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In early 2021, the Erasmus+ knowledge flows partnership organised a session to discuss the future of marine spatial planning (MSP) at an international conference. We, a group of nine early career researchers, came together after the conference to continue the discussion: which topics should be considered in future MSP, what are the challenges, and which solutions are there to overcome these challenges? This communication shall raise awareness of the topics of climate change, ecological sustainability, blue justice, ecosystem services, and blue governance, which we identified as important for future MSP endeavours. We show the interconnectedness of the topics and argue that transdisciplinary education is required to contribute to a common understanding of MSP, which adopts an ecosystem-based approach, ensures equitable distribution of benefits, and secures ecologically sustainable development within an adaptive governance framework.

Pollinator-driven evolution of floral traits is thought to be a major driver of angiosperm speciation and diversification. Ophrys orchids mimic female insects to lure male pollinators into pseudocopulation. This strategy, called sexual deception, is species-specific, thereby providing strong premating reproductive isolation. Identifying the genomic architecture underlying pollinator adaptation and speciation may shed light on the mechanisms of angiosperm diversification. Here, we report the 5.2 Gb chromosome-scale genome sequence of Ophrys sphegodes . We find evidence for transposable element expansion that preceded the radiation of the O. sphegodes group, and for gene duplication having contributed to the evolution of chemical mimicry. We report a highly differentiated genomic candidate region for pollinator-mediated evolution on chromosome 2. The Ophrys genome will prove useful for investigations into the repeated evolution of sexual deception, pollinator adaptation and the genomic architectures that facilitate evolutionary radiations. Pollinator-driven evolution of floral traits is thought to be a major driver of angiosperm speciation and diversification. Here, the authors assemble the chromosome-scale genome of the sexually deceptive orchid Ophrys sphegodes and reveal insights into sexual deception and pollinator adaptation.

Planning of marine areas has spread widely over the past two decades to support sustainable ocean management and governance. However, to succeed in a changing ocean, marine spatial planning (MSP) must be ‘climate-smart’— integrating climate-related knowledge, being flexible to changing conditions, and supporting climate actions. While the need for climate-smart MSP has been globally recognized, at a practical level, marine managers and planners require further guidance on how to put it into action. Here, we suggest ten key components that, if well-integrated, would promote the development and implementation of sustainable, equitable, climate-smart MSP initiatives around the globe.

Durante o último meio século, a pressão das acções humanas no oceano tem sido substancial, resultando num aumento significativo de impactos cumulativos sobre os ecossistemas marinhos e costeiros, dos quais dependem tanto a manutenção de um bom estado ambiental como o bem-estar das sociedades humanas. Apesar de ser muitas vezes necessário considerar individualmente os impactos de diferentes fatores de pressão, a tomada de decisão relativamente a questões de conservação e de gestão do oceano deve sempre ser realizada através de um prisma de visão integrada e abrangente. A presente dissertação foca-se num factor particular de pressão, as alterações climáticas globais, e num instrumento de gestão em particular, que apresenta um reconhecido potencial para promover o uso e a gestão sustentáveis do oceano, o ordenamento do espaço marinho (OEM). A potencialidade do OEM enquanto instrumento estratégico e operacional para suportar o uso e a gestão sustentável do oceano, em especial o Objetivo de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) 14, “Proteger a Vida Marinha”, da Agenda 2030, é globalmente reconhecida. Atualmente, o OEM está em desenvolvimento em quase 70 países a nível mundial, que correspondem a cerca de metade das nações costeiras, e continua em expansão. No entanto, o OEM enfrenta um conjunto de desafios que podem comprometer a sua eficácia, onde se incluem as alterações climáticas globais - um dos maiores problemas ambientais da atualidade devido à sua capacidade de funcionar como motor de mudança nos sistemas socio-ecológicos do planeta. É necessário integrar o desafio das alterações climáticas no OEM, quer do ponto de vista conceptual quer operacional garantindo uma gestão flexível e dinâmica, que proporcione uma maior capacidade de resposta e de adaptação.O objetivo geral da presente dissertação corresponde à identificação e análise de diferentes abordagens operacionais com potencial para promover a adaptação aos efeitos das alterações climáticas nos processos de OEM. Uma vez identificadas, desenvolveram-se análises SWOT, que permitiram a identificação dos pontos fortes, fracos, oportunidades e ameaças de cada abordagem operacional. Adicionalmente, também foi analisada a relevância para os ODS.Enquanto algumas abordagens como o Adaptive Management ou o Anticipatory Zoning apresentam um maior potencial para facilitar a incorporação de adaptabilidade e flexibilidade do OEM, e dessa forma a implementação dos ODS, outras como o Just-in-case planning ou o Anticipatory Bidding for Future Use Rights, revelam-se pelo contrário menos adequadas.Por último, é necessário considerar que não existe uma solução única, e que a adequação das diferentes abordagens irá variar com o contexto geográfico e as suas caraterísticas ambientais, económicas e sociais.

Interdisciplinary marine research is pivotal for addressing ocean sustainability challenges but may exclude diverse socio-economic, cultural, or identity groups. Drawing on perspectives of marine Early Career Researchers, we highlight the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in advancing interdisciplinary marine science and present ten recommendations to enhance DEI. As our ocean faces increasing threats, fostering DEI within this domain is not merely an aspirational goal but an ethical imperative.

Cerium (Ce) belongs to the rare earth elements (REEs), and although it is not essential for plants, it can stimulate growth and other physiological processes. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of Ce on seed germination, initial seedling growth, and vegetative growth in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Morelos A-98. During the germination process, the seeds were treated with Ce concentrations of 0, 4, 8, and 12 μM; after 5 d, germination percentage was recorded and after 10 d seedling growth was measured. For vegetative growth, a hydroponic system was established where 14-d-old plants without previous Ce treatment were transferred into nutrient solution. After two weeks of acclimatizing, 0, 25, 50, and 100 μM Ce were added to the nutrient solution for 28 d. Ce significantly increased germination and the initial growth variables of the seedlings. During vegetative growth, Ce increased plant height, number of tillers, root volume, and shoot fresh and dry biomass, without affecting root biomass weight. With low Ce concentrations (25 and 50 μM), the concentrations of chlorophylls and amino acids in the shoots were similar to those in the control, like amino acid concentration in the roots at a concentration of 25 μM Ce. Conversely, the concentration of total sugars increased in the shoot with the application of 25, 50, and 100 μM Ce, and in the roots with the application of 50 μM Ce. Also, Ce did not affect the concentration of macro or micronutrients in the shoots. However, in the roots, the high Ce concentration decreased the concentrations of Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn, while the Mg concentration increased. Our results indicate that Ce, at the right concentrations, can function as a biostimulant in rice germination and growth.

Background: Onychomycosis is the most prevalent nail disease, posing a challenge for health professionals in terms of treatment. Conventional topical antifungal treatments can often prove insufficient, and the use of oral antifungal drugs carries a high frequency of adverse events and drug–drug interactions. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to determine the cure rate of onychomycosis using a combined treatment of diode laser and photodynamic therapy with red-laser photodynamic therapy (PDT) and toluidine blue gel. Methods: A series of onychomycosis cases were treated and monitored for 6 months with eight applications of diode laser therapy. This treatment was combined with three applications of red-laser PDT paired with toluidine blue gel. Clinical cure was evaluated one week after the treatment’s conclusion, while mycological cure was assessed via microbiological culture. Results: The study included 12 patients and a total of 17 nails. At the end of treatment, clinical, mycological, and complete cure rates were 100% for all patients and nails. No adverse reactions were reported during or after the PDT application. However, all patients experienced pain during laser application, and two patients experienced hematoma and subungual blistering post-treatment. Two patients (2/12) experienced recurrence in three nails (3/17; recurrence rate: 17.6%) within 6 months following treatment. Conclusions: The combination of diode laser therapy and red-laser PDT with toluidine blue gel seems effective and safe for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe onychomycosis.

MOGHE is defined as mild malformation of cortical development with oligodendroglial hyperplasia in epilepsy. Approximately half of the patients with histopathologically confirmed MOGHE carry a brain somatic variant in the SLC35A2 gene encoding a UDP-galactose transporter. Previous research showed that D-galactose supplementation results in clinical improvement in patients with a congenital disorder of glycosylation due to germline variants in SLC35A2. We aimed to evaluate the effects of D-galactose supplementation in patients with histopathologically confirmed MOGHE, with uncontrolled seizures or cognitive impairment and epileptiform activity at the EEG after epilepsy surgery (NCT04833322). Patients were orally supplemented with D-galactose for 6 months in doses up to 1.5 g/kg/day and monitored for seizure frequency including 24-h video-EEG recording, cognition and behavioral scores, i.e., WISC, BRIEF-2, SNAP-IV, and SCQ, and quality of life measures, before and 6 months after treatment. Global response was defined by > 50% improvement of seizure frequency and/or cognition and behavior (clinical global impression of “much improved” or better). Twelve patients (aged 5–28 years) were included from three different centers. Neurosurgical tissue samples were available in all patients and revealed a brain somatic variant in SLC35A2 in six patients (non-present in the blood). After 6 months of supplementation, D-galactose was well tolerated with just two patients presenting abdominal discomfort, solved after dose spacing or reduction. There was a 50% reduction or higher of seizure frequency in 3/6 patients, with an improvement at EEG in 2/5 patients. One patient became seizure-free. An improvement of cognitive/behavioral features encompassing impulsivity (mean SNAP-IV − 3.19 [− 0.84; − 5.6]), social communication (mean SCQ − 2.08 [− 0.63; − 4.90]), and executive function (BRIEF-2 inhibit − 5.2 [− 1.23; − 9.2]) was observed. Global responder rate was 9/12 (6/6 in SLC35A2-positive). Our results suggest that supplementation with D-galactose in patients with MOGHE is safe and well tolerated and, although the efficacy data warrant larger studies, it might build a rationale for precision medicine after epilepsy surgery.

Single atom catalysts (SACs) are frontier composites maximizing the active phase activity, but require stabilization. This study conducted a high-throughput analysis of 54 pristine MXenes as supports for the 30 3 d , 4 d , and 5 d transition metals (TMs), exploring 1620 cases. First-principles calculations on MXene models showed patterns in the adsorption energies, E ads , of the TM single-atom (SA), revealing high E ads , except for d 5 or d 10 TM electronic configurations. The SA diffusion barriers, E b , revealed easy diffusions, although in some cases high E b inhibited aggregation or dispersion. Random forest regressor (RFR) machine learning predicted E ads with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.25 eV, and a regression coefficient of 0.99, showing that the TM cohesive energy is key in E ads prediction. Here, the RFR model reported a MAE of 0.1 eV, with few MXene and SA properties being important. Our findings provide insights to use MXenes as support for SACs or TM clusters.