 20 h after dialysis end. Predialysis cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a) were checked monthly.During both LMWH and SH sessions no clotting or major bleeding complications were observed. APTT with LMWH was lower than that found with SH (p0.001); aFXa using LMWH was higher than when using SH (p0.001); TAT and FPA were lower in LMWH sessions (p0.01) than in SH sessions. We also detected lower beta-TG (p0.05) and PF4 levels (p0.05) using LMWH than using SH. As regards lipids, we only observed a significant decrease in triglycerides after 18 months of LMWH treatment.Routine use of LMWH during hemodialysis affords a safe and effective alternative to SH, and causes reduced platelet activation.

Plastic debris is thought to be widespread in freshwater ecosystems globally1. However, a lack of comprehensive and comparable data makes rigorous assessment of its distribution challenging2,3. Here we present a standardized cross-national survey that assesses the abundance and type of plastic debris (>250 μm) in freshwater ecosystems. We sample surface waters of 38 lakes and reservoirs, distributed across gradients of geographical position and limnological attributes, with the aim to identify factors associated with an increased observation of plastics. We find plastic debris in all studied lakes and reservoirs, suggesting that these ecosystems play a key role in the plastic-pollution cycle. Our results indicate that two types of lakes are particularly vulnerable to plastic contamination: lakes and reservoirs in densely populated and urbanized areas and large lakes and reservoirs with elevated deposition areas, long water-retention times and high levels of anthropogenic influence. Plastic concentrations vary widely among lakes; in the most polluted, concentrations reach or even exceed those reported in the subtropical oceanic gyres, marine areas collecting large amounts of debris4. Our findings highlight the importance of including lakes and reservoirs when addressing plastic pollution, in the context of pollution management and for the continued provision of lake ecosystem services.

The surgical challenge of the treatment of tuberculum (TSMs) and diaphragma sellae meningiomas (DSMs) is to preserve or improve the visual function. Extradural and intradural optic nerve decompression should reduce surgical trauma of the nerve achieving a good visual result.We reported 37 consecutive TSMs and DSMs operated through fronto-temporo-orbito-zygomatic approach with extradural unroofing of the optical canal and early intradural incision of the dural sheath. Visual data were recorded measuring the visual impairment score (VIS), the visual acuity (VA), the visual field (VF) and the postoperative improvement.A good visual outcome (VIS improved or unchanged) was obtained in 97.2% of patients (35/36). The evaluation of 72 eyes showed a good outcome (VA and VF unchanged or improved) in 98.6% (71/72 eyes). The degree of preoperative VA and VF impairment was the only factor correlating with the postoperative improvement of VA (P.001 and P=.018) and VF defect (P.001). Worsening of visual function occurred in 1/37 patient (2.7%).Using this surgical technique we achieved a high improvement rate of visual defects and a low frequency of worsening.

A 55-year-old Caucasian man who had received a second kidney graft in July 1993, was switched from cyclosporine to tacrolimus in June 2000 due to deterioration of renal function. Thereafter, he began to complain of muscle cramps in both quadriceps with an increased CPK and EMG findings of polyneuropathy. A muscle biopsy demonstrated acute myositis. Prednisone was administered with amelioration of the patient's symptoms, but with persistently increased CPK and myoglobin levels. In February 2001, mycophenolate mofetil was introduced and tacrolimus tapered to 3 mg daily to seek a toxic role of this immunosuppressant, since there was no other cause of myositis. A sudden decrease in CPK was observed, but the complete normalization took place only after its withdrawal in September 2002. This case represents a tacrolimus-associated myositis.