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The ecological, evolutionary, economic, and cultural importance of algae necessitates a continued integration of phycological research, education, outreach, and engagement. Here, we comment on several topics discussed during a networking workshop—Algae and the Environment—that brought together phycological researchers from a variety of institutions and career stages. We share some of our perspectives on the state of phycology by examining gaps in teaching and research. We identify action areas where we urge the phycological community to prepare itself to embrace the rapidly changing world. We emphasize the need for more trained taxonomists as well as integration with molecular techniques, which may be expensive and complicated but are important. An essential benefit of these integrative studies is the creation of high‐quality algal reference barcoding libraries augmented with morphological, physiological, and ecological data that are important for studies of systematics and crucial for the accuracy of the metabarcoding bioassessment. We highlight different teaching approaches for engaging undergraduate students in algal studies and the importance of algal field courses, forays, and professional phycological societies in supporting the algal training of students, professionals, and citizen scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the patients who were admitted to the Algology polyclinic with pain, focusing on their sociodemographic characteristics, types of pain, and pain management. Materials and Methods: In this study, the pain assessment forms of patients who presented to our Algology polyclinic with pain complaints between January 2022 and December 2022 were examined. The sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, pain properties, and treatments administered were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Within one-year period, a total of 2001 patients have been admitted to our clinic. 75.5% of the patients were between the ages of 15 and 64. The average age of men was found to be significantly lower than the average age of women. 71.7% of the patients were overweight or obese, with obesity being more prevalent in women. Additionally, 69.8% of the patients had at least one comorbidity, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) being the most common. The most common causes of pain were low back pain, neck pain, myofascial pain, and knee pain. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was found to be 6.64. Interventional pain treatment was applied to 53.3% of the patients, with the most common methods were caudal epidural injection, cervical epidural injection, and ozone trigger point injection. Conclusion: Close examination of patients' responses to treatment and knowledge of sociodemographic characteristics are important. In addition to well-planned medical treatment for pain, we believe that interventional pain treatment can alleviate patients' pain, improve their quality of life, and potentially prevent work loss due to chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbaria phycological collections have approximately one million 700 thousand specimens preserved in European herbaria, a significantly lower number when compared to vascular plants, due to factors such as greater sampling difficulty and fewer specialists. Several studies report that coastal systems have undergone dramatic ecological changes in the last 150 years, with macroalgae being a particularly affected group. Thus, macroalgal herbaria are essential sources for the study and conservation of this biodiversity, as well as a pillar that responds to several ecological questions. Despite having a large coastline, Portugal's phycological collections are scarce, poorly developed, and practically inaccessible digitally. In 2021/2022, all the phycological specimens present at LISI were the focus of this exploratory project whose objective was to catalog them, taxonomically review the specimens and place them at the service of the scientific community through the incorporation of digitized vouchers into online databases. Three marine collections were constituted and studied, accounting for a total of 852 vouchers and more than 1800 specimens, being the Portuguese Marine Macroalgae Collection, the oldest digitized phycological collection available in Portugal. This project provides an opportunity for other educational institutions to embrace their long-neglected collections as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cryptogenic nuisance alga Chondria tumulosa was first observed in 2016 at Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It has since spread across the atoll, growing in thick mats and smothering benthic habitat. In September 2021 the species was observed at Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll), ~130 km to the northwest. Due to its growth habit and recent spread, considerable concern has been raised and management of the species may be warranted. We used publicly available oceanographic data and the Connectivity Modeling System software to assess how the potential for successful dispersal of C. tumulosa is affected by particle properties and oceanographic conditions. We found the likelihood of successful transit to be linked to particle density, oceanographic conditions at the time of release, and release location. Further modeling explicitly targeted the capacity of both reproductive tetraspores as well as drifting fragments to disperse. Model results indicated tetraspores of C. tumulosa are unlikely to survive the transit from Manawai to Kuaihelani, as none arrived at Kuaihelani above the depth limit of the species and those arriving below successfully settled at a rate of only 0.02%. In contrast, fragments modeled as rafting on marine flotsam such as macroalgae and marine debris settled at a rate of 3.85%. Rafting fragments also settled ~600 km further to the southeast (towards the Main Hawaiian Islands) than tetraspores. This study identified oceanographic conditions and particle properties likely to aid dispersal of C. tumulosa to Kuaihelani and suggests that fragments rafting on marine flotsam may accelerate its spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anthropocene has driven a transformative era where human activities exert unprecedented influence on Earth's biosphere. Consequently, synanthropic organisms, adept at thriving in human‐modified environments, have emerged. While well studied in terrestrial ecosystems, the presence and ecological importance of synanthropic species in aquatic ecosystems, specifically among cyanobacteria, are less understood. Cyanobacteria blooms, notorious for their detrimental effects on ecosystems and human health, are increasing in frequency and intensity globally. In this perspective, we explore the evidence supporting this rise of cyanobacteria blooms, emphasizing the roles of human‐induced eutrophication and climate change on select cyanobacteria genera. Cyanobacteria are not a monolith, with certain genera showing an observable increase within anthropogenically modified environments. We propose the establishment of a new sub‐branch of phycology that explicitly investigates the ecology and physiology of synanthropic cyanobacteria. Understanding the intricate interactions between synanthropic species and human populations is imperative for managing human‐altered ecosystems and conserving freshwater resources, particularly in the face of increasing global water insecurity. Practitioner Points: The rise in cyanobacteria blooms is driven by a small subset of human‐adapted genera—synanthropic cyanobacteria.Research is needed to characterize synanthropic cyanobacteria, which will aid in developing tailored management approaches.A paradigm shift from domesticating to "rewilding" landscapes and modifying behaviors to facilitate cohabitation are solutions to reducing risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms originating from the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, along with gene prediction and functional annotation for MAGs from both domains. Eleven samples from the chlorophyll-a maximum layer of the surface ocean were collected during two cruises in 2012; six from the Arctic in June-July on ARK-XXVII/1 (PS80), and five from the Atlantic in November on ANT-XXIX/1 (PS81). Sequencing and assembly was carried out by the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), who provide annotation of the assembled sequences, and 122 MAGs for prokaryotic organisms. A subsequent binning process identified 21 MAGs for eukaryotic organisms, mostly identified as Mamiellophyceae or Bacillariophyceae. The data for each MAG includes sequences in FASTA format, and tables of functional annotation of genes. For eukaryotic MAGs, transcript and protein sequences for predicted genes are available. A spreadsheet is provided summarising quality measures and taxonomic classifications for each MAG. These data provide draft genomes for uncultured marine microbes, including some of the first MAGs for polar eukaryotes, and can provide reference genetic data for these environments, or used in genomics-based comparison between environments.

Plant hormones and pheromones are natural compounds involved in the growth, development, and reproductive processes. There is a plethora of studies on hormones and pheromones in terrestrial plants, but such investigations are few in the phycological literature. There are striking similarities between the chemical diversity, biosynthetic processes, roles, and actions of hormones and pheromones in both higher angiospermic plants and algae. However, there are substantial knowledge gaps in understanding the genes responsible for hormone biosynthesis and regulation in algae. Efforts have focused on identifying the genes and proteins involved in these processes, shedding light on lateral gene transfer and evolutionary outcomes. This comprehensive review contributes to benchmarking data and essential biotechnological tools, particularly for the aquaculture industry where seaweed is economically crucial. Advanced techniques in plant hormones and pheromones can revolutionize commercial aquaculture by using synthetic analogs to enhance growth, yield, and reproductive control, thereby addressing seasonal limitations and enabling sustainable seedling production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review that focuses on biosynthetic pathways and modes of action (of five plant hormones and five pheromones), roles (of 11 hormones and 29 pheromones), and extraction protocols (of four hormones and six pheromones) reported in the phycological domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant hormones and pheromones are natural compounds involved in the growth, development, and reproductive processes. There is a plethora of studies on hormones and pheromones in terrestrial plants, but such investigations are few in the phycological literature. There are striking similarities between the chemical diversity, biosynthetic processes, roles, and actions of hormones and pheromones in both higher angiospermic plants and algae. However, there are substantial knowledge gaps in understanding the genes responsible for hormone biosynthesis and regulation in algae. Efforts have focused on identifying the genes and proteins involved in these processes, shedding light on lateral gene transfer and evolutionary outcomes. This comprehensive review contributes to benchmarking data and essential biotechnological tools, particularly for the aquaculture industry where seaweed is economically crucial. Advanced techniques in plant hormones and pheromones can revolutionize commercial aquaculture by using synthetic analogs to enhance growth, yield, and reproductive control, thereby addressing seasonal limitations and enabling sustainable seedling production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review that focuses on biosynthetic pathways and modes of action (of five plant hormones and five pheromones), roles (of 11 hormones and 29 pheromones), and extraction protocols (of four hormones and six pheromones) reported in the phycological domain.

This paper introduces and summarises the main outcomes of the 19th workshop of the International Association for Phytoplankton Taxonomy and Ecology held in Tiszafüred, Hungary, Tisza Balneum Hotel, from 23 to 30 September 2022. The selected theme of the workshop was "Trait-Based Approaches in Micro-Algal Ecology". The discussions presented during the workshop sessions resulted in the 18 articles contained in this Special Issue. There are 6 main thematic aspects developed by the participants: 1. Shape and size: are these traits easy to measure? 2. Spatial scales: when and where to look for microalgae? 3. Climate and extremes of ecological gradients: hot topics of this century. 4. Metaphyton and metaphytic habitats: life beyond plankton and benthos. 5. Microalgae in water management: phycology in practice. 6. Traditional and new methods: perspectives and comments. Trait-based approaches in microalgae ecology, although requiring further investigation and methodological development, represent a valid tool for refining the analysis of environmental variability in aquatic ecosystems. The papers presented in this Special Issue demonstrate that these approaches are extremely useful not only in the study of planktic algae but constitute a thoughtful method for the analysis of benthic and metaphytic microalgae in a wide variety of aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicellularity evolved multiple times in the history of life, with most reviewers agreeing that it appeared at least 20 times in eukaryotes. However, a specific list of multicellular eukaryotes with clear criteria for inclusion has not yet been published. Herein, an updated critical review of eukaryotic multicellularity is presented, based on current understanding of eukaryotic phylogeny and new discoveries in microbiology, phycology and mycology. As a result, 45 independent multicellular lineages are identified that fall into six distinct types. Functional criteria, as distinct from a purely topological definition of a cell, are introduced to bring uniformity and clarity to the existing definitions of terms such as colony, multicellularity, thallus or plasmodium. The category of clonal multicellularity is expanded to include: (i) septated multinucleated thalli found in Pseudofungi and early‐branching Fungi such as Chytridiomycota and Blastocladiomycota; and (ii) multicellular reproductive structures formed by plasmotomy in intracellular parasites such as Phytomyxea. Furthermore, (iii) endogeneous budding, as found in Paramyxida, is described as a form of multicellularity. The best‐known case of clonal multicellularity, i.e. (iv) non‐separation of cells after cell division, as known from Metazoa and Ochrophyta, is also discussed. The category of aggregative multicellularity is expanded to include not only (v) pseudoplasmodial forms, such a sorocarp‐forming Acrasida, but also (vi) meroplasmodial organisms, such as members of Variosea or Filoreta. A common set of topological, geometric, genetic and life‐cycle criteria are presented that form a coherent, philosophically sound framework for discussing multicellularity. A possibility of a seventh type of multicellularity is discussed, that of multi‐species superorganisms formed by protists with obligatory bacterial symbionts, such as some members of Oxymonada or Parabasalia. Its inclusion is dependent on the philosophical stance taken towards the concepts of individuality and organism in biology. Taxa that merit special attention are identified, such as colonial Centrohelea, and a new speculative form of multicellularity, possibly present in some reticulopodial amoebae, is briefly described. Because of insufficient phylogenetic and morphological data, not all lineages could be unequivocally identified, and the true total number of all multicellular eukaryotic lineages is therefore higher, likely close to a hundred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbaria phycological collections have approximately one million 700 thousand specimens preserved in European herbaria, a significantly lower number when compared to vascular plants, due to factors such as greater sampling difficulty and fewer specialists. Several studies report that coastal systems have undergone dramatic ecological changes in the last 150 years, with macroalgae being a particularly affected group. Thus, macroalgal herbaria are essential sources for the study and conservation of this biodiversity, as well as a pillar that responds to several ecological questions. Despite having a large coastline, Portugal’s phycological collections are scarce, poorly developed, and practically inaccessible digitally. In 2021/2022, all the phycological specimens present at LISI were the focus of this exploratory project whose objective was to catalog them, taxonomically review the specimens and place them at the service of the scientific community through the incorporation of digitized vouchers into online databases. Three marine collections were constituted and studied, accounting for a total of 852 vouchers and more than 1800 specimens, being the Portuguese Marine Macroalgae Collection, the oldest digitized phycological collection available in Portugal. This project provides an opportunity for other educational institutions to embrace their long-neglected collections as well.

Regulation of tissue water potential is a key mechanism in macroalgal osmotic responses to changing external osmotic conditions, which are common in tidally influenced estuarine and intertidal systems. Nevertheless, significant knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of osmotic responses in macroalgae because few methods measure osmotic potential within macroalgal tissues. Leaf psychrometers have furthered understanding of osmotic potentials in terrestrial plant water relations, yet these have not been developed to measure the range of highly negative potential values found in marine macroalgae. To address these gaps, we present an effective, updated version of the Chardakov method to measure tissue water potential in macroalgae. Here, we present a case study examining macroalgal response in tissue water potential by two morphologically and evolutionarily distinct species, Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) and Hypnea musciformis (Rhodophyta) to four paired salinity and nutrient treatments at two temperatures. These treatments simulate a gradient from full coastal ocean conditions to brackish submarine groundwater discharge, an ecosystem type found on basaltic shorelines. Both algae demonstrated plasticity in osmotic response to submarine groundwater discharge with significant positive correlations between tissue water potential and proportion of submarine groundwater discharge in the treatment. These results are the first to describe macroalgal response in tissue water potential, a first step to understanding algal physiological ecology in such complex coastal environments. This revised Chardakov method is a valuable tool to better understand species-specific osmotic responses to ecologically relevant conditions, and can augment the study of other tidal systems and ontogenetic stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text presents the notion of anthropological algology as an integrative discipline for approaching diagnosis and treatment of pain, particularly in its chronic forms and considering its expressive and affective dimensions. The challenge for the helping professions and health institutions demands a bioethical stance base don dialogue and deliberation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kelp forests worldwide are threatened by both climate change and localized anthropogenic impacts. Species with cold‐temperate, subpolar, or polar distributions are projected to experience range contractions over the coming decades, which may be exacerbated by climatic events such as marine heatwaves and increased freshwater and sediment input from rapidly contracting glaciers. The northeast Pacific has an extensive history of harvesting and cultivating kelps for subsistence, commercial, and other uses, and, therefore, declines in kelp abundance and distributional shifts will have significant impacts on this region. Gaps in our understanding of how cold‐temperate kelp species respond to climate stressors have limited our ability to forecast the status of kelp forests in future oceans, which hampers conservation and management efforts. Here, we conducted a structured literature review to provide a synthesis of the impacts of multiple climate‐related stressors on kelp forests in the northeast Pacific, assess existing knowledge gaps, and suggest potential research priorities. We chose to focus on temperature, salinity, sediment load, and light as the stressors most likely to vary and impact kelps as climate change progresses. Our results revealed biases in the existing literature toward studies investigating the impacts of temperature, or temperature in combination with light. Other stressors, particularly salinity and sediment load, have received much less focus despite rapidly changing conditions in high‐latitude regions. Furthermore, multiple stressor studies appear to focus on kelp sporophytes, and it is necessary that we improve our understanding of how kelp microstages will be affected by stressor combinations. Finally, studies that investigate the potential of experimental transplantation or selective cultivation of genotypes resilient to environmental changes are lacking and would be useful for the conservation of wild populations and the seaweed aquaculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Kelp forests worldwide are threatened by both climate change and localized anthropogenic impacts. Species with cold‐temperate, subpolar, or polar distributions are projected to experience range contractions over the coming decades, which may be exacerbated by climatic events such as marine heatwaves and increased freshwater and sediment input from rapidly contracting glaciers. The northeast Pacific has an extensive history of harvesting and cultivating kelps for subsistence, commercial, and other uses, and, therefore, declines in kelp abundance and distributional shifts will have significant impacts on this region. Gaps in our understanding of how cold‐temperate kelp species respond to climate stressors have limited our ability to forecast the status of kelp forests in future oceans, which hampers conservation and management efforts. Here, we conducted a structured literature review to provide a synthesis of the impacts of multiple climate‐related stressors on kelp forests in the northeast Pacific, assess existing knowledge gaps, and suggest potential research priorities. We chose to focus on temperature, salinity, sediment load, and light as the stressors most likely to vary and impact kelps as climate change progresses. Our results revealed biases in the existing literature toward studies investigating the impacts of temperature, or temperature in combination with light. Other stressors, particularly salinity and sediment load, have received much less focus despite rapidly changing conditions in high‐latitude regions. Furthermore, multiple stressor studies appear to focus on kelp sporophytes, and it is necessary that we improve our understanding of how kelp microstages will be affected by stressor combinations. Finally, studies that investigate the potential of experimental transplantation or selective cultivation of genotypes resilient to environmental changes are lacking and would be useful for the conservation of wild populations and the seaweed aquaculture industry.

This article presents metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms originating from the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, along with gene prediction and functional annotation for MAGs from both domains. Eleven samples from the chlorophyll-a maximum layer of the surface ocean were collected during two cruises in 2012; six from the Arctic in June-July on ARK-XXVII/1 (PS80), and five from the Atlantic in November on ANT-XXIX/1 (PS81). Sequencing and assembly was carried out by the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), who provide annotation of the assembled sequences, and 122 MAGs for prokaryotic organisms. A subsequent binning process identified 21 MAGs for eukaryotic organisms, mostly identified as Mamiellophyceae or Bacillariophyceae. The data for each MAG includes sequences in FASTA format, and tables of functional annotation of genes. For eukaryotic MAGs, transcript and protein sequences for predicted genes are available. A spreadsheet is provided summarising quality measures and taxonomic classifications for each MAG. These data provide draft genomes for uncultured marine microbes, including some of the first MAGs for polar eukaryotes, and can provide reference genetic data for these environments, or used in genomics-based comparison between environments.

Freshwater cyanobacterial harmful algae blooms (cHABs) are a major threat to human and environmental health and are increasing globally in frequency and severity. To manage this threat in a timely manner, science must focus on increasing our ability to predict the growth and toxigenicity of specific taxa of cyanobacteria.Recent molecular research has revealed striking genomic and metabolic diversity among the many morphologically indistinguishable sub‐species and strains of cyanobacteria. Assemblage‐level molecular metabolic capability surveys promise to improve our ability to predict cyanobacterial responses to environmental forcing, but many of these cutting‐edge techniques are not widely available or cost‐effective enough to be employed in routine monitoring programmes to support management decisions. Taxonomic ambiguity, cryptic functional specialisation, incongruence between genomic capability and phylogeny, and genomic flexibility impose severe challenges to our ability to ascribe autecological attributes at a level of taxonomic resolution that is attainable under current management strategies (i.e. Linnaean species). This lack of knowledge prohibits reliable predictions of species' responses to environmental stressors.Cyanobacterial species comprise consortia of metabolically diverse, morphologically indistinct strains that span a range of ecological specialisation. Under current, broadly applied taxonomic concepts, these species functionally embody a generalist ecological strategy—persisting and/or proliferating where other specialised competitors are negatively impacted.We postulate that within current management frameworks, characterising of cyanobacterial species as competing generalists, as well as considering abundance trajectories of well‐characterised, non‐cyanobacterial specialist phytoplankton will generate more scalable, mechanistic, and management‐relevant insight into increasing cHAB frequency and severity in suitable time frames.Here we recommend that cHAB management considers the competitive framework of phytoplankton communities, including cyanobacteria, wherein diverse environmental changes lead to deterministic responses by readily identifiable, documented specialist taxa. Characterising these changes in community structure will quantify the relative importance of altered stressors and resource availability that can be exploited by metabolically flexible cyanobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we aimed to measure the adequacy of facet joint block injections for pain relief during the 2-year follow-up and evaluate the follow-up results of patients who were candidates for facet joint block injection. Methods: This study included 243 patients who administered facet joint block injections in our clinic between 2018 and 2020. Their medical records created over 2 years were examined. We evaluated the demographic features of patients, the need for an additional facet joint block injection, the need for additional surgery, the reason for the additional surgery or the blockage procedure, and the interval between the first interventional procedure and surgery, as well as additional interventional procedures and the need for additional treatment from the physical therapy, algology, or orthopedics departments. Results: Of the patients included in the study, 93 were male and 150 were female (mean age: 54.55 years, range: 16-90 years). Of them, 62.5% experienced pain palliation after the first facet block injection intervention; 5.7% improved after the first procedure, but the procedure had to be repeated between mean 8.4 months; and 11.4% underwent decompression and instrumentation surgery between 1 and 24 months. Those who did not benefit from the procedure continued to receive treatment in the physical therapy department (14.7%), algology department (0.8%), and the orthopedics department (5.7%) after the procedure. Conclusion: Facet joint block injection is a treatment method with high a success rates because it is less invasive compared to surgical methods for pain associated with the facet joint and eliminates the need for long-term treatment with other branches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While women's participation at research stations has been celebrated as a success story for women in science, their experiences were not quite equal to that of men scientists. This article shows how women interested in practicing marine science at research institutions experienced different living and research environments than their male peers; moreover, it illustrates how those gendered experiences reflected and informed the nature of their scientific practices and ideas. Set in Roscoff, France, this article excavates the work and social worlds of a Russian scientist, Natalie Karsakoff (1863–1941), and a British émigré in France, Anna Vickers (1853–1906), to show how a small group of single women who studied algae created a "central bureau of feminine algology." The social aspects of this bureau, and the physical space and support funded by Vickers, allowed these women scientists to both participate in male-dominated practices of science and lend evidentiary support to an ecological category that emphasized benign coexistence rather than struggle. This study adds an empirical case of single women scientists managing successful careers in science and contributing to science through publication and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We present a checklist with 23 taxa of the benthic phycological flora on three beaches on the northeast coast of Pará state, in the Brazilian Amazon, a rarely surveyed area for algae. Collections were made on substrates like rocky outcrops at Salinópolis municipality, and on trunks, branches and pneumatophores of Laguncularia racemosa and artificial substrates at Marapanim municipality. Despite the limited geographic scale of the sampling, we provide ten new citations for the benthic, marine and estuarine algal taxa of the Pará state coast: six Chlorophyta (Bryopsis pennata, Cladophora coelothrix, C. conferta, Gayralia brasiliensis, Pseudorhizoclonium africanum and Ulva chaetomorphoides), two Rhodophyta (Caloglossa confusa, Centroceras gasparrinii), one Ochrophyta (Bachelotia antillarum) and one Cyanophyta (Coleofasciculus chthonoplastes).

It is one hundred years since 'the late G.I. Playfair, Australia's foremost student of freshwater algae' died, in Tauranga, New Zealand, but the value of his collection, and descriptions of many freshwater photosynthetic organisms from New South Wales, is current and growing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of patients who underwent Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) in our clinic. In this study, records of 16 patients who underwent SCS in the Algology and Neurosurgery Clinic of the Ministry of Health, Health Sciences University, Samsun Training and Research Hospital between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. The pain levels of the patients before and after the procedure were evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The mean age of the patients was 54.25 ± 11.45 years. After the SCS procedure, it was found that pain levels determined by the VAS decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Eleven (68.7%) patients reported that they were quite satisfied or partially satisfied after SCS, and seven patients (43.8%) underwent revision due to hardware malfunctions and postsurgical complications. Based on our study results, we believe that SCS is an effective treatment method that can be used to reduce pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptophytes are one of the major groups of the green lineage (Chloroplastida or Viridiplantae). During one billion years of evolution, streptophytes have radiated into an astounding diversity of uni- and multicellular green algae as well as land plants. Most divergent from land plants is a clade formed by Mesostigmatophyceae, Spirotaenia spp. and Chlorokybophyceae. All three lineages are species-poor and the Chlorokybophyceae consist of a single described species, Chlorokybus atmophyticus. In this study, we used phylogenomic analyses to shed light into the diversity within Chlorokybus using a sampling of isolates across its known distribution. We uncovered a consistent deep genetic structure within the Chlorokybus isolates, which prompted us to formally extend the Chlorokybophyceae by describing four new species. Gene expression differences among Chlorokybus species suggest certain constitutive variability that might influence their response to environmental factors. Failure to account for this diversity can hamper comparative genomic studies aiming to understand the evolution of stress response across streptophytes. Our data highlight that future studies on the evolution of plant form and function can tap into an unknown diversity at key deep branches of the streptophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an erratum that corrects an error in the new combination of Carolibrandtia antarctica. The error involved mistakenly citing figs 2-6 from Fritsch (1912) as the holotype, along with some inaccuracies in the literature citations. The corrections were published in Notulae Algarum. The document is published by the Korean Society of Phycology. [Extracted from the article]

Recently some researchers have gathered around the claim that the likelihood for terraformation of Mars is slim, either because human technology is not up to the task, or the planet does not posses all the necessary resources to allow the process to be completed successfully. This manuscript takes a closer look both at the latest and previous scientific articles, optimistic and skeptical, while trying to reassess the terraforming potential of the planet. To achieve that, we summarized results from different experiments conducted with algae and higher plants. According to our reevaluation, it is concluded that even if the skeptical papers are right, and the others are overly optimistic, partial terraformation of Mars is still possible. It is also suggested that terraforming the planet partially could be a good option if we want to protect the local organisms, assuming that they exist.

PREMISE: The resistance of macroalgae to hydrodynamic forces imposed by ambient water motion depends in part on the mechanical properties of their tissues. In wave‐swept habitats, tissues are stretched (strained) at different rates as hydrodynamic forces change. Previous studies of mechanical properties of macroalgal tissues have used either a single strain rate or a small range of strain rates. Therefore, our knowledge of the mechanical properties of macroalgae is limited to a narrow fraction of the strain rates that can occur in nature. In addition, although mechanical properties of macroalgal tissues change with age, the effect of age on the strain‐rate dependence of their mechanical behavior has not been documented. METHODS: Using the kelp Egregia menziesii, we measured how high strain rate (simulating wave impingement) and low strain rate (simulating wave surge) affected mechanical properties of frond tissues of various ages. RESULTS: Stiffness of tissues of all ages increased with strain rate, whereas extensibility was unaffected. Strength and toughness increased with strain rate for young tissue but were unaffected by strain rate for old tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Young tissue is weaker than old tissue and, therefore, the most susceptible to breakage from hydrodynamic forces. The increased strength of young tissue at high strain rates can help the frond resist breaking when pulled rapidly during wave impingement, when hydrodynamic forces are largest. Because breakage of young tissue can remove a frond's meristem and negatively impact the survival of the whole kelp, strain‐rate dependence of the young tissue's strength can enhance kelp's survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing up under the regime of a macho Italian father and with a legacy of family abuse, I was a sensitive, creative boy who felt deeply ashamed of my perceived male inadequacies and afraid of my own masculine power. My early fascination with nature found a home in phycology, the study of algae, but to uncover and own my passion for and divine connection to the natural world through algae, I first had to expose my childhood wounds, address the forbidden world of my own trauma, and face the ancestral wound that kept me from fully embracing my true love of algae and self. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stellate ganglion block is used as an adjunctive therapy method in various painful situations mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, especially complex regional pain syndrome. The process after medical and stellate ganglion block treatment in a 66-year-old female patient diagnosed with hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, Raynaud phenomenon, who presented to our algology outpatient clinic for complaints of bruising and severe pain at the fingertip, is presented with literature information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botany, cyanobacteria, endosymbiosis, horizontal inheritance, lateral gene transfer, oxygenic photosynthesis, phototrophy, phycology, plastid evolution Origin and evolution of plastids and photosynthesis in eukaryotes. Keywords: botany; cyanobacteria; endosymbiosis; horizontal inheritance; lateral gene transfer; oxygenic photosynthesis; phototrophy; phycology; plastid evolution EN botany cyanobacteria endosymbiosis horizontal inheritance lateral gene transfer oxygenic photosynthesis phototrophy phycology plastid evolution 363 365 3 03/31/22 20220301 NES 220301 Biology is replete with terminology that is sometimes excessive. Several dinoflagellate genera have more recently reacquired and integrated plastids of haptophyte (Karenia, Karlodinium), green algal (Lepidodinium) or diatom origin (Durinskia, Kryptoperidinium) by means of endosymbiosis or predation/kleptoplasty. [Extracted from the article]

Lichens are remarkable and classic examples of symbiotic organisms that have fascinated scientists for centuries. Yet, it has only been for a couple of decades that significant advances have focused on the diversity of their green algal and/or cyanobacterial photobionts. Cyanolichens, which contain cyanobacteria as their photosynthetic partner, include up to 10% of all known lichens and, as such, studies on their cyanobionts are much rarer compared to their green algal counterparts. For the unicellular cyanobionts, i.e. cyanobacteria that do not form filaments, these studies are even scarcer. Nonetheless, these currently include at least 10 different genera in the cosmopolitan lichen order Lichinales. An international consortium (International Network of CyanoBionts; INCb) will tackle this lack of knowledge. In this article, we discuss the status of current unicellular cyanobiont research, compare the taxonomic resolution of photobionts from cyanolichens with those of green algal lichens (chlorolichens), and give a roadmap of research on how to recondition the underestimated fraction of symbiotic unicellular cyanobacteria in lichens., Competing Interests: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Society for Microbial Ecology.)

Species concepts formalize evolutionary and ecological processes, but often conflict with one another when considering the mechanisms that ultimately lead to species delimitation. Evolutionary biologists are, however, recognizing that the conceptualization of a species is separate and distinct from the delimitation of species. Indeed, if species are generally defined as separately evolving metapopulation lineages, then characteristics, such as reproductive isolation or monophyly, can be used as evidence of lineage separation and no longer conflict with the conceptualization of a species. However, little of this discussion has addressed the formalization of this evolutionary conceptual framework for macroalgal species. This may be due to the complexity and variation found in macroalgal life cycles. While macroalgal mating system variation and patterns of hybridization and introgression have been identified, complex algal life cycles generate unique eco‐evolutionary consequences. Moreover, the discovery of frequent macroalgal cryptic speciation has not been accompanied by the study of the evolutionary ecology of those lineages, and, thus, an understanding of the mechanisms underlying such rampant speciation remain elusive. In this perspective, we aim to further the discussion and interest in species concepts and speciation processes in macroalgae. We propose a conceptual framework to enable phycological researchers and students alike to portray these processes in a manner consistent with dialogue at the forefront of evolutionary biology. We define a macroalgal species as an independently evolving metapopulation lineage, whereby we can test for reproductive isolation or the occupation of distinct adaptive zones, among other mechanisms, as secondary lines of supporting evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical environments comprise some of the largest megadiverse centres on earth, and yet, even in the face of rapid biodiversity loss, a lack of knowledge of such areas prevails today. Paraguay is a landlocked, tropical country, which still holds enormous forested areas despite intense degradation. The country shows enormous potential algal biodiversity. We searched published records of algal species within Paraguay, checked their taxonomic status, and provided their locations, resulting in a thorough list of the algae known to date in Paraguay. Only 33 articles were published between 1897 and 2020. From the early 20th century and until the late 1970s, there were few publications on algae, and most studies were conducted within the last 7 years. We compiled records of 893 species from 54 orders and 10 phyla. Only freshwater algal records were found; none were terrestrial or from brackish lagoons. Most species belong to Charophyta, Chlorophyta, and Bacillariophyta. The Lower Paraguay basin showed the highest number of records, i.e. 564 species, 309 not found in any other basin in Paraguay. The highest number of algal records are from the Humid Chaco ecoregion, with 610 species, 343 of which did not occur in any other ecoregion of the country. Our results indicate that Paraguay requires extensive research and human resource training programs in phycology. Because of its threatened status, we consider the Dry Chaco to be the most important area where research should be intensified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to compile a catalogue of phyclogical papers from Bosnia and Herzegovina published during the period 1894-2019. In addition to the catalogue, another specific goal is setting up an electronic database of the above-mentioned scientific papers. A total of 76 original scientific papers in the field of phycology were published during the mentioned period. The intended database will greately help future research into cyanobacteria and algae in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as not only the protection of different groups of algae but also of their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Schulte, N. O., Khan, A. L., Smith, E. W., Zoumplis, A., Kaul, D., Allen, A. E., Adams, B. J., & McKnight, D. M. (2022). Blowin' in the wind: Dispersal, structure, and metacommunity dynamics of Aeolian diatoms in the McMurdo Sound region, Antarctica. Journal of Phycology, 58(1), 36–54.GRAPHGRAPHGRAPHGRAPHPictured: Angela Zoumplis, Drishti Kaul, Byron Adams, Diane McKnightNot pictured: Nicholas Schulte, Alia Khan, Emma Smith, Andrew Allen [Extracted from the article]

Background Chlorophyceae is one of three most species-rich green algal classes and also the only class in core Chlorophyta whose monophyly remains uncontested as gene and taxon sampling improves. However, some key relationships within Chlorophyceae are less clear-cut and warrant further investigation. The present study combined genome-scale chloroplast data and rich sampling in an attempt to resolve the ordinal classification in Chlorophyceae. The traditional division into Sphaeropleales and Volvocales (SV), and a clade containing Oedogoniales, Chaetopeltidales, and Chaetophorales (OCC) was of particular interest with the addition of deeply branching members of these groups, as well as the placement of several incertae sedis taxa. Methods We sequenced 18 chloroplast genomes across Chlorophyceae to compile a data set of 58 protein-coding genes of a total of 68 chlorophycean taxa. We analyzed the concatenated nucleotide and amino acid datasets in the Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood frameworks, supplemented by analyses to examine potential discordant signal among genes. We also examined gene presence and absence data across Chlorophyceae. Results Concatenated analyses yielded at least two well-supported phylogenies: nucleotide data supported the traditional classification with the inclusion of the enigmatic Treubarinia into Sphaeropleales sensu lato. However, amino acid data yielded equally strong support for Sphaeropleaceae as sister to Volvocales, with the rest of the taxa traditionally classified in Sphaeropleales in a separate clade, and Treubarinia as sister to all of the above. Single-gene and other supplementary analyses indicated that the data have low phylogenetic signal at these critical nodes. Major clades were supported by genomic structural features such as gene losses and trans-spliced intron insertions in the plastome. Discussion While the sequence and gene order data support the deep split between the SV and OCC lineages, multiple phylogenetic hypotheses are possible for Sphaeropleales s.l. Given this uncertainty as well as the higher-taxonomic disorder seen in other algal groups, dwelling on well-defined, strongly supported Linnaean orders is not currently practical in Chlorophyceae and a less formal clade system may be more useful in the foreseeable future. For example, we identify two strongly and unequivocally supported clades: Treubarinia and Scenedesminia, as well as other smaller groups that could serve a practical purpose as named clades. This system does not preclude future establishment of new orders, or emendment of the current ordinal classification if new data support such conclusions.