Morton, Gould, and Bias: A Comment on The Mismeasure of Science

Stephen Jay Gould famously used the work of Samuel George Morton (1799–1851) to illustrate how unconscious racial bias could affect scientific measurement. Morton had published measurements of the average cranial capacities of different races, measurements that Gould reanalyzed in an article in Science [1] and then later in his widely read book The Mismeasure of Man [2]. During the course of this reanalysis, Gould discovered prima facie evidence of unconscious racial bias in Morton’s measurements. More than 30 years later, Lewis et al. published a critique of this analysis [3], denying that Morton’s measurements were biased by his racism. Instead, they claim that their “results falsify Gould’s hypothesis that Morton manipulated his data to conform with his a priori views.” We believe this is mistaken, and our comment will explain why

Defective expression of basement membrane-associated C3d,g in papulonodular basal cell carcinomas

AbstractRecent studies in our laboratory have shown that C3d,g, a 41,000-Da fragment of the third component of complement, is present along the base of the lamina densa and in the sublamina densa region of normal human epidermal basement membrane, but absent from the skin of a patient with congenital C3 deficiency. In studies of human skin, papulonodular basal cell carcinomas have served as a useful model for the investigation of various basement membrane antigens and matrix proteins. To further investigate the presence of C3d,g within epidermal basement membrane as well as examine its relationship with other known basement membrane constituents, we have analyzed serial sections of ten papulonodular basal cell carcinomas by light and immunofluorescence microscopy. In these studies, C3d,g was either absent (N = 9) or minimumly detectable (N = 1) in tumor nest basement membranes. While bullous pemphigoid and KF-1 antigens were absent (N = 6 and N = 3, respectively) or significantly decreased (N = 4 and N = 7, respectively), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita antigen was routinely present though somewhat (N = 3) or moderately decreased (N = 3).Laminin and type IV collagen were expressed normally in all tumor nest basement membranes. All constituents, including C3d,g, were present in adjacent normal epidermal basement membrane of these tumor samples. This study has demonstrated antigenic alterations within each ultrastructural subregion of papulonodular basal cell carcinoma tumor nest basement membranes by identifying the virtual absence of C3d,g (sublamina densa) as well as a significant reduction in KF-1 (lamina densa) and bullous pemphigoid (lamina lucida) antigens. Moreover, the presence of laminin, type IV collagen, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita antigen in tumor nest basement membranes suggests that these particular constituents neither cleave C3 nor act as essential binding sites for passive incorporation of this complement component in epidermal basement membrane. These studies give additional support to the hypothesis that C3d,g is a previously unrecognized constituent of normal epidermal basement membrane and does not represent passive incorporation of circulating C3 at this site in human skin

Efficacy of afoxolaner against Dermacentor variabilis ticks in dogs

AbstractEfficacy of afoxolaner, a novel isoxazoline insecticide/acaricide, against Dermacentor variabilis ticks was confirmed in two laboratory studies. Each study utilized a controlled, randomized block design. One day prior to treatment, beagle dogs were infested with 50 unfed adult ticks. Repeat infestations were performed weekly for four weeks. The number of live ticks remaining on each dog was determined 48h after treatment and after each subsequent infestation. A single oral treatment with a dose approaching the minimum effective dose of afoxolaner (2.5mg/kg) eliminated the pre-existing infestations by D. variabilis ticks and controlled weekly re-infestations with 99.7–100% efficacy up to Day 23 and >97% efficacy at Day 30

Holding back the genes: limitations of research into canine behavioural genetics

Canine behaviours that are both desirable and undesirable to owners have a demonstrable genetic component. Some behaviours are breed-specific, such as the livestock guarding by maremmas and flank sucking seen in Dobermanns. While the identification of genes responsible for common canine diseases is rapidly advancing, those genes underlying behaviours remain elusive. The challenges of accurately defining and measuring behavioural phenotypes remain an obstacle, and the use of variable phenotyping methods has prevented meta-analysis of behavioural studies. International standardised testing protocols and terminology in canine behavioural evaluations should facilitate selection against behavioural disorders in the modern dog and optimise breeding success and performance in working dogs. This review examines the common hurdles faced by researchers of behavioural genetics and the current state of knowledge

MOBILE and the provision of total joint replacement

Modern joint replacements have been available for 45 years, but we still do not have clear indications for these interventions, and we do not know how to optimize the outcome for patients who agree to have them done. The MOBILE programme has been investigating these issues in relation to primary total hip and knee joint replacements, using mixed methods research

Work-type influences perceived livestock herding success in Australian Working Kelpies

Background Working dog handlers and breeders have very different behavioural requirements in the animals that they employ for managing livestock. The Australian Working Kelpie breed may be used in several working contexts, notably yards, paddocks and a combination of both. The working context influences the skillsets required and gives rise to three corresponding work-types: Yard, Paddock and Utility Kelpies. In particular, dogs used for working stock in the confines of yards and trucks interact with stock more forcefully than those mustering in larger areas (paddocks) where they can herd stock effectively from a greater distance. This article explores owner assessments of dog working quality and assessment of genomic similarity by multidimensional scaling, to ask whether it is sufficient for breeders to aim for a multipurpose breeding objective, or whether breeding only specialist lines maximises user satisfaction for yard and paddock work. Results Reported owner perceptions of 298 dogs assessed with the Livestock Herding Dog assessment tool showed that dog handlers across all working types were very happy with their dogs’ level of general skills. Compared with both Yard and Utility Kelpies, Paddock Kelpies had significantly lower trait scores for force(pressure applied by the dog to move livestock), willingness to back the stock (run along a sheep’s dorsum) and bite (frequency of using the mouth to grab or bite the livestock). Meanwhile, compared with both Paddock and Utility Kelpies, the Yard Kelpies had significantly higher scores for hyperactivity and excitability (both with and without stock) and impulsiveness without stock. As one would predict for all-rounders, Utility Kelpies had intermediate scores for all behaviours and working traits. Conclusions Specialist characteristics were displayed by dogs in the Yard Kelpie and Paddock Kelpie groups. In particular, Yard Kelpies demonstrate higher excitability, willingness to back the stock, and a higher tendency to bark and bite the stock. Conversely, Paddock Kelpies rarely display these characteristics. Utility Kelpies, as the name suggests, are intermediate between the other two groups and display the characteristics of both. Genetic analysis suggests that the Yard, Utility and Paddock Kelpies are not distinguishable at a DNA level. In conclusion, at this time there is no suggestion of a breed split in the Australian Working Kelpie generated by selection for work type. A common breeding objective should enable dogs to be produced that fulfil all potential working requirements. This reinforces the importance of breeder skill in recognising the phenotypic potential of pups in order to place them in appropriate working contexts

“It's Ok, We're Not Cousins by Blood”: The Cousin Marriage Controversy in Historical Perspective

Marriage between first cousins is highly stigmatized in the West and, indeed, is illegal in 31 US states. But is the hostility to such marriage scientifically well-grounded

Evolution from adherent to suspension: systems biology of HEK293 cell line development

The need for new safe and efficacious therapies has led to an increased focus on biologics produced in mammalian cells. The human cell line HEK293 has bio-synthetic potential for human-like production attributes and is currently used for manufacturing of several therapeutic proteins and viral vectors. Despite the increased popularity of this strain we still have limited knowledge on the genetic composition of its derivatives. Here we present a genomic, transcriptomic and metabolic gene analysis of six of the most widely used HEK293 cell lines. Changes in gene copy and expression between industrial progeny cell lines and the original HEK293 were associated with cellular component organization, cell motility and cell adhesion. Changes in gene expression between adherent and suspension derivatives highlighted switching in cholesterol biosynthesis and expression of five key genes (RARG, ID1, ZIC1, LOX and DHRS3), a pattern validated in 63 human adherent or suspension cell lines of other origin