Shallow Genome Sequencing for Phylogenomics of Mycorrhizal Fungi from Endangered Orchids

ABSTRACT Most plant species form symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi and this relationship is especially important for orchids. Fungi in the genera Tulasnella, Ceratobasidium, and Serendipita are critically important for orchid germination, growth and development. The goals of this study are to understand the phylogenetic relationships of mycorrhizal fungi and to improve the taxonomic resources for these groups. We identified 32 fungal isolates with the internal transcribed spacer region and used shallow genome sequencing to functionally annotate these isolates. We constructed phylogenetic trees from 408 orthologous nuclear genes for 50 taxa representing 14 genera, 11 families, and five orders in Agaricomycotina. While confirming relationships among the orders Cantharellales, Sebacinales, and Auriculariales, our results suggest novel relationships between families in the Cantharellales. Consistent with previous studies, we found the genera Ceratobasidium and Thanatephorus of Cerabotasidiaceae to not be monophyletic. Within the monophyletic genus Tulasnella , we found strong phylogenetic signals that suggest a potentially new species and a revision of current species boundaries (e.g. Tulasnella calospora ); however it is premature to make taxonomic revisions without further sampling and morphological descriptions. There is low resolution of Serendipita isolates collected. More sampling is needed from areas around the world before making evolutionary-informed changes in taxonomy. Our study adds value to an important living collection of fungi isolated from endangered orchid species, but also informs future investigations of the evolution of orchid mycorrhizal fungi

Mosaicking thermal images of buildings

Nowadays several thermal cameras capture images based on a pinhole camera model. This paper shows how multiple images of flat-like objects or 3D bodies can be mapped and mosaicked with a mathematical formulation between image and object spaces. This work demonstrates that both geometric and radiometric parts need proper mathematical models that allow the user to obtain a global product (orthophotos or 3D models) where accurate and detailed photogrammetric models and thermal images are registered in order to combine geometry and thermal information

D-dimer testing, with gender-specific cutoff levels, is of value to assess the individual risk of venous thromboembolic recurrence in non-elderly patients of both genders: a post hoc analysis of the DULCIS study

Male patients, especially the young, are at a higher risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (RVTE) than females. Recent scientific reports show the use of D-dimer does not help predict RVTE risk in males. In the present report, we reviewed the data obtained in the DULCIS study (main report published in Blood 2014), focusing on D-dimer results recorded in non-elderly patients of both genders included in the study, and their relationship with RVTE events occurring during follow-up. Using specifically designed cutoff values for positive/negative interpretation, serial D-dimer measurements (performed during warfarin treatment and up to 3 months after discontinuation of anticoagulation) in 475 patients (males 57.3%) aged 64 65 years were obtained. D-dimer resulted positive in 46.3% and 30.5% of males and females, respectively (p = 0.001). Following management procedure, anticoagulation was stopped in 53.7% of males and 69.5% of females, who had persistently negative D-dimer results. The rate of subsequent recurrent events was 1.7% (95% CI 0.5\u20134.5%) and 0.4% (95% CI 0\u20132.5%) patient-years in males and females, respectively, with upper limits of confidence intervals always below the level of risk considered acceptable by international scientific societies for stopping anticoagulation (< 5%). In conclusion, using sensitive quantitative assays with specifically designed cutoff values and serial measurements during and after discontinuation of anticoagulation, D-dimer testing is useful to predict the risk of RVTE and is of help in deciding the duration of anticoagulation in both male and female adult patients aged up to 65 years

Plasma Dynamics

Contains table of contents for Section 2 and reports on three research projects.U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-90-J-4130Princeton University/Tokamak Physics Experiment Grant S-03688-GU.S. Department of Energy Grant DE-FG02-91-ER-54109National Science Foundation Grant ATM 94-2428

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Shallow Genome Sequencing for Phylogenomics of Mycorrhizal Fungi from Endangered Orchids

ABSTRACT Most plant species form symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi and this relationship is especially important for orchids. Fungi in the genera Tulasnella, Ceratobasidium, and Serendipita are critically important for orchid germination, growth and development. The goals of this study are to understand the phylogenetic relationships of mycorrhizal fungi and to improve the taxonomic resources for these groups. We identified 32 fungal isolates with the internal transcribed spacer region and used shallow genome sequencing to functionally annotate these isolates. We constructed phylogenetic trees from 408 orthologous nuclear genes for 50 taxa representing 14 genera, 11 families, and five orders in Agaricomycotina. While confirming relationships among the orders Cantharellales, Sebacinales, and Auriculariales, our results suggest novel relationships between families in the Cantharellales. Consistent with previous studies, we found the genera Ceratobasidium and Thanatephorus of Cerabotasidiaceae to not be monophyletic. Within the monophyletic genus Tulasnella , we found strong phylogenetic signals that suggest a potentially new species and a revision of current species boundaries (e.g. Tulasnella calospora ); however it is premature to make taxonomic revisions without further sampling and morphological descriptions. There is low resolution of Serendipita isolates collected. More sampling is needed from areas around the world before making evolutionary-informed changes in taxonomy. Our study adds value to an important living collection of fungi isolated from endangered orchid species, but also informs future investigations of the evolution of orchid mycorrhizal fungi