First draft genome and transcriptome of \u3ci\u3eCercosporidium personatum\u3c/i\u3e, causal agent of late leaf spot disease of peanut

Objective Two main fungal leaf spot diseases occur in peanut, namely early leaf spot (ELS) and late leaf spot (LLS), these cause a yearly average of $44 million losses. Limited genetic information, 3534 bp of sequencing, exists about the causal agent of LLS, Cercosporidium personatum (syn. Nothopassalora personata, syn. Phaeoisariopsis personata). The extremely slow growth of this fungus, approximately 1 cm colony in 6 months, and challenges in nucleic acid extractions have hindered research on LLS. Our goal in this work is to provide a reference genome for research on this pathogen. Results Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing of the LLS fungus were obtained. A total of 233,542,110 reads of the genome were de novo assembled resulting in 1061 scaffolds, and estimated genome size 27,597,787 bp. RNA sequencing resulted in 11,848,198 reads that were de novo assembled into 13,343 contigs. Genome annotation resulted in 10,703 putative genes. BUSCO analysis of the genome and annotation resulted in 91.1% and 89.5% completeness, respectively. Phylogenetic dendrograms for 5442 bp and 4401 bp of RNA Polymerase II largest and second largest subunits, and for 5474 bp of the ribosomal RNA cistron of C. personatum are presented in relation to closely related fungi

LESSONS LEARNED FROM TWO BIOBLITZES AT VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Two 24 hour BioBlitzes, led by the Department of Biology at Valdosta State University (VSU), were conducted at Grassy Pond Recreational Area in Lowndes County, Georgia. Each event included surveys of birds, arthropods, herpetiles, mammals, plants, fungi, and aquatic microorganisms, and educational activities for the public. Although many of the more than 20 taxonomic experts were VSU faculty or graduate students, some were affiliated with other universities, and others were distinguished Georgia or north Florida naturalists. At the first event, 654 unique species were recorded and over 150 community members and VSU students participated. At the second event, a similar number of species was reported and participation doubled. Most of the taxonomic survey teams focused their efforts on the survey or undergraduate education, with one or two interpretive walks for the public. Only a few community participants contributed to species reporting, despite various efforts to support this type of engagement. Community engagement was greatest with the educational activities and the herpetile and bird walks. VSU student participation was greater at the second event than the first event thanks to more extra credit opportunities and an improved plan to engage students with species reporting. The greatest challenge was the amount of time required to organize, advertise, and coordinate the events. The lessons learned at VSU’s first two BioBlitzes should help to maximize the scientific, educational, and outreach impacts of future BioBlitzes relative to the effort required to host such events

Draft Genome Sequence of \u3ci\u3eCercospora arachidicola\u3c/i\u3e, Causal Agent of Early Leaf Spot in Peanuts

Early leaf spot caused by Cercospora arachidicola S. Hori (teleomorph Mycosphaerella arachidis Deighton) is one of two important leaf spot diseases in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) responsible for significant economic loss to the industry (1, 2). Infections by C. arachidicola appear as small necrotic lesions on the leaves, petioles, or stems, which may be followed by premature defoliation, and, if left unmanaged on susceptible cultivars, can severely decrease yield (1). An effective, yet expensive, disease management strategy consists of multiple fungicide applications throughout the growing season (3). Other strategies such as strip-tillage instead of conventional tillage (4) or weather forecast models that predict disease outbreaks (5) can help minimize the number of fungicide treatments. However, the development of leaf-spot-resistant cultivars that require no fungicide application would be the most desirable means of control (6)

First draft genome and transcriptome of Cercosporidium personatum, causal agent of late leaf spot disease of peanut

Abstract Objective Two main fungal leaf spot diseases occur in peanut, namely early leaf spot (ELS) and late leaf spot (LLS), these cause a yearly average of $44 million losses. Limited genetic information, 3534 bp of sequencing, exists about the causal agent of LLS, Cercosporidium personatum (syn. Nothopassalora personata, syn. Phaeoisariopsis personata). The extremely slow growth of this fungus, approximately 1 cm colony in 6 months, and challenges in nucleic acid extractions have hindered research on LLS. Our goal in this work is to provide a reference genome for research on this pathogen. Results Whole genome and transcriptome sequencing of the LLS fungus were obtained. A total of 233,542,110 reads of the genome were de novo assembled resulting in 1061 scaffolds, and estimated genome size 27,597,787 bp. RNA sequencing resulted in 11,848,198 reads that were de novo assembled into 13,343 contigs. Genome annotation resulted in 10,703 putative genes. BUSCO analysis of the genome and annotation resulted in 91.1% and 89.5% completeness, respectively. Phylogenetic dendrograms for 5442 bp and 4401 bp of RNA Polymerase II largest and second largest subunits, and for 5474 bp of the ribosomal RNA cistron of C. personatum are presented in relation to closely related fungi

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Phthalate Exposure and Preterm Birth: A Pooled Study of Sixteen U.S. Cohorts

BackgroundPhthalate exposures are ubiquitous during pregnancy and may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in preterm birth.ObjectivesWe investigated race and ethnicity in the relationship between biomarkers of phthalate exposure and preterm birth by examining: a) how hypothetical reductions in racial and ethnic disparities in phthalate metabolites might reduce the probability of preterm birth; and b) exposure-response models stratified by race and ethnicity.MethodsWe pooled individual-level data on 6,045 pregnancies from 16 U.S. cohorts. We investigated covariate-adjusted differences in nine urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations by race and ethnicity [non-Hispanic White (White, 43%), non-Hispanic Black (Black, 13%), Hispanic/Latina (38%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (3%)]. Using g-computation, we estimated changes in the probability of preterm birth under hypothetical interventions to eliminate disparities in levels of urinary phthalate metabolites by proportionally lowering average concentrations in Black and Hispanic/Latina participants to be approximately equal to the averages in White participants. We also used race and ethnicity-stratified logistic regression to characterize associations between phthalate metabolites and preterm birth.ResultsIn comparison with concentrations among White participants, adjusted mean phthalate metabolite concentrations were consistently higher among Black and Hispanic/Latina participants by 23%-148% and 4%-94%, respectively. Asian/Pacific Islander participants had metabolite levels that were similar to those of White participants. Hypothetical interventions to reduce disparities in metabolite mixtures were associated with lower probabilities of preterm birth for Black [13% relative reduction; 95% confidence interval (CI): -34%, 8.6%] and Hispanic/Latina (9% relative reduction; 95% CI: -19%, 0.8%) participants. Odds ratios for preterm birth in association with phthalate metabolites demonstrated heterogeneity by race and ethnicity for two individual metabolites (mono-n-butyl and monoisobutyl phthalate), with positive associations that were larger in magnitude observed among Black or Hispanic/Latina participants.ConclusionsPhthalate metabolite concentrations differed substantially by race and ethnicity. Our results show hypothetical interventions to reduce population-level racial and ethnic disparities in biomarkers of phthalate exposure could potentially reduce the probability of preterm birth. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12831