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Yu Z, Flament F, Jiang R, Houghton J, Kroely C, Cabut N, Haykal D, Sehgal C, Jablonski NG, Jean A, Aarabi P. The relevance and accuracy of an AI algorithm-based descriptor on 23 facial attributes in a diverse female US population. Skin Res Technol 2024; 30:e13690. [PMID: 38716749 PMCID: PMC11077572 DOI: 10.1111/srt.13690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The response of AI in situations that mimic real life scenarios is poorly explored in populations of high diversity. OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy and validate the relevance of an automated, algorithm-based analysis geared toward facial attributes devoted to the adornment routines of women. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, two diversified groups presenting similar distributions such as age, ancestry, skin phototype, and geographical location was created from the selfie images of 1041 female in a US population. 521 images were analyzed as part of a new training dataset aimed to improve the original algorithm and 520 were aimed to validate the performance of the AI. From a total 23 facial attributes (16 continuous and 7 categorical), all images were analyzed by 24 make-up experts and by the automated descriptor tool. RESULTS For all facial attributes, the new and the original automated tool both surpassed the grading of the experts on a diverse population of women. For the 16 continuous attributes, the gradings obtained by the new system strongly correlated with the assessment made by make-up experts (r ≥ 0.80; p < 0.0001) and supported by a low error rate. For the seven categorical attributes, the overall accuracy of the AI-facial descriptor was improved via enrichment of the training dataset. However, some weaker performance in spotting specific facial attributes were noted. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the AI-automatic facial descriptor tool was deemed accurate for analysis of facial attributes for diverse women although some skin complexion, eye color, and hair features required some further finetuning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yu
- Modiface – A L'Oréal Group CompanyTorontoCanada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nina G Jablonski
- Department of AnthropologyThe Pennsylvania State University, University ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
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Lukovac T, Hil OA, Popović M, Jovanović V, Savić T, Pavlović AM, Pavlović D. Serum Biomarker Analysis in Pediatric ADHD: Implications of Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Ferritin, and Iron Levels. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:497. [PMID: 38671715 PMCID: PMC11048887 DOI: 10.3390/children11040497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The current diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on history, clinical observation, and behavioral tests. There is a high demand to find biomarkers for the diagnosis of ADHD. The aim of this study is to analyze the serum profiles of several biomarkers, including homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12, vitamin D, ferritin, and iron, in a cohort of 133 male subjects (6.5-12.5 years), including 67 individuals with an ADHD diagnosis based on DSM-V criteria and 66 age-matched healthy boys (healthy controls, HC). Assessments for ADHD included the Iowa Conners' Teacher Rating Scale (CPRS) and the ADHDT test, as well as cognitive assessments using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the TROG-2 language comprehension test. Hcy and iron were quantified using spectrophotometry, while vitamin B12 and total 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were determined using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and ferritin was measured using a particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. The results showed significantly increased Hcy levels and decreased vitamin B12 levels in ADHD patients compared to HCs. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that Hcy is a potential prognostic indicator for ADHD. These results suggest that elevated homocysteine and decreased vitamin B12 may serve as markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Lukovac
- Center for Speech and Language Pathology Higia Logos, Mirijevski Bulevar 17 b, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Milka Popović
- Beo-Lab Laboratories, Resavska 58-60, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Vitomir Jovanović
- Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Čika-Ljubina 18-20, 11102 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Tatjana Savić
- Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Boulevard, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandra M. Pavlović
- Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade, Visokog Stevana 2, 11102 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.M.P.); (D.P.)
| | - Dragan Pavlović
- Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, University of Belgrade, Visokog Stevana 2, 11102 Belgrade, Serbia; (A.M.P.); (D.P.)
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3
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Lenover MB, Shenk MK. Evolutionary medicine approaches to chronic disease: The case of irritable bowel syndrome. Evol Anthropol 2024; 33:e22010. [PMID: 37909359 DOI: 10.1002/evan.22010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gastrointestinal disease, is a global phenomenon correlated with industrialization. We propose that an evolutionary medicine approach is useful to understand this disease from an ultimate perspective and conducted a scoping literature review to synthesize the IBS literature within this framework. Our review suggests five potential evolutionary hypotheses for the cause of IBS, including (a) a dietary mismatch accompanying a nutritional transition, (b) an early hygienic life environment leading to the immune system and microbiotic changes, (c) an outcome of decreased physical activity, (d) a response to changes in environmental light-dark cycles, and (e) an artifact of an evolved fight or flight response. We find key limitations in the available data needed to understand early life, nutritional, and socioeconomic experiences that would allow us to understand evolutionarily relevant risk factors and identify a need for further empirical research to distinguish potential causes and test evolutionary hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makenna B Lenover
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary K Shenk
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
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4
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Lucock MD. The evolution of human skin pigmentation: A changing medley of vitamins, genetic variability, and UV radiation during human expansion. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2023; 180:252-271. [PMID: 36790744 PMCID: PMC10083917 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
This review examines putative, yet likely critical evolutionary pressures contributing to human skin pigmentation and subsequently, depigmentation phenotypes. To achieve this, it provides a synthesis of ideas that frame contemporary thinking, without limiting the narrative to pigmentation genes alone. It examines how geography and hence the quality and quantity of UV exposure, pigmentation genes, diet-related genes, vitamins, anti-oxidant nutrients, and cultural practices intersect and interact to facilitate the evolution of human skin color. The article has a strong focus on the vitamin D-folate evolutionary model, with updates on the latest biophysical research findings to support this paradigm. This model is examined within a broad canvas that takes human expansion out of Africa and genetic architecture into account. A thorough discourse on the biology of melanization is provided (includes relationship to BH4 and DNA damage repair), with the relevance of this to the UV sensitivity of folate and UV photosynthesis of vitamin D explained in detail, including the relevance of these vitamins to reproductive success. It explores whether we might be able to predict vitamin-related gene polymorphisms that pivot metabolism to the prevailing UVR exposome within the vitamin D-folate evolutionary hypothesis context. This is discussed in terms of a primary adaptive phenotype (pigmentation/depigmentation), a secondary adaptive phenotype (flexible metabolic phenotype based on vitamin-related gene polymorphism profile), and a tertiary adaptive strategy (dietary anti-oxidants to support the secondary adaptive phenotype). Finally, alternative evolutionary models for pigmentation are discussed, as are challenges to future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Lucock
- School of Environmental & Life SciencesUniversity of NewcastleOurimbahNew South WalesAustralia
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5
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Flament F, Jiang R, Houghton J, Zhang Y, Kroely C, Jablonski NG, Jean A, Clarke J, Steeg J, Sehgal C, McParland J, Delaunay C, Passeron T. Accuracy and clinical relevance of an automated, algorithm-based analysis of facial signs from selfie images of women in the United States of various ages, ancestries and phototypes: A cross-sectional observational study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:176-183. [PMID: 35986708 PMCID: PMC10087370 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Real-life validation is necessary to ensure our artificial intelligence (AI) skin diagnostic tool is inclusive across a diverse and representative US population of various ages, ancestries and skin phototypes. OBJECTIVES To explore the relevance and accuracy of an automated, algorithm-based analysis of facial signs in representative women of different ancestries, ages and phototypes, living in the same country. METHODS In a cross-sectional study of selfie images of 1041 US women, algorithm-based analyses of seven facial signs were automatically graded by an AI-based algorithm and by 50 US dermatologists of various profiles (age, gender, ancestry, geographical location). For automated analysis and dermatologist assessment, the same referential skin atlas was used to standardize the grading scales. The average values and their variability were compared with respect to age, ancestry and phototype. RESULTS For five signs, the grading obtained by the automated system were strongly correlated with dermatologists' assessments (r ≥ 0.75); cheek skin pores were moderately correlated (r = 0.63) and pigmentation signs, especially for the darkest skin tones, were weakly correlated (r = 0.40) to the dermatologist assessments. Age and ancestry had no effect on the correlations. In many cases, the automated system performed better than the dermatologist-assessed clinical grading due to 0.3-0.5 grading unit differences among the dermatologist panel that were not related to any individual characteristic (e.g. gender, age, ancestry, location). The use of phototypes, as discontinuous categorical variables, is likely a limiting factor in the assessments of grading, whether obtained by automated analysis or clinical assessment of the images. CONCLUSIONS The AI-based automatic procedure is accurate and clinically relevant for analysing facial signs in a diverse and inclusive population of US women, as confirmed by a diverse panel of dermatologists, although skin tone requires further improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruowei Jiang
- ModiFace - A L'Oréal Group Company, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeff Houghton
- ModiFace - A L'Oréal Group Company, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yuze Zhang
- ModiFace - A L'Oréal Group Company, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Clarke
- Evaluative Criteria Incorporated, Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | - Jason Steeg
- Evaluative Criteria Incorporated, Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Thierry Passeron
- Department of Dermatology, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, Nice, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, Nice, France
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6
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Umar SA, Tasduq SA. Ozone Layer Depletion and Emerging Public Health Concerns - An Update on Epidemiological Perspective of the Ambivalent Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure. Front Oncol 2022; 12:866733. [PMID: 35359420 PMCID: PMC8960955 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.866733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the primary etiological agent responsible for developing cutaneous malignancies. Avoiding excessive radiation exposure, especially by high-risk groups, is recommended to prevent UV-induced photo-pathologies. However, optimal sun exposure is essential for the healthy synthesis of about 90% of vitamin D levels in the body. Insufficient exposure to UV-B is linked to vitamin D deficiency in humans. Therefore, optimal sun exposure is necessary for maintaining a normal state of homeostasis in the skin. Humans worldwide face a major existential threat because of climate change which has already shown its effects in several ways. Over the last 4 to 5 decades, increased incidences in skin cancer cases have led international health organizations to develop strong sun protection measures. However, at the same time, a growing concern about vitamin D deficiency is creating a kind of exposure dilemma. Current knowledge of UV exposure to skin outweighs the adverse effects than the beneficial roles it offers to the body, necessitating a correct public health recommendation on optimal sun exposure. Following an appropriate recommendation on optimal sun exposure will lead to positive outcomes in protecting humans against the adverse effects of strict recommendations on sun protection measures. In this short review, we spotlight the ambivalent health effects of UV exposure and how ozone layer depletion has influenced these effects of UVR. Further, our aim remains to explore how to lead towards a balanced recommendation on sun protection measures to prevent the spurt of diseases due to inadequate exposure to UV-B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh Ahmad Umar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) and Toxicology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian (CSIR) Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Sheikh Abdullah Tasduq
- Department of Biological Sciences, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
- Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) and Toxicology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian (CSIR) Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
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7
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Galliano A, Guerin M, Lambert V, Favrot I, Seneca D, Lequeux F, Flament F, Sleurs A, Foster B, Phung E, Lee KM, Houghton J. Virtual approach of the aesthetical fit between hair colours and skin tones in women of different ethnical origin backgrounds. Skin Res Technol 2022; 28:455-464. [PMID: 35261091 PMCID: PMC9907600 DOI: 10.1111/srt.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the aesthetical accordance between a given skin tone and the 11 possible colours of head hairs, covered by a marketed hair colouration product. MATERIAL AND METHODS The photographs of professional top models, representing several ancestries (non-Hispanic European and Euro-American, East Asian, Hispanic Euro-American, and African-American ancestries), were used to virtually modify skin tones (from light, medium to dark) and hair colour by an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm. Hence, 117 modified photographs were then assessed by five local panels of about 60 women each (one in China, one in France and three in US). The same questionnaire was given to the panels, written in their own language, asking which and how both skin tones and hair colours fit preferentially (or not appreciated), asking in addition the reasons of their choices, using fixed wordings. RESULTS Answers from the five panels differed according to origin or cultural aspects, although some agreements were found among both non-Hispanic European and Euro-American groups. The Hispanic American panel in US globally much appreciated darker hair tones (HTs). Two panels (East Asian in China and African American in US) and part of non-Hispanic European panel in France declared appreciating all HTs, almost irrespective with the skin tone (light, medium and dark). This surprising result is very likely caused by gradings (in %) that differ by too low values, making the establishment of a decisive or significant assessment. By nature highly subjective (culturally and/or fashion driven), the assessments should be more viewed as trends, an unavoidable limit of the present virtual approach. The latter offers nevertheless a full respect of ethical rules as such objective could hardly be conducted in vivo: applying 10 or 11 hair colourations on the same individual is an unthinkable option. CONCLUSION The virtual approach developed in the present study that mixes two major facial coloured phenotypes seems at the crossroad of both genetic backgrounds and the secular desire of a modified appearance. Nonetheless, this methodology could afford, at the individual level in total confidentiality, a great help to subjects exposed to some facial skin disorders or afflictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Galliano
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, Saint-Ouen, France
| | - Myriam Guerin
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, Saint-Ouen, France
| | - Valerie Lambert
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, Saint-Ouen, France
| | - Ioanna Favrot
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, Saint-Ouen, France
| | - David Seneca
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, Saint-Ouen, France
| | - Fabien Lequeux
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, Saint-Ouen, France
| | - Frédéric Flament
- L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Centre Charles Zviak, Saint-Ouen, France
| | - Anna Sleurs
- L'Oréal Paris, Centre Eugene Schueller, Clichy, France
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8
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Jablonski NG. The evolution of human skin pigmentation involved the interactions of genetic, environmental, and cultural variables. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2021; 34:707-729. [PMID: 33825328 PMCID: PMC8359960 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The primary biological role of human skin pigmentation is as a mediator of penetration of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) into the deep layers of skin and the cutaneous circulation. Since the origin of Homo sapiens, dark, protective constitutive pigmentation and strong tanning abilities have been favored under conditions of high UVR and represent the baseline condition for modern humans. The evolution of partly depigmented skin and variable tanning abilities has occurred multiple times in prehistory, as populations have dispersed into environments with lower and more seasonal UVR regimes, with unique complements of genes and cultural practices. The evolution of extremes of dark pigmentation and depigmentation has been rare and occurred only under conditions of extremely high or low environmental UVR, promoted by positive selection on variant pigmentation genes followed by limited gene flow. Over time, the evolution of human skin pigmentation has been influenced by the nature and course of human dispersals and modifications of cultural practices, which have modified the nature and actions of skin pigmentation genes. Throughout most of prehistory and history, the evolution of human skin pigmentation has been a contingent and non-deterministic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina G. Jablonski
- Department of AnthropologyThe Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
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9
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Huang X, Wang S, Jin L, He Y. Dissecting dynamics and differences of selective pressures in the evolution of human pigmentation. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio056523. [PMID: 33495209 PMCID: PMC7888712 DOI: 10.1242/bio.056523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pigmentation is a highly diverse and complex trait among populations and has drawn particular attention from both academic and non-academic investigators for thousands of years. Previous studies detected selection signals in several human pigmentation genes, but few studies have integrated contribution from multiple genes to the evolution of human pigmentation. Moreover, none has quantified selective pressures on human pigmentation over epochs and between populations. Here, we dissect dynamics and differences of selective pressures during different periods and between distinct populations with new approaches. We use genotype data of 19 genes associated with human pigmentation from 17 publicly available datasets and obtain data for 2346 individuals of six representative population groups from across the world. Our results quantify the strength of natural selection on light pigmentation not only in modern Europeans (0.0259/generation) but also in proto-Eurasians (0.00650/generation). Our results also suggest that several derived alleles associated with human dark pigmentation may be under positive directional selection in some African populations. Our study provides the first attempt to quantitatively investigate the dynamics of selective pressures during different time periods in the evolution of human pigmentation.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Max Planck Society Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Max Planck Society Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Li Jin
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Max Planck Society Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yungang He
- Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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10
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Missaggia BO, Reales G, Cybis GB, Hünemeier T, Bortolini MC. Adaptation and co-adaptation of skin pigmentation and vitamin D genes in native Americans. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:1060-1077. [PMID: 33325159 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We carried out an exhaustive review regarding human skin color variation and how much it may be related to vitamin D metabolism and other photosensitive molecules. We discuss evolutionary contexts that modulate this variability and hypotheses postulated to explain them; for example, a small amount of melanin in the skin facilitates vitamin D production, making it advantageous to have fair skin in an environment with little radiation incidence. In contrast, more melanin protects folate from degradation in an environment with a high incidence of radiation. Some Native American populations have a skin color at odds with what would be expected for the amount of radiation in the environment in which they live, a finding challenging the so-called "vitamin D-folate hypothesis." Since food is also a source of vitamin D, dietary habits should also be considered. Here we argue that a gene network approach provides tools to explain this phenomenon since it indicates potential alleles co-evolving in a compensatory way. We identified alleles of the vitamin D metabolism and pigmentation pathways segregated together, but in different proportions, in agriculturalists and hunter-gatherers. Finally, we highlight how an evolutionary approach can be useful to understand current topics of medical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Oliveira Missaggia
- Genetics Departament, Biosciences Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Guillermo Reales
- Genetics Departament, Biosciences Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriela B Cybis
- Statistics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tábita Hünemeier
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Biosciences Institute, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Cátira Bortolini
- Genetics Departament, Biosciences Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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11
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Jiang X, Assis R. Population-Specific Genetic and Expression Differentiation in Europeans. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 12:358-369. [PMID: 32365201 PMCID: PMC7197493 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of the enormous phenotypic variation observed across human populations is thought to have arisen from events experienced as our ancestors peopled different regions of the world. However, little is known about the genes involved in these population-specific adaptations. Here, we explore this problem by simultaneously examining population-specific genetic and expression differentiation in four human populations. In particular, we derive a branch-based estimator of population-specific differentiation in four populations, and apply this statistic to single-nucleotide polymorphism and RNA-seq data from Italian, British, Finish, and Yoruban populations. As expected, genome-wide estimates of genetic and expression differentiation each independently recapitulate the known relationships among these four human populations, highlighting the utility of our statistic for identifying putative targets of population-specific adaptations. Moreover, genes with large copy number variations display elevated levels of population-specific genetic and expression differentiation, consistent with the hypothesis that gene duplication and deletion events are key reservoirs of adaptive variation. Further, many top-scoring genes are well-known targets of adaptation in Europeans, including those involved in lactase persistence and vitamin D absorption, and a handful of novel candidates represent promising avenues for future research. Together, these analyses reveal that our statistic can aid in uncovering genes involved in population-specific genetic and expression differentiation, and that such genes often play important roles in a diversity of adaptive and disease-related phenotypes in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyuan Jiang
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Raquel Assis
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
- Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431
- Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431
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12
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Lin T, Man M, Abuabara K, Wakefield JS, Sheu H, Tsai J, Lee C, Elias PM. By protecting against cutaneous inflammation, epidermal pigmentation provided an additional advantage for ancestral humans. Evol Appl 2019; 12:1960-1970. [PMID: 31700538 PMCID: PMC6824065 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pigmentation evolved in ancestral humans to protect against toxic, ultraviolet B irradiation, but the question remains: "what is being protected?" Because humans with dark pigmentation display a suite of superior epidermal functions in comparison with their more lightly pigmented counterparts, we hypothesized and provided evidence that dark pigmentation evolved in Africa to support cutaneous function. Because our prior clinical studies also showed that a restoration of a competent barrier dampens cutaneous inflammation, we hypothesized that resistance to inflammation could have provided pigmented hominins with yet another, important evolutionary benefit. We addressed this issue here in two closely related strains of hairless mice, endowed with either moderate (Skh2/J) or absent (Skh1) pigmentation. In these models, we showed that (a) pigmented mice display a markedly reduced propensity to develop inflammation after challenges with either a topical irritant or allergen in comparison with their nonpigmented counterparts; (b) visible and histologic evidence of inflammation was paralleled by reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1α and INFα); (c) because depigmentation of Skh2/J mouse skin enhanced both visible inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels after comparable pro-inflammatory challenges, the reduced propensity to develop inflammation was directly linked to the presence of pigmentation; and (d) furthermore, in accordance with our prior work showing that pigment production endows benefits by reducing the surface pH of skin, acidification of albino (Skh1) mouse skin also protected against inflammation, and equalized cytokine levels to those found in pigmented skin. In summary, pigmentation yields a reduced propensity to develop inflammation, consistent with our hypothesis that dark pigmentation evolved in ancestral humans to provide a suite of barrier-linked benefits that now include resistance to inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu‐Kai Lin
- Department of DermatologyHualien Tzu Chi HospitalBuddhist Tzu Chi Medical FoundationHualienTaiwan
- School of MedicineTzu Chi UniversityHualienTaiwan
| | - Mao‐Qiang Man
- Department of DermatologyVA Med Ctr/UCSFSan FranciscoCalifornia
| | - Katrina Abuabara
- Program for Clinical ResearchDepartment of DermatologyUC San Francisco School of MedicineSan FranciscoCalifornia
| | | | - Hamm‐ming Sheu
- Department of DermatologyNational Cheng Kung University College of MedicineTainanTaiwan
| | - Jui‐chen Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutical SciencesCollege of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Chih‐Hung Lee
- Department of DermatologyKaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of MedicineKaohsiungTaiwan
| | - Peter M. Elias
- Department of DermatologyVA Med Ctr/UCSFSan FranciscoCalifornia
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13
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The Evolutionary History of Human Skin Pigmentation. J Mol Evol 2019; 88:77-87. [PMID: 31363820 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-019-09902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Skin pigmentation is a complex, conspicuous, highly variable human trait that exhibits a remarkable correlation with latitude. The evolutionary history and genetic basis of skin color variation has been the subject of intense research in the last years. This article reviews the major hypotheses explaining skin color diversity and explores the implications of recent findings about the genes associated with skin pigmentation for understanding the evolutionary forces that have shaped the current patterns of skin color variation. A major aspect of these findings is that the genetic basis of skin color is less simple than previously thought and that geographic variation in skin pigmentation was influenced by the concerted action of different types of natural selection, rather than just by selective sweeps in a few key genes.
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Koch W. Dietary Polyphenols-Important Non-Nutrients in the Prevention of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases. A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11051039. [PMID: 31075905 PMCID: PMC6566812 DOI: 10.3390/nu11051039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The improvement of the social and economic conditions of society has eliminated the threat of death from the majority of infectious diseases. However, the rapid progress of civilization has created new possibilities for the appearance of factors with adverse effects for the health of society. This has led to increased morbidity from certain diseases, the presence of which had not been observed several centuries ago. Chronic noncommunicable diseases (e.g., cancers, cardio-vascular disorders, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases) result from an inappropriate relationship between people and their environment. The common characteristic for all chronic diseases is a “new” form of inflammation, very often called metaflammation, which is considered as a subclinical, permanent inflammation. As a result, metabolic cascade, including cellular oxidative stress, atherosclerotic process, and insulin resistance, occurs, which slowly generates significant deterioration in the organism. Polyphenols are the major group of non-nutrients, considering their diversity, food occurrence, and biological properties. The current review aims to present a wide spectrum of literature data, including the molecular mechanism of their activity and experimental model used, and summarize the recent findings on the multitude of physiological effects of dietary polyphenols towards the prevention of several chronic diseases. However, despite several studies, the estimation of their dietary intake is troublesome and inconclusive, which will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Koch
- Chair and Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodźki Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
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15
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Larentis O, Tonina E, Iorio S, Gorini I, Licata M. Osteological evidence of metabolic diseases from a post medieval North Italy archaeological site. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 33:2735-2742. [PMID: 30563375 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1560405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal lesions related to metabolic diseases in children have been systematically investigated in paleopathological literature only in recent years. This work presents an infant pathological specimen from the post-medieval cemetery of the St. Mary's Nativity church (15th-18th centuries, Segno, Trento, Trentino, Northeast Italy). The bones belonged to an individual of 9 ± 3 months of age, estimated upon an assessment of the stage of dental eruption. Metabolic diseases were diagnosed with paleopathological criteria according to previous literature. Differential diagnosis of the osteological evidence indicates a disease that might be caused by the lack of vitamin D or C. Comorbidity of vitamin C and D deficiency has been widely studied in clinical literature, particularly in children between 3 months and 5 years of age. The study of ancient osteoarchaeological materials allows us to improve our knowledge on diseases' effects on bone development in children and, in this case, it represents additional evidence of the presence of metabolic diseases in a rural contest of the Italian post-medieval period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Larentis
- Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Enrica Tonina
- B. Bagolini Laboratory, Department of Humanities, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Silvia Iorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of History of Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Gorini
- Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Marta Licata
- Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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16
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Jablonski NG, Chaplin G. The roles of vitamin D and cutaneous vitamin D production in human evolution and health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2018; 23:54-59. [PMID: 29606375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Most of the vitamin D necessary for the maintenance of human health and successful reproduction is made in the skin under the influence of a narrow portion of the electromagnetic spectrum emitted from the sun, namely ultraviolet B radiation (UVB). During the course of human evolution, skin pigmentation has evolved to afford protection against high levels of UVR while still permitting cutaneous production of vitamin D. Similar pigmentation phenotypes evolved repeatedly as the result of independent genetic events when isolated human populations dispersed into habitats of extremely low or high UVB. The gradient of skin color seen in modern human populations is evidence of the operation of two clines, one favoring photoprotection near the equator, the other favoring vitamin D production nearer the poles. Through time, human adaptations to different solar regimes have become more cultural than biological. Rapid human migrations, increasing urbanization, and changes in lifestyle have created mismatches between skin pigmentation and environmental conditions leading to vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence and significance for health of vitamin D deficiencies, and the definition of optimal levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream are subjects of intense research and debate, but two of the causes of vitamin D deficiency - lack of sun exposure and abandonment of vitamin D rich foods in the diet - are traceable to changes in human lifestyles accompanying urbanization in prehistory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - George Chaplin
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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17
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Quillen EE, Norton HL, Parra EJ, Lona-Durazo F, Ang KC, Illiescu FM, Pearson LN, Shriver MD, Lasisi T, Gokcumen O, Starr I, Lin YL, Martin AR, Jablonski NG. Shades of complexity: New perspectives on the evolution and genetic architecture of human skin. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2018; 168 Suppl 67:4-26. [PMID: 30408154 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Like many highly variable human traits, more than a dozen genes are known to contribute to the full range of skin color. However, the historical bias in favor of genetic studies in European and European-derived populations has blinded us to the magnitude of pigmentation's complexity. As deliberate efforts are being made to better characterize diverse global populations and new sequencing technologies, better measurement tools, functional assessments, predictive modeling, and ancient DNA analyses become more widely accessible, we are beginning to appreciate how limited our understanding of the genetic bases of human skin color have been. Novel variants in genes not previously linked to pigmentation have been identified and evidence is mounting that there are hundreds more variants yet to be found. Even for genes that have been exhaustively characterized in European populations like MC1R, OCA2, and SLC24A5, research in previously understudied groups is leading to a new appreciation of the degree to which genetic diversity, epistatic interactions, pleiotropy, admixture, global and local adaptation, and cultural practices operate in population-specific ways to shape the genetic architecture of skin color. Furthermore, we are coming to terms with how factors like tanning response and barrier function may also have influenced selection on skin throughout human history. By examining how our knowledge of pigmentation genetics has shifted in the last decade, we can better appreciate how far we have come in understanding human diversity and the still long road ahead for understanding many complex human traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen E Quillen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.,Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Heather L Norton
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Esteban J Parra
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto - Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frida Lona-Durazo
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto - Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - Khai C Ang
- Department of Pathology and Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Florin Mircea Illiescu
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Centro de Estudios Interculturales e Indígenas - CIIR, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Laurel N Pearson
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark D Shriver
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Tina Lasisi
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Omer Gokcumen
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Izzy Starr
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Yen-Lung Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Alicia R Martin
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
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18
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Wimalawansa SJ. Non-musculoskeletal benefits of vitamin D. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018; 175:60-81. [PMID: 27662817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine and critically evaluate the plausible relationships of vitamin D with extra-skeletal tissues in humans. Severe vitamin D deficiency results in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults; these beneficial effects in the musculoskeletal system and certain physiological functions are well understood. Nevertheless, mounting reports support additional beneficial effects of vitamin D, outside the musculoskeletal system. This review explores the recent advances in knowledge about the non-skeletal effects of vitamin D. Peer-reviewed papers were extracted from research databases using key words, to assess correlations between vitamin D and extra-skeletal diseases and conditions. As per the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA); general interpretations of results are included; taking into consideration the broader evidence and implications. This review summarizes current knowledge of the effects of vitamin D status on extra-skeletal tissues with special attention given to relationships between vitamin D status and various diseases commonly affecting adults; the effects of intervention with vitamin D and exposure to sunlight. Evidence suggests that vitamin D facilitates the regulation of blood pressure; and cardiac; endothelial; and smooth muscle cell functions; playing an important role in cardiovascular protection. In addition; 1,25(OH)2D improves immunity; subdues inflammation; and reduces the incidence and severity of common cancers; autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases. Almost all adequately powered; epidemiological and biological studies that use; adequate doses of vitamin D supplementation in D-deficient populations have reported favorable outcomes. These studies have concluded that optimizing 25(OH)D status improves the functionality of bodily systems; reduces comorbidities; improves the quality of life; and increases survival. Although accumulating evidence supports biological associations of vitamin D sufficiency with improved physical and mental functions; no definitive evidence exists from well-designed; statistically powered; randomized controlled clinical trials. Nevertheless, most studies point to significant protective effects of vitamin D in humans when the minimum 25(OH)D serum level exceeds 30ng/mL and is maintained throughout the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil J Wimalawansa
- Endocrinology & Nutrition, Cardio Metabolic Institute, 661 Darmody Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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19
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Martin AR, Lin M, Granka JM, Myrick JW, Liu X, Sockell A, Atkinson EG, Werely CJ, Möller M, Sandhu MS, Kingsley DM, Hoal EG, Liu X, Daly MJ, Feldman MW, Gignoux CR, Bustamante CD, Henn BM. An Unexpectedly Complex Architecture for Skin Pigmentation in Africans. Cell 2017; 171:1340-1353.e14. [PMID: 29195075 PMCID: PMC5884124 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 15 genes have been directly associated with skin pigmentation variation in humans, leading to its characterization as a relatively simple trait. However, by assembling a global survey of quantitative skin pigmentation phenotypes, we demonstrate that pigmentation is more complex than previously assumed, with genetic architecture varying by latitude. We investigate polygenicity in the KhoeSan populations indigenous to southern Africa who have considerably lighter skin than equatorial Africans. We demonstrate that skin pigmentation is highly heritable, but known pigmentation loci explain only a small fraction of the variance. Rather, baseline skin pigmentation is a complex, polygenic trait in the KhoeSan. Despite this, we identify canonical and non-canonical skin pigmentation loci, including near SLC24A5, TYRP1, SMARCA2/VLDLR, and SNX13, using a genome-wide association approach complemented by targeted resequencing. By considering diverse, under-studied African populations, we show how the architecture of skin pigmentation can vary across humans subject to different local evolutionary pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia R Martin
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA.
| | - Meng Lin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Julie M Granka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Justin W Myrick
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | | | - Alexandra Sockell
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Cedric J Werely
- SA MRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marlo Möller
- SA MRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - David M Kingsley
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Eileen G Hoal
- SA MRC Centre for Tuberculosis Research, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Xiao Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mark J Daly
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Marcus W Feldman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | | | - Brenna M Henn
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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20
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Milk vitamin D in relation to the 'adequate intake' for 0-6-month-old infants: a study in lactating women with different cultural backgrounds, living at different latitudes. Br J Nutr 2017; 118:804-812. [PMID: 29103383 DOI: 10.1017/s000711451700277x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Breast-fed infants are susceptible to vitamin D deficiency rickets. The current vitamin D 'adequate intake' (AI) for 0-6-month-old infants is 10 µg/d, corresponding with a human milk antirachitic activity (ARA) of 513 IU/l. We were particularly interested to see whether milk ARA of mothers with lifetime abundant sunlight exposure reaches the AI. We measured milk ARA of lactating mothers with different cultural backgrounds, living at different latitudes. Mature milk was derived from 181 lactating women in the Netherlands, Curaçao, Vietnam, Malaysia and Tanzania. Milk ARA and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were analysed by liquid-chromatography-MS/MS; milk fatty acids were analysed by GC-flame ionisation detector (FID). None of the mothers reached the milk vitamin D AI. Milk ARA (n; median; range) were as follows: Netherlands (n 9; 46 IU/l; 3-51), Curaçao (n 10; 31 IU/l; 5-113), Vietnam: Halong Bay (n 20; 58 IU/l; 23-110), Phu Tho (n 22; 28 IU/l; 1-62), Tien Giang (n 20; 63 IU/l; 26-247), Ho-Chi-Minh-City (n 18; 49 IU/l; 24-116), Hanoi (n 21; 37 IU/l; 11-118), Malaysia-Kuala Lumpur (n 20; 14 IU/l; 1-46) and Tanzania-Ukerewe (n 21; 77 IU/l; 12-232) and Maasai (n 20; 88 IU/l; 43-189). We collected blood samples of these lactating women in Curaçao, Vietnam and from Tanzania-Ukerewe, and found that 33·3 % had plasma 25(OH)D levels between 80 and 249·9 nmol/l, 47·3 % between 50 and 79·9 nmol/l and 19·4 % between 25 and 49·9 nmol/l. Milk ARA correlated positively with maternal plasma 25(OH)D (range 27-132 nmol/l, r 0·40) and milk EPA+DHA (0·1-3·1 g%, r 0·20), and negatively with latitude (2°S-53°N, r -0·21). Milk ARA of mothers with lifetime abundant sunlight exposure is not even close to the vitamin D AI for 0-6-month-old infants. Our data may point at the importance of adequate fetal vitamin D stores.
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21
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Marciniak S, Perry GH. Harnessing ancient genomes to study the history of human adaptation. Nat Rev Genet 2017; 18:659-674. [PMID: 28890534 DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2017.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The past several years have witnessed an explosion of successful ancient human genome-sequencing projects, with genomic-scale ancient DNA data sets now available for more than 1,100 ancient human and archaic hominin (for example, Neandertal) individuals. Recent 'evolution in action' analyses have started using these data sets to identify and track the spatiotemporal trajectories of genetic variants associated with human adaptations to novel and changing environments, agricultural lifestyles, and introduced or co-evolving pathogens. Together with evidence of adaptive introgression of genetic variants from archaic hominins to humans and emerging ancient genome data sets for domesticated animals and plants, these studies provide novel insights into human evolution and the evolutionary consequences of human behaviour that go well beyond those that can be obtained from modern genomic data or the fossil and archaeological records alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Marciniak
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - George H Perry
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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22
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Kleisner K, Kočnar T, Tureček P, Stella D, Akoko RM, Třebický V, Havlíček J. African and European perception of African female attractiveness. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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23
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Jablonski NG, Chaplin G. The colours of humanity: the evolution of pigmentation in the human lineage. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 372:20160349. [PMID: 28533464 PMCID: PMC5444068 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are a colourful species of primate, with human skin, hair and eye coloration having been influenced by a great variety of evolutionary forces throughout prehistory. Functionally naked skin has been the physical interface between the physical environment and the human body for most of the history of the genus Homo, and hence skin coloration has been under intense natural selection. From an original condition of protective, dark, eumelanin-enriched coloration in early tropical-dwelling Homo and Homo sapiens, loss of melanin pigmentation occurred under natural selection as Homo sapiens dispersed into non-tropical latitudes of Africa and Eurasia. Genes responsible for skin, hair and eye coloration appear to have been affected significantly by population bottlenecks in the course of Homo sapiens dispersals. Because specific skin colour phenotypes can be created by different combinations of skin colour-associated genetic markers, loss of genetic variability due to genetic drift appears to have had negligible effects on the highly redundant genetic 'palette' for the skin colour. This does not appear to have been the case for hair and eye coloration, however, and these traits appear to have been more strongly influenced by genetic drift and, possibly, sexual selection.This article is part of the themed issue 'Animal coloration: production, perception, function and application'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - George Chaplin
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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24
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Brickley MB, D’Ortenzio L, Kahlon B, Schattmann A, Ribot I, Raguin E, Bertrand B. Ancient Vitamin D Deficiency: Long-Term Trends. CURRENT ANTHROPOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1086/691683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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25
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Jonnalagadda M, Bharti N, Patil Y, Ozarkar S, K SM, Joshi R, Norton H. Identifying signatures of positive selection in pigmentation genes in two South Asian populations. Am J Hum Biol 2017; 29. [PMID: 28439965 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Skin pigmentation is a polygenic trait showing wide phenotypic variations among global populations. While numerous pigmentation genes have been identified to be under positive selection among European and East populations, genes contributing to phenotypic variation in skin pigmentation within and among South Asian populations are still poorly understood. The present study uses data from the Phase 3 of the 1000 genomes project focusing on two South Asian populations-GIH (Gujarati Indian from Houston, Texas) and ITU (Indian Telugu from UK), so as to decode the genetic architecture involved in adaptation to ultraviolet radiation in South Asian populations. METHODS Statistical tests included were (1) tests to identify deviations of the Site Frequency Spectrum (SFS) from neutral expectations (Tajima's D, Fay and Wu's H and Fu and Li's D* and F*), (2) tests focused on the identification of high-frequency haplotypes with extended linkage disequilibrium (iHS and Rsb), and (3) tests based on genetic differentiation between populations (LSBL). RESULTS Twenty-two pigmentation genes fall in the top 1% for at least one statistic in the GIH population, 5 of which (LYST, OCA2, SLC24A5, SLC45A2, and TYR) have been previously associated with normal variation in skin, hair, or eye color. In comparison, 17 genes fall in the top 1% for at least one statistic in the ITU population. Twelve loci which are identified as outliers in the ITU scan were also identified in the GIH population. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that selection may have affected these loci broadly across the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjari Jonnalagadda
- Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (SSLA), Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune, 411014, India
| | - Neeraj Bharti
- HPC-MBA Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Yatish Patil
- HPC-MBA Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Shantanu Ozarkar
- Department of Anthropology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Sunitha Manjari K
- HPC-MBA Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Rajendra Joshi
- HPC-MBA Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Heather Norton
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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26
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Bandera Merchan B, Morcillo S, Martin-Nuñez G, Tinahones FJ, Macías-González M. The role of vitamin D and VDR in carcinogenesis: Through epidemiology and basic sciences. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 167:203-218. [PMID: 27913313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the last two decades vitamin D (VD) research has demonstrated new extraskeletal actions of this pre-hormone, suggesting a protective role of this secosteroid in the onset, progression and prognosis of several chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus or cancer. Regarding carcinogenesis, both preclinical and epidemiological evidence available show oncoprotective actions of VD and its receptor, the VDR. However, in late neoplastic stages the VD system (VDS) seems to be less functional, which appears to be due to an epigenetic silencing of the system. In preclinical experimental studies, VD presents oncoprotective actions through modulation of inflammation, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, angiogenesis, invasive and metastatic potential, apoptosis, miRNA expression regulation and modulation of the Hedgehog signalling pathway. Moreover, epidemiological evidence points towards an oncoprotective role of vitamin D and VDR in colorectal cancer. This association is more controversial with breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, although with a few adverse effects. Nonetheless, we should consider other factors to determine the benefit of increased serum concentration of VD. Much of the epidemiological evidence is still inconclusive, and we will have to wait for new, better-designed ongoing RCTs and their results to discern the real effect of vitamin D in cancer risk reduction and therapy. The objective of this literature review is to offer an up-to-date analysis of the role of the VD and VDR, in the onset, progression and prognosis of all types of cancer. We further discuss the available literature and suggest new hypotheses and future challenges in the field of VD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Bandera Merchan
- Unidad de Gestiòn Clìnica y Endocrinologìa y Nutriciòn, Instituto de Investigaciòn Biomèdica de Màlaga (IBIMA),Complejo Hospitalario de Màlaga (Virgen de la Victoria), Universidad de Màlaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain
| | - Sonsoles Morcillo
- CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CB06/03),Instituto Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gracia Martin-Nuñez
- Unidad de Gestiòn Clìnica y Endocrinologìa y Nutriciòn, Instituto de Investigaciòn Biomèdica de Màlaga (IBIMA),Complejo Hospitalario de Màlaga (Virgen de la Victoria), Universidad de Màlaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain
| | - Francisco José Tinahones
- Unidad de Gestiòn Clìnica y Endocrinologìa y Nutriciòn, Instituto de Investigaciòn Biomèdica de Màlaga (IBIMA),Complejo Hospitalario de Màlaga (Virgen de la Victoria), Universidad de Màlaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CB06/03),Instituto Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Macías-González
- Unidad de Gestiòn Clìnica y Endocrinologìa y Nutriciòn, Instituto de Investigaciòn Biomèdica de Màlaga (IBIMA),Complejo Hospitalario de Màlaga (Virgen de la Victoria), Universidad de Màlaga, 29010 Malaga, Spain; CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CB06/03),Instituto Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Grant WB. The UVB-vitamin D 3 -pigment hypothesis is alive and well. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2016; 161:752-755. [PMID: 27554177 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William B Grant
- Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, San Francisco, CA, 94164-1603, USA
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Elias PM, Williams ML. Basis for the gain and subsequent dilution of epidermal pigmentation during human evolution: The barrier and metabolic conservation hypotheses revisited. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2016; 161:189-207. [PMID: 27324932 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of human skin pigmentation must address both the initial evolution of intense epidermal pigmentation in hominins, and its subsequent dilution in modern humans. While many authorities believe that epidermal pigmentation evolved to protect against either ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation-induced mutagenesis or folic acid photolysis, we hypothesize that pigmentation augmented the epidermal barriers by shifting the UV-B dose-response curve from toxic to beneficial. Whereas erythemogenic UV-B doses produce apoptosis and cell death, suberythemogenic doses benefit permeability and antimicrobial function. Heavily melanized melanocytes acidify the outer epidermis and emit paracrine signals that augment barrier competence. Modern humans, residing in the cooler, wetter climes of south-central Europe and Asia, initially retained substantial pigmentation. While their outdoor lifestyles still permitted sufficient cutaneous vitamin D3 (VD3) synthesis, their marginal nutritional status, coupled with cold-induced caloric needs, selected for moderate pigment reductions that diverted limited nutritional resources towards more urgent priorities (=metabolic conservation). The further pigment-dilution that evolved as humans reached north-central Europe (i.e., northern France, Germany), likely facilitated cutaneous VD3 synthesis, while also supporting ongoing, nutritional requirements. But at still higher European latitudes where little UV-B breaches the atmosphere (i.e., present-day UK, Scandinavia, Baltic States), pigment dilution alone could not suffice. There, other nonpigment-related mutations evolved to facilitate VD3 production; for example, in the epidermal protein, filaggrin, resulting in reduced levels of its distal metabolite, trans-urocanic acid, a potent UV-B chromophore. Thus, changes in human pigmentation reflect a complex interplay between latitude, climate, diet, lifestyle, and shifting metabolic priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Elias
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Service, University of California San Francisco, California. .,Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Service, University of California San Francisco, California.
| | - Mary L Williams
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, California.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California
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Chaplin G, Jablonski NG. The human environment and the vitamin D compromise: Scotland as a case study in human biocultural adaptation and disease susceptibility. Hum Biol 2015; 85:529-52. [PMID: 25019187 DOI: 10.3378/027.085.0402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Year-round human habitation of environments with highly seasonal regimes of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) depended on adaptive complexes of biological and cultural traits to ensure adequacy of vitamin D. Perturbations of such adaptive complexes resulting from changes in the physical environment, human behavior and culture, or both have had unexpected and untoward consequences for health. Scotland is an excellent case study of the changing nature of human biocultural adaptation to low-UVB environments. Occupation of Scotland after the last Pleistocene glaciation event about 14,000 YBP was made possible by maximally depigmented skin, which facilitated cutaneous biosynthesis of vitamin D3, and by a diet that emphasized foods rich in vitamin D. Changes in human subsistence and diet began with the introduction of agriculture and grazing about 5,000 YBP and accelerated greatly in the last 200 years through industrialization and urbanization. The resulting changes in domiciles, patterns of daily activity and behavior, and diet have led to reduced exposure to UVB and reduced consumption of vitamin D-rich foods. This has perturbed the "vitamin D compromise," an adaptive complex established in Scotland during the Mesolithic and Neolithic. We describe the UVB environment of Scotland from remotely sensed data and combine these data with information from the archaeological record to describe the vitamin D compromise in Scotland. Changes in human exposure to UVB and vitamin D consumption, which occurred as the result of urbanization and the dietary shift away from the consumption of oily fish, are traced. Vitamin D deficiency contributes to increased disease prevalence in Scotland, including that of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease caused by demyelination of the central nervous system. These conditions have created an "imperfect storm" of poor health that should command the attention of public health experts and policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Chaplin
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
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Saint-Léger D. The colour of the human skin: fruitful science, unsuitable wordings. Int J Cosmet Sci 2015; 37:259-65. [PMID: 25533569 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A review of the various facets of the colour of human skin is proposed. It aims first at illustrating the paradoxical association of the remarkable recent scientific advances that characterize changes in the skin colour, with some totally inappropriate or outdated phrasings used in its communication. As a second objective, it aims at proposing an alternative to these wordings. The latter would combine six shade types, defined by Individual Type Angle (ITA) values, a coloured reference chart and associated colour adjectives, highly corresponding to the six Phototypes previously defined by Fitzpatrick. Such alternative would overcome most references to both ethnic- and ethical-related issues.
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32
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Mozzi A, Forni D, Cagliani R, Pozzoli U, Vertemara J, Bresolin N, Sironi M. Albuminoid genes: evolving at the interface of dispensability and selection. Genome Biol Evol 2014; 6:2983-97. [PMID: 25349266 PMCID: PMC4255767 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The albuminoid gene family comprises vitamin D-binding protein (GC), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), afamin (AFM), and albumin (ALB). Albumin is the most abundant human serum protein, and, as the other family members, acts as a transporter of endogenous and exogenous substances including thyroxine, fatty acids, and drugs. Instead, the major cargo of GC is 25-hydroxyvitamin D. We performed an evolutionary study of albuminoid genes and we show that ALB evolved adaptively in mammals. Most positively selected sites are located within albumin-binding sites for fatty acids and thyroxine, as well as at the contact surface with neonatal Fc receptor. Positive selection was also detected for residues forming the prostaglandin-binding pocket. Adaptation to hibernation/torpor might explain the signatures of episodic positive selection we detected for few mammalian lineages. Application of a population genetics-phylogenetics approach showed that purifying selection represented a major force acting on albuminoid genes in both humans and chimpanzees, with the strongest constraint observed for human GC. Population genetic analysis revealed that GC was also the target of locally exerted selective pressure, which drove the frequency increase of different haplotypes in distinct human populations. A search for known variants that modulate GC and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations revealed linkage disequilibrium with positively selected variants, although European and Asian major GC haplotypes carry alleles with reported opposite effect on GC concentration. Data herein indicate that albumin, an extremely abundant housekeeping protein, was the target of pervasive and episodic selection in mammals, whereas GC represented a selection target during the recent evolution of human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mozzi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Uberto Pozzoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Jacopo Vertemara
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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Tayo BO, Akingbola TS, Salako BL, McKenzie CA, Reid M, Layden J, Osunkwo I, Plange-Rhule J, Luke A, Durazo-Arvizu R, Cooper RS. Vitamin D levels are low in adult patients with sickle cell disease in Jamaica and West Africa. BMC HEMATOLOGY 2014; 14:12. [PMID: 25161768 PMCID: PMC4143569 DOI: 10.1186/2052-1839-14-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Patients with sickle cell disease in the USA have been noted to have lower levels of vitamin D – measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) – compared to controls. Average serum 25(OH)D levels are also substantially lower in African Americans than whites, while population distributions of 25(OH)D among Jamaicans of African descent and West Africans are the same as among USA whites. The purpose of this study was to examine whether adult patients with sickle cell disease living in tropical regions had reduced 25(OH)D relative to the general population. Methods We analyzed serum 25(OH)D in stored samples collected from studies in Jamaica and West Africa of adult patients with sickle cell disease and adult population controls. Results In samples of 20 Jamaicans and 50 West Africans with sickle cell disease mean values of 25(OH)D were 37% and 39% lower than controls, respectively. Metabolic abnormalities in the absorption and conversion pathways are possible causes for the consistent relative deficiency of 25(OH)D in sickle cell disease. Conclusions Low 25(OH)D levels in tropical Africa where the burden of sickle cell disease is highest, deserve further investigation, and a randomized trial is warranted to address efficacy of supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bamidele O Tayo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| | - Titilola S Akingbola
- Department of Hematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Babatunde L Salako
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Colin A McKenzie
- Sickle Cell Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Marvin Reid
- Sickle Cell Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Jennifer Layden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, IL 60153 USA ; Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL USA
| | - Ifeyinwa Osunkwo
- Aflac Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Service Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA USA
| | | | - Amy Luke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| | - Ramon Durazo-Arvizu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| | - Richard S Cooper
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
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López S, García Ó, Yurrebaso I, Flores C, Acosta-Herrera M, Chen H, Gardeazabal J, Careaga JM, Boyano MD, Sánchez A, Ratón-Nieto JA, Sevilla A, Smith-Zubiaga I, de Galdeano AG, Martinez-Cadenas C, Izagirre N, de la Rúa C, Alonso S. The interplay between natural selection and susceptibility to melanoma on allele 374F of SLC45A2 gene in a South European population. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104367. [PMID: 25093503 PMCID: PMC4122405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to study the selective pressures interacting on SLC45A2 to investigate the interplay between selection and susceptibility to disease. Thus, we enrolled 500 volunteers from a geographically limited population (Basques from the North of Spain) and by resequencing the whole coding region and intron 5 of the 34 most and the 34 least pigmented individuals according to the reflectance distribution, we observed that the polymorphism Leu374Phe (L374F, rs16891982) was statistically associated with skin color variability within this sample. In particular, allele 374F was significantly more frequent among the individuals with lighter skin. Further genotyping an independent set of 558 individuals of a geographically wider population with known ancestry in the Spanish population also revealed that the frequency of L374F was significantly correlated with the incident UV radiation intensity. Selection tests suggest that allele 374F is being positively selected in South Europeans, thus indicating that depigmentation is an adaptive process. Interestingly, by genotyping 119 melanoma samples, we show that this variant is also associated with an increased susceptibility to melanoma in our populations. The ultimate driving force for this adaptation is unknown, but it is compatible with the vitamin D hypothesis. This shows that molecular evolution analysis can be used as a useful technology to predict phenotypic and biomedical consequences in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saioa López
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Óscar García
- Ertzaintza Forensic Unit, Erandio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Flores
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario N.S. de Candelaria, Tenerife, Spain
- Applied Genomics Group (G2A), Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Marialbert Acosta-Herrera
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario N.S. de Candelaria, Tenerife, Spain
- Research Unit, Universitary Hospital Dr. Negrin, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Hua Chen
- Center for Computational Genetics and Genomics, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jesús Gardeazabal
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Cruces-Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jesús María Careaga
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - María Dolores Boyano
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Ratón-Nieto
- Dermatology Service, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Cruces-Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Arrate Sevilla
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Isabel Smith-Zubiaga
- Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Alicia García de Galdeano
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Neskuts Izagirre
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Concepción de la Rúa
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Santos Alonso
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
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Evidence That Loss-of-Function Filaggrin Gene Mutations Evolved in Northern Europeans to Favor Intracutaneous Vitamin D3 Production. Evol Biol 2014; 41:388-396. [PMID: 25506102 DOI: 10.1007/s11692-014-9282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Skin pigmentation lightened progressively to a variable extent, as modern humans emigrated out of Africa, but extreme lightening occurred only in northern Europeans. Yet, loss of pigmentation alone cannot suffice to sustain cutaneous vitamin D3 (VD3) formation at the high latitudes of northern Europe. We hypothesized that loss-of-function mutations in the epidermal structural protein, filaggrin (FLG), could have evolved to sustain adequate VD3 status. Loss of FLG results in reduced generation of trans-urocanic acid, the principal endogenous ultraviolet-B (UV-B) filter in lightly-pigmented individuals. Accordingly, we identified a higher prevalence of FLG mutations in northern European populations when compared to more southern European, Asian and African populations that correlates significantly with differences in circulating 25-OH-VD3 levels in these same populations. By allowing additional UV-B penetration and intracutaneous VD3 formation, the latitude-dependent gradient in FLG mutations, likely together with other concurrent mutations in VD3 metabolic pathways, provide a non-pigment-based mechanism that sustains higher levels of circulating VD3 in northern Europeans. At the time that FLG mutations evolved, xerosis due to FLG deficiency was a lesser price to pay for enhanced VD3 production. Yet, the increase in FLG mutations has inadvertently contributed to an epidemic of atopic diseases that has emerged in recent decades.
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Nguyen MT, Silverman AI, Nelson KL. Sunlight inactivation of MS2 coliphage in the absence of photosensitizers: modeling the endogenous inactivation rate using a photoaction spectrum. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:3891-8. [PMID: 24575954 DOI: 10.1021/es405323p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The endogenous sunlight inactivation rates of MS2 coliphage in photosensitizer-free water were measured (kobs) under different light conditions and compared to modeled inactivation rates (kmod) computed using a previously published action spectrum. Experiments were conducted under simulated and natural sunlight. There was generally good agreement between modeled and observed MS2 sunlight inactivation rates in the summer and winter, suggesting that the action spectrum can be used to predict changes in the inactivation rate caused by diurnal and seasonal changes in natural sunlight irradiance. However, we show that a major source of uncertainty in the predictions is the ability to accurately measure or model the comparatively weak and highly variable solar irradiance between 280 and 300 nm, a range to which the inactivation rate is very sensitive. The action spectrum was also used to predict the endogenous inactivation rates of MS2 at different depths in a column of strongly humic-colored [i.e., solar ultraviolet (UV)-attenuating] wetland water under simulated sunlight; we observed fairly good agreement between kobs and kmod, suggesting that the action spectrum can be used to estimate the decrease in the endogenous inactivation rate caused by spectrally selective sunlight attenuation in the water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi T Nguyen
- Re-Inventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt) Engineering Research Center (ERC)
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Jablonski NG, Chaplin G. The evolution of skin pigmentation and hair texture in people of African ancestry. Dermatol Clin 2014; 32:113-21. [PMID: 24679998 DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Our species, Homo sapiens, evolved in Africa, and humanity's highest levels of genetic diversity are maintained there today. Underlying genetic diversity combined with the great range of solar regimes and climatic conditions found in Africa has contributed to a wide range of human integumentary phenotypes within the continent. Millions of Africans have moved, voluntarily and involuntarily, to other continents in the past 2000 years, and the range of integumentary phenotypes among admixed African diaspora populations is enormous. In this contribution, we do not catalog this variation, but provide basic evolutionary background as to how it developed in the first place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - George Chaplin
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Dunn RH, Tocheri MW, Orr CM, Jungers WL. Ecological divergence and talar morphology in gorillas. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2013; 153:526-41. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H. Dunn
- Department of Anatomy; Des Moines University; Des Moines IA 50312
| | - Matthew W. Tocheri
- Human Origins Program, Department of Anthropology; National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution; Washington DC 20560
- Center for the Advanced Study of Hominid Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology; The George Washington University; Washington DC 20052
| | - Caley M. Orr
- Department of Anatomy; Midwestern University; Downers Grove IL 60515
| | - William L. Jungers
- Department of Anatomical Sciences; Stony Brook University; Stony Brook NY 11794
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Jablonski NG, Chaplin G. Epidermal pigmentation in the human lineage is an adaptation to ultraviolet radiation. J Hum Evol 2013; 65:671-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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40
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Elias PM, Williams ML. Re-appraisal of current theories for the development and loss of epidermal pigmentation in hominins and modern humans. J Hum Evol 2013; 64:687-92. [PMID: 23478159 PMCID: PMC3654079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Revised: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Elias
- Dermatology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street, MS 190, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
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Weishaar T, Vergili JM. Vitamin D status is a biological determinant of health disparities. J Acad Nutr Diet 2013; 113:643-51. [PMID: 23415504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In human beings, dark skin requires more exposure to ultraviolet light to synthesize the same amount of vitamin D as lighter skin. It is has been repeatedly shown that at the latitude of the United States there are vitamin D disparities related to skin color. Although inadequate vitamin D status and health disparities have been associated with many of the same diseases, neither nutrition policy nor public health policy in the United States currently recognizes any role at all for vitamin D as a determinant of health disparities. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the relationship between health, skin color, and vitamin D nutriture in the US population. DESIGN The design is cross-sectional, correlational, and can be generalized to the population of the United States. PARTICIPANTS We used data from 12,505 (unweighted) subjects (3,402 non-Hispanic blacks, 3,143 Mexican Americans, and 5,960 non-Hispanic whites), aged 13 years or older, from the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Self-rated health, a repeatedly validated indicator of objective health status, was used as a continuous measure of health. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Using software appropriate for the complex survey design of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the study consisted of six regression models, one predicting vitamin D status and five predicting self-rated health. RESULTS Controlling for the covariates sex, interview language, country of birth, tobacco use, age, body mass index, and leisure exercise as well as the socioeconomic variables education and family income, remaining disparities in self-rated health are greatly reduced or eliminated by controlling for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. CONCLUSIONS We found that socioeconomic factors are the strongest determinant of skin-color based health disparities in the US population, but that it may not be possible to eliminate health disparities in the United States without eliminating the skin-color-related disparities in vitamin D nutriture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Weishaar
- Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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Costa-Lima MA, Amorim MR, Orioli IM. Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene 677C > T polymorphism and Down syndrome. Mol Biol Rep 2012. [PMID: 23184006 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-2270-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The association between Down syndrome (DS) and maternal polymorphisms in genes encoding folic acid metabolizing enzymes remains a controversial issue. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association of maternal MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism and the risk of having a child with DS. Case-control studies were screened from major literature databases. Twenty articles from 13 countries worldwide, with a total of 2,101 DS and 2,702 control mothers, attended the inclusion criteria. We found a 50 % increase for the association of maternal homozygous TT genotype and DS in both fixed (OR = 1.51; 95 % CI 1.22-1.87) and random effects models (OR 1.54; 95 % 1.15-2.05). Similarly, a significant pooled OR was found for the heterozygote CT, with an OR 1.26; 95 % CI 1.10-1.43 (fixed effects model) and OR 1.28; 95 % 1.08-1.51 (random effects model). As ultra-violet B solar radiation highly depends on latitude, and can promote, in less pigmented skin, intravascular folate photolysis, we stratified the analysis by latitude region, defining as Tropical (between 23.5(°) S and 23.5(°) N), Sub-Tropical (between 23.5(°) and 40(°) N and S), and Northern (≥ 40(o) N). Significant association was only found for Sub-Tropical area, both using fixed and random effect models. In conclusion, MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism is a moderate risk factor for DS for some populations, and populations located in Sub-Tropical region seem to be at greater risk. Latitude, ethnicity, skin pigmentation, and red blood cell folate are important variables to be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Aguiar Costa-Lima
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Jablonski NG, Chaplin G. Human skin pigmentation, migration and disease susceptibility. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2012; 367:785-92. [PMID: 22312045 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human skin pigmentation evolved as a compromise between the conflicting physiological demands of protection against the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and photosynthesis of UVB-dependent vitamin D(3). Living under high UVR near the equator, ancestral Homo sapiens had skin rich in protective eumelanin. Dispersals outside of the tropics were associated with positive selection for depigmentation to maximize cutaneous biosynthesis of pre-vitamin D(3) under low and highly seasonal UVB conditions. In recent centuries, migrations and high-speed transportation have brought many people into UVR regimes different from those experienced by their ancestors and, accordingly, exposed them to new disease risks. These have been increased by urbanization and changes in diet and lifestyle. Three examples-nutritional rickets, multiple sclerosis (MS) and cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM)-are chosen to illustrate the serious health effects of mismatches between skin pigmentation and UVR. The aetiology of MS in particular provides insight into complex and contingent interactions of genetic and environmental factors necessary to trigger lethal disease states. Low UVB levels and vitamin D deficiencies produced by changes in location and lifestyle pose some of the most serious disease risks of the twenty-first century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Beall CM, Jablonski NG, Steegmann AT. Human Adaptation to Climate: Temperature, Ultraviolet Radiation, and Altitude. Hum Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/9781118108062.ch6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Yao S, Zirpoli G, Bovbjerg DH, Jandorf L, Hong CC, Zhao H, Sucheston LE, Tang L, Roberts M, Ciupak G, Davis W, Hwang H, Johnson CS, Trump DL, McCann SE, Ademuyiwa F, Pawlish KS, Bandera EV, Ambrosone CB. Variants in the vitamin D pathway, serum levels of vitamin D, and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer among African-American women: a case-control study. Breast Cancer Res 2012; 14:R58. [PMID: 22480149 PMCID: PMC3446393 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Revised: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction American women of African ancestry (AA) are more likely than European Americans (EA) to have estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) is low in AAs, and was associated with ER-negative tumors in EAs. We hypothesized that racial differences in 25OHD levels, as well as in inherited genetic variations, may contribute, in part, to the differences in tumor characteristics. Methods In a case (n = 928)-control (n = 843) study of breast cancer in AA and EA women, we measured serum 25OHD levels in controls and tested associations between risk and tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VDR, CYP24A1 and CYP27B1, particularly by ER status. Results More AAs had severe vitamin D deficiency (< 10 ng/ml) than EAs (34.3% vs 5.9%), with lowest levels among those with the highest African ancestry. Associations for SNPs differed by race. Among AAs, VDR SNP rs2239186, associated with higher serum levels of 25OHD, decreased risk after correction for multiple testing (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.31-0.79, p by permutation = 0.03), but had no effect in EAs. The majority of associations were for ER-negative breast cancer, with seven differential associations between AA and EA women for CYP24A1 (p for interaction < 0.10). SNP rs27622941 was associated with a > twofold increased risk of ER-negative breast cancer among AAs (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.38-4.98), but had no effect in EAs. rs2209314 decreased risk among EAs (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.20-0.73), with no associations in AAs. The increased risk of ER-negative breast cancer in AAs compared to EAs was reduced and became non-significant (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.80-1.79) after adjusting for these two CYP24A1 SNPs. Conclusions These data suggest that genetic variants in the vitamin D pathway may be related to the higher prevalence of ER-negative breast cancer in AA women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Yao
- Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
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Hancock AM, Witonsky DB, Alkorta-Aranburu G, Beall CM, Gebremedhin A, Sukernik R, Utermann G, Pritchard JK, Coop G, Di Rienzo A. Adaptations to climate-mediated selective pressures in humans. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1001375. [PMID: 21533023 PMCID: PMC3080864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans inhabit a remarkably diverse range of environments, and adaptation through natural selection has likely played a central role in the capacity to survive and thrive in extreme climates. Unlike numerous studies that used only population genetic data to search for evidence of selection, here we scan the human genome for selection signals by identifying the SNPs with the strongest correlations between allele frequencies and climate across 61 worldwide populations. We find a striking enrichment of genic and nonsynonymous SNPs relative to non-genic SNPs among those that are strongly correlated with these climate variables. Among the most extreme signals, several overlap with those from GWAS, including SNPs associated with pigmentation and autoimmune diseases. Further, we find an enrichment of strong signals in gene sets related to UV radiation, infection and immunity, and cancer. Our results imply that adaptations to climate shaped the spatial distribution of variation in humans. Classical studies that examined the global distributions of human physiological traits such as pigmentation, basal metabolic rate, and body shape and size suggested that natural selection related to climate has been important during recent human evolutionary history. We scanned the human genome using data for about 650,000 variants in 61 worldwide populations to look for correlations between allele frequencies and 9 climate variables and found evidence for adaptations to climate at the genome-wide level. In addition, we detected compelling signals for individual SNPs involved in pigmentation and immune response, as well as for pathways related to UV radiation, infection and immunity, and cancer. A particularly appealing aspect of this approach is that we identify a set of candidate advantageous SNPs associated with specific biological hypotheses, which will be useful for follow-up testing. We developed an online resource to browse the results of our data analyses, allowing researchers to quickly assess evidence for selection in a particular genomic region and to compare it across several studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Hancock
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - David B. Witonsky
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Gorka Alkorta-Aranburu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Cynthia M. Beall
- Department of Anthropology, Case Western Research University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Amha Gebremedhin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rem Sukernik
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Gerd Utermann
- Institute for Medical Biology and Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jonathan K. Pritchard
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Graham Coop
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Evolution and Ecology and Center for Population Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Anna Di Rienzo
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Osborne DL, Weaver CM, McAbe LD, McCabe GM, Novotny R, Boushey C, Savaiano DA. Tanning predicts bone mass but not structure in adolescent females living in Hawaii. Am J Hum Biol 2011; 23:470-8. [PMID: 21495109 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.21158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Revised: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 01/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relationship between facultative skin pigmentation, which predicts circulating levels of plasma 25-hydroxymitamin D, and several measures of bone mass and structure in a cross sectional sample of adolescent females living in Hawaii. METHODS Our sample was composed of adolescent females (n = 94) living in Hawaii where seasonal sun exposure is minimal, and who self-identified as either white (n = 16) or Asian (n = 78). Bone mineral content (BMC) of the total body, the lumbar spine and the hip, and cross sectional area (CSA) and section modulus (Z) at the proximal femur were quantified using DXA. Facultative skin pigmentation was measured at the forehead and non-facultative skin pigmentation was measured at the inner arm using a Chroma Meter CR-200b colorimeter. RESULTS There were no significant differences between ethnic groups in terms of skin pigmentation. The difference between a* taken at the forehead and inner upper arm significantly predicted BMC at the lumbar spine, total hip, and total body. Other measures of skin pigmentation were not significant predictors of any other measure of skeletal integrity. CONCLUSIONS The difference between facultative and non-facultative skin pigmentation for a* is a significant predictor BMC, but not bone structure. Our findings are limited by an inability to control for long term UVA and UVB exposure and lack of a measure of serum 25(OH)D status. Further research is needed to examine these questions, particularly in populations who live at high latitudes where a winter season limits vitamin D(3) synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Osborne
- Department of Anthropology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68588, USA.
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Abstract
Mandatory and discretionary fortification with folic acid is eliminating deficiency of this vitamin. Blood levels of the vitamin have never been higher, with hematologic folate values commonly exceeding the upper range of calibration. The synthetic analog (pteroylmonoglutamic acid) prevents neural tube defects and lowers homocysteine, both positive attributes, yet negative correlates of pteroylmonoglutamic acid are increasingly reported. These involve increased risk for common cancers (ie, colon, breast, prostate) and antimetabolite effects on natural killer cells and at dihydrofolate reductase, a critical gatekeeper enzyme. This review, however, takes a different, human ecological perspective, examining novel folate-related phenomena distinct from the classic metabolic role of the vitamin in maintaining health and well-being. An argument is developed that at molecular, cellular, and organism levels, folate is crucial to some important events that link light to life.
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Grant WB, Juzeniene A, Moan JE. Review Article: Health benefit of increased serum 25(OH)D levels from oral intake and ultraviolet-B irradiance in the Nordic countries. Scand J Public Health 2011; 39:70-78. [DOI: 10.1177/1403494810382473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Aims: A low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level is a risk factor for many diseases, including musculoskeletal diseases, many types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and brain diseases. This report estimates the reduction in mortality rates for the five Nordic countries for an increase in population mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level to 105 nmol/L. Methods: Serum vitamin D dose—incidence/prognosis relationships can be developed with significant levels of reliability for most vitamin D-sensitive diseases on the basis of ecological, cross-sectional, and observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analysis of such studies. These dose—response relations are used to estimate the population-wide benefit of raising mean serum 25(OH)D concentration to 105 nmol/L for the five Nordic countries. Results: From this study, the reductions in mortality rates possible by raising population mean serum 25(OH)D levels to 105 nmol/L are: Denmark, 17% (estimated range,11%—24%); Finland, 24% (17%—32%); Iceland, 24% (17%—32%); Norway, 18% (11%—26%); and Sweden, 18% (8%—25%). Conclusions: Reaching these levels would require changes in health policies with respect to solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiance, vitamin D fortification of food, availability of vitamin D and calcium supplements, and attitude toward use of UVB lamps. Adverse effects of oral vitamin D intake are limited, and those from UVB irradiance are minor compared with the benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B. Grant
- Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center (SUNARC), San Francisco, CA, USA,
| | - Asta Juzeniene
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
| | - Johan E. Moan
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, Oslo, Norway, and Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Callister P, Galtry J, Didham R. The risks and benefits of sun exposure: should skin colour or ethnicity be the main variable for communicating health promotion messages in New Zealand? ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2011; 16:57-71. [PMID: 21213156 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2010.527925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using New Zealand as a case study, to determine whether ethnicity is appropriate for communicating sun exposure health promotion messages. DESIGN This study reviews recent literature on minimising skin cancer risk and achieving sufficient serum vitamin D levels. It draws on a variety of scientific literature, reports and media statements to determine appropriate sun exposure messages for minimising skin cancer risk and achieving sufficient vitamin D status among the New Zealand population, which is diverse with regards to both ethnicity and skin colour. RESULT(S) Due to a unique combination of factors, New Zealand and Australia lead the world in melanoma incidence. Devising ways of minimising skin cancer risk and achieving optimal vitamin D blood levels among the New Zealand population provide major challenges for researchers and health promoters. These challenges include the many unknowns and uncertainties about vitamin D, such as determining what constitutes an optimal level as well as its association with specific diseases. There is strong evidence that skin cancer, including melanoma, is caused by excess harmful sun exposure with skin colour having long been established as a risk factor. More recently, there has been significant focus in New Zealand on the potential beneficial aspects of sun exposure, mainly in assisting vitamin D synthesis, especially for Maori and Pacific people. But research also shows that Maori and Pacific people are increasingly at risk of developing melanoma. In New Zealand, where there is a high rate of ethnic intermarriage and ethnicity is culturally constructed, there is likely to have been a weakening of the relationship between ethnicity and skin colour. Skin colour information is required to understand both the risks and benefits of sun exposure. In the immediate future, ethnicity appears likely to remain an important reference point for assessing the risks and benefits of sun exposure in New Zealand. However, we contend that while ethnic-based channels may be useful for communicating appropriate sun exposure messages, there are dangers in such advice based on membership of particular ethnic group(s). Rather skin colour, along with other key variables, such as season and time of day, should be the core considerations for assessing and discussing risk. In the longer term, direct measures of skin type are needed when assessing the risks and benefits of sun exposure, including the potential protective effects against various illnesses. CONCLUSION While ethnic-based dissemination channels may be useful for communicating about the risks and benefits of sun exposure in New Zealand, discussion of risk factors should focus on skin colour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Callister
- Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
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