The European Reference Genome Atlas: piloting a decentralised approach to equitable biodiversity genomics

A global genome database of all of Earth’s species diversity could be a treasure trove of scientific discoveries. However, regardless of the major advances in genome sequencing technologies, only a tiny fraction of species have genomic information available. To contribute to a more complete planetary genomic database, scientists and institutions across the world have united under the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), which plans to sequence and assemble high-quality reference genomes for all ~1.5 million recognized eukaryotic species through a stepwise phased approach. As the initiative transitions into Phase II, where 150,000 species are to be sequenced in just four years, worldwide participation in the project will be fundamental to success. As the European node of the EBP, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) seeks to implement a new decentralised, accessible, equitable and inclusive model for producing high-quality reference genomes, which will inform EBP as it scales. To embark on this mission, ERGA launched a Pilot Project to establish a network across Europe to develop and test the first infrastructure of its kind for the coordinated and distributed reference genome production on 98 European eukaryotic species from sample providers across 33 European countries. Here we outline the process and challenges faced during the development of a pilot infrastructure for the production of reference genome resources, and explore the effectiveness of this approach in terms of high-quality reference genome production, considering also equity and inclusion. The outcomes and lessons learned during this pilot provide a solid foundation for ERGA while offering key learnings to other transnational and national genomic resource projects.info:eu-repo/semantics/draf

Stress analysis on the free-end distal extension of an implant-supported mandibular complete denture

A comparative and qualitative analysis of the tensions generated in the cantilever region of an implant-supported mandibular complete denture was conducted using the three-dimensional finite element method. The mechanical properties of the components were input in the model and a load of 15 N was applied in pre-determined points. In the first simulation, the load was applied on the occlusal surface of the first premolar. In the second simulation, it was applied on the first and second premolars. In the third simulation, it was applied on the first and second premolars and on the first molar. The different occlusion patterns produced similar tension distributions in the cantilever region, which followed a similar pattern in the three simulations. In all of the cases, the highest levels of tension were located in the region of the first implant. However, as the loads were dislocated distally, the tensions increased considerably. The more extensive the cantilever, the more compromised will be the infrastructure, the prosthetic components and the implants. Regardless of the length of the cantilever, the highest tensions will always be located in the region of the implant next to the load application point

Characterization of T cells and cytokines in the aqueous humour (AH) in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis (FHC) and idiopathic anterior uveitis (IAU)

FHC and IAU are two forms of anterior uveitis which are localized to the eyes with no evidence of systemic involvement. However, FHC has distinct clinical features and differs from IAU in that the inflammation is low grade, steroid non-responsive, and has a less aggressive clinical course. To try to dissect the mechanism for this difference the phenotypes of the cells in the AH and blood (PB) and the cytokines present in the AH in patients with FHC and IAU were compared. Three-colour flow cytometry was performed on the cells isolated from the AH and PB. Percentage of cells bearing the following markers were determined: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD25, CD8/CD25, CD19 and CD14. The cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were assayed by ELISA. In both groups T cell numbers were higher in the AH than PB, although the distribution of T cell subsets in PB was similar. In the AH, CD8+ T cell numbers were higher in FHC than in IAU (P = 0·003), whilst CD4+ numbers were higher in IAU than FHC (P = 0·01). AH cytokine profiles were different in the two groups: IFN-γ levels were higher and IL-12 levels lower in the FHC group than IAU (P = 0·02), whilst IL-10 levels tended to be higher in the FHC group (P = 0·5). We suggest that different local mechanisms governing the balance of T cell/cytokine-mediated inflammation in the anterior segment may underlie clinical differences such as chronicity and response to steroids in these disorders