Slog
News & ArtsWednesday, October 12, 2011
Science You Are More Than You Are
Posted by Charles Mudede on Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 8:41 AM
A long-held mantra suggests that you can't change your family, the genes they pass on, or the effect of these genes. Now, an international team of scientists, led by researchers at McMaster and McGill universities, is attacking that belief.Another day in the decline of biological determinism. As Susan Oyama (a leading figure of the developmental systems theory) once pointed out, the future will see the kind of gene worship consolidated by Dawkins as a version preformationism.The researchers discovered the gene that is the strongest marker for heart disease can actually be modified by generous amounts of fruit and raw vegetables. The results of their study are published in the current issue of the journal PLoS Medicine.
1
Please consider learning some biology before you opine in this fashion. Many traits result from the interaction of nature and nurture; your contempt for the "nature" component just makes you look pigheaded and ignorant. It is fantastic news that the effects of this genetic risk factor can be profoundly ameliorated by diet - and it's going to be very useful news, as there will now be a goup of people who can be told that they bear a risk factor that makes it especially important for them to modify their behavior.
2
There is nothing new about this. It has been known as long as we have known about genes that behavior affects their expression. A person can have genes for obesity, but if you starve them, they'll be skinny. This is an interesting finding, saying that a particular diet can lower the risk of heart disease in high risk individuals, but its not some huge surprise.
Even whole fields like epigentics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics
Even whole fields like epigentics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics
5
The article states that diet ameliorates the effect of the gene, but I did not read that it changes the gene itself.
It's like, if the light switch is off (gene) and I come into a room with a flashlight (diet) I can see (skinny)...bit if I take away the flashlight, the switch is still off and the room goes back to being dark (fat).
It's like, if the light switch is off (gene) and I come into a room with a flashlight (diet) I can see (skinny)...bit if I take away the flashlight, the switch is still off and the room goes back to being dark (fat).
7
We need to think of our bodie as intricate machines that need a specific kind of fuel to run properly. Start with no sugar in the gas tank. (or at least limited amt.)
8
@7 No sugar in the tank and you would be dead. ATP, which is how the body stores energy, is in part a sugar.
9
Really Charles, I've gone past hoping you will go to the original articles before posting, but I'd appreciate if you'd read past the first fucking paragraph in the Science Daily articles you link to.
The article changes no dogma and it challenges nothing. You still can't change your genes, and the idea that it is a "dogma" that you can't change their effects is laughable. No biologist will ever say that your genes are the only determinant of outcomes. Anyone with half a brain knows that it is the interaction of genes and environment that determines outcomes, and this article does NOTHING to challenge that.
The article changes no dogma and it challenges nothing. You still can't change your genes, and the idea that it is a "dogma" that you can't change their effects is laughable. No biologist will ever say that your genes are the only determinant of outcomes. Anyone with half a brain knows that it is the interaction of genes and environment that determines outcomes, and this article does NOTHING to challenge that.
10
@9, im well aware of the story and plan to read the entire paper this weekend. but cricks's dogma has been already challenged, as you know well know, by retroviruses. this us old news, but it is still important news. most people know about the the selfish gene and dawkins; almost no one knows oyama and developmental systems. or even something as basic as norms of reaction. @5 is correct. he/she offers a great analogy. and the light coming in the dark room is cultural. it's like a pair of glasses.
11
@2: I KNOW, RIGHT? The genotype isn't modified, just the fucking phenotype.
@10: Do retroviruses produce nucleic acids from a polypeptide template? You're just being ignorant here, Charles.
@10: Do retroviruses produce nucleic acids from a polypeptide template? You're just being ignorant here, Charles.
12
http://www.eje-online.org/content/early/…
SERUM SEX STEROIDS MEASURED IN MIDDLE-AGED EUROPEAN AND AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN MEN USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY
Frank Giton,
Jean Fiet⇓,
Jean-Nicolas Cornu,
Olivier Cussenot,
Alain Bélanger,
Saîk Urien,
Alejandro Oliva,
Pascal Blanchet and
Luc Multigner
+ Author Affiliations
F Giton, CIB GHU Sud, AP-HP, Créteil, France
J Fiet, CRC, INSERM U955 eq07, Créteil, France
J Cornu, Department of Urology, AP-HP, Paris, France
O Cussenot, Department of Urology, AP-HP, Paris, France
A Bélanger, Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Quebec city, Canada
S Urien, Clinical Research Unit, INSERM, Paris, France
A Oliva, Unidad de Andrologia, Rosario, Argentina
P Blanchet, Department of Urology, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
L Multigner, U625, INSERM, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
Correspondence: Jean Fiet, Email: fiet@univ-paris12.fr
Abstract
Background. Differences in circulating steroid hormone levels have been hypothesized to explain ethnic differences in steroid-related diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of a wide panel of steroid hormones, both androgens and estrogens, in healthy middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men.
Design and methods. Serum steroid hormone levels were determined in men participating in a systematic public health study funded by the French National Health Insurance system. Blood was collected in the morning from 304 healthy African-Caribbean and European men aged between 40 and 69. Serum steroids were measured by mass spectrometry-gas chromatography, except for dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and sex hormone-binding globulin, which were determined by radioimmunoassay. Data were analyzed in 10-year age intervals by analysis of covariance, with adjustment for age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and season of sampling.
Results. Compared with Europeans, African-Caribbean men presented significantly higher serum levels of measured bioavailable testosterone, 4-androstenedione, and estrone whatever the age group, of 5-androstenediol in those 40 to 49 and 50 to 59, and of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in those aged 40 to 49. In contrast, European men aged 40 to 69 showed significantly higher serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.
Conclusions. Significant differences in serum steroid hormone levels were observed in middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men. Whether such differences could contribute to ethnic differences in disease risk in adult men remains to be investigated. Some steroids, such as bioavailable testosterone, 4-androstenedione, 5-androstenediol, and estrone deserve particular attention.
Received 21 June 2011
Revision received 27 August 2011
Accepted 21 September 2011
More...
SERUM SEX STEROIDS MEASURED IN MIDDLE-AGED EUROPEAN AND AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN MEN USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY
Frank Giton,
Jean Fiet⇓,
Jean-Nicolas Cornu,
Olivier Cussenot,
Alain Bélanger,
Saîk Urien,
Alejandro Oliva,
Pascal Blanchet and
Luc Multigner
+ Author Affiliations
F Giton, CIB GHU Sud, AP-HP, Créteil, France
J Fiet, CRC, INSERM U955 eq07, Créteil, France
J Cornu, Department of Urology, AP-HP, Paris, France
O Cussenot, Department of Urology, AP-HP, Paris, France
A Bélanger, Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Quebec city, Canada
S Urien, Clinical Research Unit, INSERM, Paris, France
A Oliva, Unidad de Andrologia, Rosario, Argentina
P Blanchet, Department of Urology, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
L Multigner, U625, INSERM, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
Correspondence: Jean Fiet, Email: fiet@univ-paris12.fr
Abstract
Background. Differences in circulating steroid hormone levels have been hypothesized to explain ethnic differences in steroid-related diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of a wide panel of steroid hormones, both androgens and estrogens, in healthy middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men.
Design and methods. Serum steroid hormone levels were determined in men participating in a systematic public health study funded by the French National Health Insurance system. Blood was collected in the morning from 304 healthy African-Caribbean and European men aged between 40 and 69. Serum steroids were measured by mass spectrometry-gas chromatography, except for dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and sex hormone-binding globulin, which were determined by radioimmunoassay. Data were analyzed in 10-year age intervals by analysis of covariance, with adjustment for age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and season of sampling.
Results. Compared with Europeans, African-Caribbean men presented significantly higher serum levels of measured bioavailable testosterone, 4-androstenedione, and estrone whatever the age group, of 5-androstenediol in those 40 to 49 and 50 to 59, and of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in those aged 40 to 49. In contrast, European men aged 40 to 69 showed significantly higher serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.
Conclusions. Significant differences in serum steroid hormone levels were observed in middle-aged African-Caribbean and European men. Whether such differences could contribute to ethnic differences in disease risk in adult men remains to be investigated. Some steroids, such as bioavailable testosterone, 4-androstenedione, 5-androstenediol, and estrone deserve particular attention.
Received 21 June 2011
Revision received 27 August 2011
Accepted 21 September 2011
13
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art…
Human values: Genetic and environmental effects on five lexically derived domains and their facets
Walter Rennera, , , Christian Kandlerb, 1, , Wiebke Bleidornb, 2, , Rainer Riemannb, 3, , Alois Angleitnerb, 4, , Frank M. Spinathc, 5, , Jutta Menschik-Bendelea, 6,
Purchase
a Dept. of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Universitätsstrasse 65-67, A-9020 Klagenfurt, Austria
b Dept. of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
c Dept. of Psychology, Saarland University, Germany
Received 12 April 2011; revised 2 September 2011; Accepted 6 September 2011. Available online 7 October 2011.
Abstract
Whereas a substantial genetic component of Conservatism and Religiosity is well documented, there is little evidence with respect to the behavior genetics of other aspects of human values. A sample of 157 monozygotic and 74 dizygotic twins reared together received the Austrian Value Questionnaire (AVQ), which measures a broad variety of value domains and their facets, found by the lexical approach in the German language. Family resemblance of Intellectualism, Harmony, Materialism, and Conservatism was best explained by additive or dominance genetic and non-shared environmental effects, whereas the influence of the environment shared by twins was negligible. In contrast, Religiosity was transmitted by additive genetic, shared and non-shared environmental influences. At the level of facets, the Intellectualism and Harmony showed a homogenous etiology while Religiosity, Materialism, and Conservatism were etiologically heterogeneous.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art…
Human values: Genetic and environmental effects on five lexically derived domains and their facets
Walter Rennera, , , Christian Kandlerb, 1, , Wiebke Bleidornb, 2, , Rainer Riemannb, 3, , Alois Angleitnerb, 4, , Frank M. Spinathc, 5, , Jutta Menschik-Bendelea, 6,
Purchase
a Dept. of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Universitätsstrasse 65-67, A-9020 Klagenfurt, Austria
b Dept. of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, Universitätsstrasse 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
c Dept. of Psychology, Saarland University, Germany
Received 12 April 2011; revised 2 September 2011; Accepted 6 September 2011. Available online 7 October 2011.
Abstract
Whereas a substantial genetic component of Conservatism and Religiosity is well documented, there is little evidence with respect to the behavior genetics of other aspects of human values. A sample of 157 monozygotic and 74 dizygotic twins reared together received the Austrian Value Questionnaire (AVQ), which measures a broad variety of value domains and their facets, found by the lexical approach in the German language. Family resemblance of Intellectualism, Harmony, Materialism, and Conservatism was best explained by additive or dominance genetic and non-shared environmental effects, whereas the influence of the environment shared by twins was negligible. In contrast, Religiosity was transmitted by additive genetic, shared and non-shared environmental influences. At the level of facets, the Intellectualism and Harmony showed a homogenous etiology while Religiosity, Materialism, and Conservatism were etiologically heterogeneous.
14
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11…
African ancestry, early life exposures, and respiratory morbidity in early childhood
Summary
Background
Racial disparities persist in early childhood wheezing and cannot be completely explained by known risk factors.
Objective
To evaluate the associations of genetic ancestry and self-identified race with early childhood recurrent wheezing, accounting for socio-economic status (SES) and early life exposures.
Methods
We studied 1034 children in an urban, multi-racial, prospective birth cohort. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of genetic ancestry as opposed to self-identified race with recurrent wheezing (>3 episodes). Sequential models accounted for demographic, socio-economic factors and early life risk factors. Genetic ancestry, estimated using 150 ancestry informative markers, was expressed in deciles.
Results
Approximately 6.1% of subjects (mean age 3.1 years) experienced recurrent wheezing. After accounting for SES and demographic factors, African ancestry (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02—1.31) was significantly associated with recurrent wheezing. By self-reported race, hispanic subjects had a borderline decrease in risk of wheeze compared with African Americans (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19—1.00), whereas white subjects (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.14—1.57) did not have. After further adjustment for known confounders and early life exposures, both African (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05—1.34) and European ancestry (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74—0.94) retained a significant association with recurrent wheezing, as compared with self-identified race (ORwhites: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.09—1.14; ORhispanic: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.20—1.08). There were no significant interactions between ancestry and early life factors on recurrent wheezing.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
In contrast to self-identified race, African ancestry remained a significant, independent predictor of early childhood wheezing after accounting for early life and other known risk factors associated with lung function changes and asthma. Genetic ancestry may be a powerful way to evaluate wheezing disparities and a proxy for differentially distributed genetic and early life risk factors associated with childhood recurrent wheezing.
R. Kumar1,*,
H.-J. Tsai2,3,
X. Hong2,
C. Gignoux4,
C. Pearson5,
K. Ortiz5,
M. Fu5,
J. A. Pongracic1,
E. G. Burchard4,
H. Bauchner5,†,
X. Wang2,†
Article first published online: 25 SEP 2011
More...
African ancestry, early life exposures, and respiratory morbidity in early childhood
Summary
Background
Racial disparities persist in early childhood wheezing and cannot be completely explained by known risk factors.
Objective
To evaluate the associations of genetic ancestry and self-identified race with early childhood recurrent wheezing, accounting for socio-economic status (SES) and early life exposures.
Methods
We studied 1034 children in an urban, multi-racial, prospective birth cohort. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of genetic ancestry as opposed to self-identified race with recurrent wheezing (>3 episodes). Sequential models accounted for demographic, socio-economic factors and early life risk factors. Genetic ancestry, estimated using 150 ancestry informative markers, was expressed in deciles.
Results
Approximately 6.1% of subjects (mean age 3.1 years) experienced recurrent wheezing. After accounting for SES and demographic factors, African ancestry (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02—1.31) was significantly associated with recurrent wheezing. By self-reported race, hispanic subjects had a borderline decrease in risk of wheeze compared with African Americans (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19—1.00), whereas white subjects (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.14—1.57) did not have. After further adjustment for known confounders and early life exposures, both African (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05—1.34) and European ancestry (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74—0.94) retained a significant association with recurrent wheezing, as compared with self-identified race (ORwhites: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.09—1.14; ORhispanic: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.20—1.08). There were no significant interactions between ancestry and early life factors on recurrent wheezing.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
In contrast to self-identified race, African ancestry remained a significant, independent predictor of early childhood wheezing after accounting for early life and other known risk factors associated with lung function changes and asthma. Genetic ancestry may be a powerful way to evaluate wheezing disparities and a proxy for differentially distributed genetic and early life risk factors associated with childhood recurrent wheezing.
R. Kumar1,*,
H.-J. Tsai2,3,
X. Hong2,
C. Gignoux4,
C. Pearson5,
K. Ortiz5,
M. Fu5,
J. A. Pongracic1,
E. G. Burchard4,
H. Bauchner5,†,
X. Wang2,†
Article first published online: 25 SEP 2011
15
Maybe this has more to do with the Gaia hypothesis...where if a bus wheel runs over my foot, a child's pinwheel on Cygnus IX pokes someone in the eye?
16
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21849…
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Oct;96(10):3199-206. Epub 2011 Aug 17.
Estrogen Levels Are Higher across the Menstrual Cycle in African-American Women Compared with Caucasian Women.
Marsh EE, Shaw ND, Klingman KM, Tiamfook-Morgan TO, Yialamas MA, Sluss PM, Hall JE.
Source
Reproductive Endocrine Unit, BHX-5, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114. jehall@partners.org.
Abstract
Context: Previous studies have suggested that estrogen levels may be higher in African-American women (AAW) compared with Caucasian women (CW), but none have systematically examined estrogen secretion across the menstrual cycle or in relation to other reproductive hormones. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), gonadotropins, androstenedione (a'dione), inhibins, and SHBG levels between AAW and CW across the menstrual cycle. Design, Setting, and Subjects: Daily blood samples were collected from regularly cycling AAW (n = 27) and CW (n = 27) for a full menstrual cycle, and serial ultrasounds were performed. Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of E2, P, LH, FSH, SHBG, inhibin A, inhibin B, and a'dione levels. Results: AAW and CW were of similar age (27.2 ± 0.6 yr, mean ± sem) and body mass index (22.7 ± 0.4 kg/m(2)). All subjects grew a single dominant follicle and had comparable cycle (25-35 d) and follicular phase (11-24 d) lengths. E2 levels were significantly higher in AAW compared with CW (P = 0.02) with the most pronounced differences in the late follicular phase (225.2 ± 14.4 vs. 191.5 ± 10.2 pg/ml; P = 0.02), midluteal phase (211.9 ± 22.2 vs.150.8 ± 9.9, P < 0.001), and late luteal phase (144.4 ± 13.2 vs. 103.5 ± 8.5, P = 0.01). Although LH, FSH, inhibins A and B, P, a'dione, and SHBG were not different between the two groups, the a'dione to E2 ratio was lower in AAW (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Estradiol is higher in AAW compared with CW across the menstrual cycle. Higher estradiol in the face of similar androstenedione and FSH levels suggests enhanced aromatase activity in AAW. Such differences may contribute to racial disparities in bone mineral density, breast cancer, and uterine leiomyomas.
PMID:
21849524
More...
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Oct;96(10):3199-206. Epub 2011 Aug 17.
Estrogen Levels Are Higher across the Menstrual Cycle in African-American Women Compared with Caucasian Women.
Marsh EE, Shaw ND, Klingman KM, Tiamfook-Morgan TO, Yialamas MA, Sluss PM, Hall JE.
Source
Reproductive Endocrine Unit, BHX-5, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114. jehall@partners.org.
Abstract
Context: Previous studies have suggested that estrogen levels may be higher in African-American women (AAW) compared with Caucasian women (CW), but none have systematically examined estrogen secretion across the menstrual cycle or in relation to other reproductive hormones. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), gonadotropins, androstenedione (a'dione), inhibins, and SHBG levels between AAW and CW across the menstrual cycle. Design, Setting, and Subjects: Daily blood samples were collected from regularly cycling AAW (n = 27) and CW (n = 27) for a full menstrual cycle, and serial ultrasounds were performed. Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of E2, P, LH, FSH, SHBG, inhibin A, inhibin B, and a'dione levels. Results: AAW and CW were of similar age (27.2 ± 0.6 yr, mean ± sem) and body mass index (22.7 ± 0.4 kg/m(2)). All subjects grew a single dominant follicle and had comparable cycle (25-35 d) and follicular phase (11-24 d) lengths. E2 levels were significantly higher in AAW compared with CW (P = 0.02) with the most pronounced differences in the late follicular phase (225.2 ± 14.4 vs. 191.5 ± 10.2 pg/ml; P = 0.02), midluteal phase (211.9 ± 22.2 vs.150.8 ± 9.9, P < 0.001), and late luteal phase (144.4 ± 13.2 vs. 103.5 ± 8.5, P = 0.01). Although LH, FSH, inhibins A and B, P, a'dione, and SHBG were not different between the two groups, the a'dione to E2 ratio was lower in AAW (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Estradiol is higher in AAW compared with CW across the menstrual cycle. Higher estradiol in the face of similar androstenedione and FSH levels suggests enhanced aromatase activity in AAW. Such differences may contribute to racial disparities in bone mineral density, breast cancer, and uterine leiomyomas.
PMID:
21849524
17
@12-14: What are you trying to say, Lassie? Different ethnic groups have differing rates of certain diseases? Well, no shit, Lassie!
18
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21223…
BMC Med. 2011 Jan 11;9:2.
Differential endothelial cell gene expression by African Americans versus Caucasian Americans: a possible contribution to health disparity in vascular disease and cancer.
Wei P, Milbauer LC, Enenstein J, Nguyen J, Pan W, Hebbel RP.
Source
Vascular Biology Center, Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Health disparities and the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease continue to be perplexing worldwide health challenges. This study addresses the possibility that genetic differences affecting the biology of the vascular endothelium could be a factor contributing to the increased burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer among African Americans (AA) compared to Caucasian Americans (CA).
METHODS:
From self-identified, healthy, 20 to 29-year-old AA (n = 21) and CA (n = 17), we established cultures of blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) and applied microarray profiling. BOEC have never been exposed to in vivo influences, and their gene expression reflects culture conditions (meticulously controlled) and donor genetics. Significance Analysis of Microarray identified differential expression of single genes. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis examined expression of pre-determined gene sets that survey nine biological systems relevant to endothelial biology.
RESULTS:
At the highly stringent threshold of False Discovery Rate (FDR) = 0, 31 single genes were differentially expressed in AA. PSPH exhibited the greatest fold-change (AA > CA), but this was entirely accounted for by a homolog (PSPHL) hidden within the PSPH probe set. Among other significantly different genes were: for AA > CA, SOS1, AMFR, FGFR3; and for AA < CA, ARVCF, BIN3, EIF4B. Many more (221 transcripts for 204 genes) were differentially expressed at the less stringent threshold of FDR <.05. Using the biological systems approach, we identified shear response biology as being significantly different for AA versus CA, showing an apparent tonic increase of expression (AA > CA) for 46/157 genes within that system.
CONCLUSIONS:
Many of the genes implicated here have substantial roles in endothelial biology. Shear stress response, a critical regulator of endothelial function and vascular homeostasis, may be different between AA and CA. These results potentially have direct implications for the role of endothelial cells in vascular disease (hypertension, stroke) and cancer (via angiogenesis). Also, they are consistent with our over-arching hypothesis that genetic influences stemming from ancestral continent-of-origin could impact upon endothelial cell biology and thereby contribute to disparity of vascular-related disease burden among AA. The method used here could be productively employed to bridge the gap between information from structural genomics (for example, disease association) and cell function and pathophysiology.
PMID:
21223544
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
PMCID: PMC3029215
More...
BMC Med. 2011 Jan 11;9:2.
Differential endothelial cell gene expression by African Americans versus Caucasian Americans: a possible contribution to health disparity in vascular disease and cancer.
Wei P, Milbauer LC, Enenstein J, Nguyen J, Pan W, Hebbel RP.
Source
Vascular Biology Center, Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Health disparities and the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease continue to be perplexing worldwide health challenges. This study addresses the possibility that genetic differences affecting the biology of the vascular endothelium could be a factor contributing to the increased burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer among African Americans (AA) compared to Caucasian Americans (CA).
METHODS:
From self-identified, healthy, 20 to 29-year-old AA (n = 21) and CA (n = 17), we established cultures of blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) and applied microarray profiling. BOEC have never been exposed to in vivo influences, and their gene expression reflects culture conditions (meticulously controlled) and donor genetics. Significance Analysis of Microarray identified differential expression of single genes. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis examined expression of pre-determined gene sets that survey nine biological systems relevant to endothelial biology.
RESULTS:
At the highly stringent threshold of False Discovery Rate (FDR) = 0, 31 single genes were differentially expressed in AA. PSPH exhibited the greatest fold-change (AA > CA), but this was entirely accounted for by a homolog (PSPHL) hidden within the PSPH probe set. Among other significantly different genes were: for AA > CA, SOS1, AMFR, FGFR3; and for AA < CA, ARVCF, BIN3, EIF4B. Many more (221 transcripts for 204 genes) were differentially expressed at the less stringent threshold of FDR <.05. Using the biological systems approach, we identified shear response biology as being significantly different for AA versus CA, showing an apparent tonic increase of expression (AA > CA) for 46/157 genes within that system.
CONCLUSIONS:
Many of the genes implicated here have substantial roles in endothelial biology. Shear stress response, a critical regulator of endothelial function and vascular homeostasis, may be different between AA and CA. These results potentially have direct implications for the role of endothelial cells in vascular disease (hypertension, stroke) and cancer (via angiogenesis). Also, they are consistent with our over-arching hypothesis that genetic influences stemming from ancestral continent-of-origin could impact upon endothelial cell biology and thereby contribute to disparity of vascular-related disease burden among AA. The method used here could be productively employed to bridge the gap between information from structural genomics (for example, disease association) and cell function and pathophysiology.
PMID:
21223544
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
PMCID: PMC3029215
19
Look at it this way - Mudede's kids have a chance not to become pretentious morons. Here's hoping for 'em.
20
@10, I wouldn't call the DNA-->RNA-->Protein "Crick's dogma". When I learned it in High School a million years ago it already included new arrows for all the weird shit that was known to date. This was repeated at the university. In both cases it was called the "Central Dogma of Biology" and in all cases where it was mentioned profs were quick to express their disapproval for the name, since "dogma" should be nowhere near a scientific concept, not even symbolically.
What I think is that you underestimate scientists and vastly overestimate the general public. Amonst scientists and the science-literate, it's been accepted that though DNA->RNA->Protein is the overwhelmingly most common process, it isn't the only game in town. No one disputes or has a particular problem with that. As for most people knowing about "the selfish gene and dawkins" I have to say you have a much greater trust in "most people" than I. Most people, I would wager, would barely be able to properly define the role of proteins, would have no fucking clue what the difference between RNA and DNA was, and could not put together even the basic DNA->RNA->protein lineup, never mind understanding Dawkin's take on genes as the evolutionary unit.
What I think is that you underestimate scientists and vastly overestimate the general public. Amonst scientists and the science-literate, it's been accepted that though DNA->RNA->Protein is the overwhelmingly most common process, it isn't the only game in town. No one disputes or has a particular problem with that. As for most people knowing about "the selfish gene and dawkins" I have to say you have a much greater trust in "most people" than I. Most people, I would wager, would barely be able to properly define the role of proteins, would have no fucking clue what the difference between RNA and DNA was, and could not put together even the basic DNA->RNA->protein lineup, never mind understanding Dawkin's take on genes as the evolutionary unit.
22
To the racist commenter who cites papers they obviously do not understand.
Define race scientifically, giving references to papers that have shown that definition to be accurate. Since I'm pretty sure I'm not dealing with a scientist, just mentioning a race does not constitute evidence. I want you to produce evidence that "black" or "African American" or "Asian" are scientifically defined groups. Until you do that, you will be ignored. Bye.
Define race scientifically, giving references to papers that have shown that definition to be accurate. Since I'm pretty sure I'm not dealing with a scientist, just mentioning a race does not constitute evidence. I want you to produce evidence that "black" or "African American" or "Asian" are scientifically defined groups. Until you do that, you will be ignored. Bye.
23
If you think that Dawkins is unaware of the fact that the environment can impact the expression of genes, you are profoundly mistaken. I am a teaching assistant for a non-major's biology class, and we just went over it in regards to why one identical twin can get cancer while the other one doesn't. This is really baseline stuff. We could get into all kinds of reasons that this might happen (histone modification, DNA methylation, blah blah) but I don't that is necessary.
24
@#20,
The Central Dogma was coined by Crick - but in doing so he explained that he thought "dogma" meant something like "belief that seems right but for which we lack the evidence". Mudede's understanding of the idea is, if you will forgive me, far more dogmatic than Crick's understanding of it ever was. And the Central Dogma remains largely correct: DNA is interpreted to make RNA which is interpreted to make proteins. It is possible for RNA to make DNA, and there are functional RNA molecules that don't make proteins, but the central idea remains very useful.
@#22
Mudede has always been fortunate in his enemies. He often posts the most blithering of nonsense to this blog - this post, however dumb, isn't a patch on his Amanda Knox idiocy - but he can usually count on looking good in comparison to some of his dumber and more racist antagonists in the comments. The commenter you call out is a case in point.
The Central Dogma was coined by Crick - but in doing so he explained that he thought "dogma" meant something like "belief that seems right but for which we lack the evidence". Mudede's understanding of the idea is, if you will forgive me, far more dogmatic than Crick's understanding of it ever was. And the Central Dogma remains largely correct: DNA is interpreted to make RNA which is interpreted to make proteins. It is possible for RNA to make DNA, and there are functional RNA molecules that don't make proteins, but the central idea remains very useful.
@#22
Mudede has always been fortunate in his enemies. He often posts the most blithering of nonsense to this blog - this post, however dumb, isn't a patch on his Amanda Knox idiocy - but he can usually count on looking good in comparison to some of his dumber and more racist antagonists in the comments. The commenter you call out is a case in point.
25
False - genes are NOT modified by fruits and vegetables. Charles, it's truly amazing to me how you consistently misunderstand just about every topic you write about. It's obvious your mind is completely closed to ideas that counter your preconceptions, and that you think you are much smarter than you really are.
File this one under "Space! Rainbows. F*ing magnets, how do they work!"
File this one under "Space! Rainbows. F*ing magnets, how do they work!"
26
@22: So, you're claiming that "race" has no scientific basis in biology?
Great - someone please notify Charles so he can stop obsessing over it (his obsession with race is the motivation behind this post, in case you didn't notice).
Also notify college admissions programs so that they can end affirmative action programs.
Great - someone please notify Charles so he can stop obsessing over it (his obsession with race is the motivation behind this post, in case you didn't notice).
Also notify college admissions programs so that they can end affirmative action programs.
27
There is a difference between changing genes and altering the in utero dietary triggers for the genes that are activated or silenced.
Changing diet can activate miRNA, siRNA, mRNA, etc which "changes" the expression, and impacts resistance in the immune system, which impacts heart disease.
An overexpression of bad dietary choices forces the developing child to react to the environment in which it exists.
But changing Genes?
Mostly ... no.
Changing diet can activate miRNA, siRNA, mRNA, etc which "changes" the expression, and impacts resistance in the immune system, which impacts heart disease.
An overexpression of bad dietary choices forces the developing child to react to the environment in which it exists.
But changing Genes?
Mostly ... no.
30
@26, race, at least the conception of race held by the vast majority of humans, has no biological meaning no. But that doesn't mean it lacks cultural meaning. Races exist in the way religions exist: because people agree that they do.
The fact that grouping a heterogeneous group of people with dark skin with very different ethnic origins, including a wealth of European ancestry into "African American" ha no biological justification does not mean it hasn't been done, that it hasn't created real-life inequalities, and that those don't need to be addressed. I'm agnostic on Affirmative Action myself, but the fact that race is a culturally created term is not a good argument against it, just as religion being a purely cultural phenomenon is not an argument for removing protections against religious discrimination.
The fact that grouping a heterogeneous group of people with dark skin with very different ethnic origins, including a wealth of European ancestry into "African American" ha no biological justification does not mean it hasn't been done, that it hasn't created real-life inequalities, and that those don't need to be addressed. I'm agnostic on Affirmative Action myself, but the fact that race is a culturally created term is not a good argument against it, just as religion being a purely cultural phenomenon is not an argument for removing protections against religious discrimination.
31
God dammit, Charles. I wish you wouldn't science-troll me.
Look, Dawkins' work was just as revolutionary - and just as important and applicable - as Darwin's. The fact that the field of biology has progressed since the original work was published doesn't change that. If you think that superseded science is some kind of "primitive" misapprehension or as you put it "gene worship," I don't think you really understand the whole notion of "On the shoulders of giants." The body of knowledge produced by science is cumulative and infinitely plastic; and like the enzymes that write and copy our genes, it's also intricately self-correcting.
Look, Dawkins' work was just as revolutionary - and just as important and applicable - as Darwin's. The fact that the field of biology has progressed since the original work was published doesn't change that. If you think that superseded science is some kind of "primitive" misapprehension or as you put it "gene worship," I don't think you really understand the whole notion of "On the shoulders of giants." The body of knowledge produced by science is cumulative and infinitely plastic; and like the enzymes that write and copy our genes, it's also intricately self-correcting.
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