Automated artificial intelligence-based three-dimensional comparison of orthodontic treatment outcomes with and without piezocision surgery.

OBJECTIVE(S): This study aims to evaluate the influence of the piezocision surgery in the orthodontic biomechanics, as well as in the magnitude and direction of tooth movement in the mandibular arch using novel artificial intelligence (AI)-automated tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients, who had piezocision performed in the lower arch at the beginning of treatment with the goal of accelerating tooth movement, were compared to 19 patients who did not receive piezocision. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and intraoral scans (IOS) were acquired before and after orthodontic treatment. AI-automated dental tools were used to segment and locate landmarks in dental crowns from IOS and root canals from CBCT scans to quantify 3D tooth movement. Differences in mesial-distal, buccolingual, intrusion and extrusion linear movements, as well as tooth long axis angulation and rotation were compared. RESULTS: The treatment time for the control and experimental groups were 13.2 ± 5.06 and 13 ± 5.52 months respectively (P = .176). Overall, anterior and posterior tooth movement presented similar 3D linear and angular changes in the groups. The piezocision group demonstrated greater (P = .01) mesial long axis angulation of lower right first premolar (4.4 ± 6°) compared with control group (0.02 ± 4.9°), while the mesial rotation was significantly smaller (P = .008) in the experimental group (0.5 ± 7.8°) than in the control (8.5 ± 9.8°) considering the same tooth. CONCLUSION: The open source-automated dental tools facilitated the clinicians' assessment of piezocision treatment outcomes. The piezocision surgery prior to the orthodontic treatment did not decrease the treatment time and did not influence in the orthodontic biomechanics, leading to similar tooth movements compared to conventional treatment.

Dental long axes using digital dental models compared to cone-beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Standard methods of evaluating tooth long axes are not comparable (digital dental models [DDMs], panoramic and cephalometric radiographs) or expose patients to more radiation (cone-beam computed tomography [CBCT]). This study aimed to compare angular changes in tooth long axes using DDMs vs using CBCTs. SETTINGS AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Secondary data analysis of DDMs and CBCTs, taken before and after orthodontic treatment with piezocision of 24 patients. METHODS: Angular changes in tooth long axes were evaluated using landmarks on first molars (centre of the occlusal surface and centre of the furcation), canines and incisors (cusp tip and centre of the root at the cementoenamel junction). Wilcoxon test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were used to test intra- and inter-rater agreement and compare DDM and CBCT measurements. RESULTS: The mesiodistal angulation and buccolingual inclination DDM measurements were reproducible. Overall mean differences between DDM and CBCT measurements of mesiodistal angulation, 1.9°±1.5°, and buccolingual inclination, 2.2 ± 2.2°, were not significant for all teeth. ICC between DDM and CBCT measurements ranged from good (0.85 molars) to excellent (0.94 canines; 0.96 incisors). The percentages of measurements outside the range of ±5 were 17.4% for molars, 13.8% for canines and 4.5% for incisors. CONCLUSIONS: DDM assessment of changes in tooth long axes has good reproducibility and yields comparable measurements to those obtained from CBCT within a 5° range. These findings lay the groundwork for machine learning approaches that synthesize crown and root canal information towards planning tooth movement without the need for ionizing radiation scans.

Buccal bone defects and transversal tooth movement of mandibular lateral segments in patients after orthodontic treatment with and without piezocision: A case-control retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the extent of buccal bone defects (dehiscences and fenestrations) and transversal tooth movement of mandibular lateral segments in patients after orthodontic treatment with and without piezocision in cone-beam computed tomography and digital dental models. METHODS: The study sample of this study consisted of cone-beam computed tomography scans and digital dental models taken before (T0) and after (T1) orthodontic treatment of 36 patients with moderate mandibular anterior crowding. The experimental group consisted of 17 patients that had piezocision performed at the beginning of treatment with the goal of accelerating tooth movement, which was compared with 19 patients who did not receive piezocision. The measurement of bone defects, buccolingual inclination, and transversal distances of the tooth in the mandibular lateral segments (mandibular canines, premolars, and first molars) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the orthodontic treatment. RESULTS: Overall, an increase in dehiscences, buccal inclination, and arch width from T0 to T1 was observed in both groups, but no statistically significant difference was found between groups. A significant increase in fenestrations from T0 to T1 was observed only for the canines in the experimental group. No statistically significant association was found between the increase of dehiscences and the amount of buccolingual inclination or transversal width changes. However, the changes in transversal width were statistically significantly associated with the increase in buccal inclination at the canines, first and second premolars. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found in buccal dehiscences and transversal tooth movement (buccolingual inclination and arch width) of mandibular lateral segments between patients after orthodontic treatment with and without piezocision. Dehiscences, buccal inclination, and arch width significantly increased from T0 to T1 in both groups.

Comparison of linear and angular changes assessed in digital dental models and cone-beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the three-dimensional (3D) linear displacements and the mesiodistal and buccolingual angulation changes after orthodontic treatment in digital dental models (DDMs) and 3D models derived from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). SETTINGS AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Digital dental model and CBCT scans were selected from 24 adults who had undergone orthodontic treatment for mandibular anterior crowding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 3D linear displacements and changes in angular measurements (mesiodistal and buccolingual angulation) were assessed in pre- and post-treatment DDM and CBCT images using the software ITK-snap and 3D SlicerCMF. Intra- and inter-rater agreement of measurements in DDM and CBCT were tested using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). DDM and CBCT measurements were compared using the Wilcoxon test (P < .05), ICC and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Intra- and inter-rater agreement varied from good (ICC > 0.75) to excellent (ICC > 0.90) for both DDM and CBCT measurements. Although no significant difference between DDM and CBCT methods was observed for linear measurements of tooth movement, the angular assessments were different for most measurements. The agreement between measurements from both assessments varied from poor to excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal assessments of tooth movements including 3D linear displacements and mesiodistal and buccolingual angulation are reproducible when using both DDM and CBCT. Changes in angular measurements due to orthodontic treatment are discordant when measured in the digital models (clinical crown) and in the CBCT images (whole tooth).

Gorgan (Turkmen in Iran) HLA genetics: transplantation, pharmacogenomics and anthropology.

HLA class I and II alleles have been studied in a population from Gorgan (North East Iranian city bordering Turkmenistan). This population is composed of mainly Turkmen who speak Oghuz Turkish language. Comparison of Gorgan people HLA profile has been carried out with about 7984 HLA chromosomes from other worldwide populations; extended haplotypes and three dimension genetic distances have been calculated by using neighbor-joining and correspondence relatedness analyses. Most frequent extended HLA haplotypes show a Siberian/Mediterranean admixture and closest populations are Chuvashians (North Caspian Sea, Russia) and other geographically close populations like Siberian Mansi, Buryats and other Iranians. New extended HLA haplotypes have been found, such as: A*31:01-B*35:01-DRB1*15:01-DQB1*03:01, A*01:01-B*35:01-DRB1*03:01-DQB1*02:01. Relationships of Turkmen with Kurgan (Gorgan) archaeological mounds, Scythians and Sarmatians are discussed. This study is also useful for a future transplantation Gorgan waiting list, Gorgan HLA and disease epidemiology and HLA pharmacogenomics.

Mixtec Mexican Amerindians: an HLA alleles study for America peopling, pharmacogenomics and transplantation.

HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 alleles have been studied in a Mixtec Mexican Amerindian population by indirect DNA sequencing. HLA relatedness has been tested by comparing results with other Amerindians and worldwide populations; a total of 15,681 chromosomes have been used. Genetic distances between populations, Neighbour Joining (NJ) dendrograms and correspondence analyses have been carried out. Conclusions are: 1) Our Mixtec sample from Oaxaca Coastal Mexican area shows an HLA profile different to that of Oaxaca Central Mountains area showing that genes and languages do not correlate which is inferred both by plane genetic distances and NJ dendrograms and correspondence analyses. 2) Genetic distances and NJ dendrograms join together Mazatecan Mexican Amerindians with our studied Coastal Mixtec group; it fits with the historical relationship between Mixtec and Mazatecans. 3) A*24:02-B*35:14-DRB1*04:11, A*02:01-B*15:15-DRB1*04:11 and A*68:03-B*39:08-DRB1*08:02 extended HLA haplotypes have been "de novo" found in our Mixtec Coastal sample. 4) Shared HLA alleles are found between our Pacific Coast Mixtec Amerindians and Pacific Islanders. 5) These results are useful for establishing a future area transplantation waiting list, for the study of HLA linked diseases epidemiology and for pharmacogenomics in certain drug therapy.

Differential Effect of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure Strategies in Patients With ARDS: A Bayesian Analysis of Clinical Subphenotypes.

BACKGROUND: ARDS is a heterogeneous condition with two subphenotypes identified by different methodologies. Our group similarly identified two ARDS subphenotypes using nine routinely available clinical variables. However, whether these are associated with differential response to treatment has yet to be explored. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there differential responses to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) strategies on 28-day mortality according to subphenotypes in adult patients with ARDS? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated data from two prior ARDS trials (Higher vs Lower Positive End-Expiratory Pressures in Patients With the ARDS [ALVEOLI] and the Alveolar Recruitment in ARDS Trial [ART]) that compared different PEEP strategies. We classified patients into one of two subphenotypes as described previously. We assessed the differential effect of PEEP with a Bayesian hierarchical logistic model for the primary outcome of 28-day mortality. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 1,559 patients with ARDS. Compared with lower PEEP, a higher PEEP strategy resulted in higher 28-day mortality in patients with subphenotype A disease in the ALVEOLI study (OR, 1.61; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.90-2.94) and ART (OR, 1.73; 95% CrI, 1.01-2.98), with a probability of harm resulting from higher PEEP in this subphenotype of 94.3% and 97.7% in the ALVEOLI and ART studies, respectively. Higher PEEP was not associated with mortality in patients with subphenotype B disease in each trial (OR, 0.95 [95% CrI, 0.51-1.73] and 1.00 [95% CrI, 0.63-1.55], respectively), with probability of benefit of 56.4% and 50.7% in the ALVEOLI and ART studies, respectively. These effects were not modified by Pao2 to Fio2 ratio, driving pressure, or the severity of illness for the cohorts. INTERPRETATION: We found evidence of differential response to PEEP strategies across two ARDS subphenotypes, suggesting possible harm with a higher PEEP strategy in one subphenotype. These observations may assist with predictive enrichment in future clinical trials.

HLA in Georgians (Caucasus) and their relationship with Eastern Mediterraneans.

HLA-A, -B, -DQB1, and -DRB1 typing has been performed in a sample of Georgian population (South Caucasus). Allele frequencies, neighbour joining and correspondence relatedness analyses and extended HLA haplotypes have been obtained with comparison with other Middle East and Mediterranean populations. Our Georgian sample tends to be genetically related in these analyses with Eastern Mediterraneans and Middle East people. This is important for future regional transplant programs, and Georgian HLA and disease epidemiology and pharmacogenomics.

Amerindians show no association of PPAR-γ2 gene Ala12 allele and obesity: an "unthrifty" variant population genetics.

Obesity is for many scholars the most important starting status that gives rise to Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). In the present paper, a genetically homogeneous Amerindian population, as defined by HLA genes, has been genotyped for one of the MS and T2D predisposing genes: PPAR-γ Ala12 and Pro 12 variants. Ala12 has been negatively associated with obesity, but other authors do not find such an association. Notwithstanding, a meta-analysis that used many subjects clearly demonstrated that PPAR-γ Ala12 bearing ones had a reduced risk for T2D. Our results show that Amerindians do not have association of PPAR-γ2 Ala12 and obesity; the latter was measured by waist circumference values after taken specific Amerindian normal waist parameters. Also, a population genetics study indicates that Pro12 allele was the wild allele, which must have occurred before modern humans left Africa. Ala12 may have appeared in Caucasoids later on, according to our comparisons. Negroids tend to show low or null Ala 12 allele frequencies, while most other populations have a significant frequency, particularly European Caucasoids. This may suggest that appearance of Ala12 allele occurred after populations adapted to an agricultural feeding.

Amerindians show association to obesity with adiponectin gene SNP45 and SNP276: population genetics of a food intake control and "thrifty" gene.

Adiponectin gene polymorphisms SNP45 and SNP276 have been related to metabolic syndrome (MS) and related pathologies, including obesity. However results of associations are contradictory depending on which population is studied. In the present study, these adiponectin SNPs are for the first time studied in Amerindians. Allele frequencies are obtained and comparison with obesity and other MS related parameters are performed. Amerindians were also defined by characteristic HLA genes. Our main results are: (1) SNP276 T is associated to low diastolic blood pressure in Amerindians, (2) SNP45 G allele is correlated with obesity in female but not in male Amerindians, (3) SNP45/SNP276 T/G haplotype in total obese/non-obese subjects tends to show a linkage with non-obese Amerindians, (4) SNP45/SNP276 T/T haplotype is linked to obese Amerindian males. Also, a world population study is carried out finding that SNP45 T and SNP276 T alleles are the most frequent in African Blacks and are found significantly in lower frequencies in Europeans and Asians. This together with the fact that there is a linkage of this haplotype to obese Amerindian males suggest that evolutionary forces related to famine (or population density in relation with available food) may have shaped world population adiponectin polymorphism frequencies.

HLA genetic profile of Mapuche (Araucanian) Amerindians from Chile.

Amerindian Mapuche (Araucanians) are now living in Chile and Argentina at both sides of Andean Mountains. They are anthropologically and genetically different from southernmost South America Patagonian Amerindians. Most of the HLA alleles found in our Mapuche sample are frequent or very frequent in North and South America Amerindians: (1) Class I: A*02:01, A*03:01, A*68:01, B*39:09, B*51:01, (2) Class II: DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04:03, DRB1*07:01, DRB1*08:02, DRB1*14:02, DRB1*16:02. One of the nine most frequent extended haplotypes seems to be from European origin, suggesting the existence of a degree of admixture with Europeans in our Mapuche sample. It has been calculated of about 11 % admixture. Three of the extended haplotypes are also found in other Amerindians and five of them are newly found in Mapuche Amerindians: A*68:01-B*39:09-DRB1*08:02-DQB1*04:02; A*68:01-B*51:01-DRB1*04:03-DQB1*03:02; A*29:01-B*08:01-DRB1*03:01-DQB1*02:01; A*02:01-B*15:01-DRB1*04:03-DQB1*03:02; A*33:01-B*14:02-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*03:03. The medical importance of calculating HLA profile is discussed on the diagnostic (HLA and disease) and therapeutical bases of HLA pharmacogenomics and on the construction of a virtual transplantation HLA list profile. Also, anthropological conclusions are drawn.

Paradoxical glomerular filtration of carbon nanotubes.

The molecular weight cutoff for glomerular filtration is thought to be 30-50 kDa. Here we report rapid and efficient filtration of molecules 10-20 times that mass and a model for the mechanism of this filtration. We conducted multimodal imaging studies in mice to investigate renal clearance of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) construct covalently appended with ligands allowing simultaneous dynamic positron emission tomography, near-infrared fluorescence imaging, and microscopy. These SWCNTs have a length distribution ranging from 100 to 500 nm. The average length was determined to be 200-300 nm, which would yield a functionalized construct with a molecular weight of approximately 350-500 kDa. The construct was rapidly (t(1/2) approximately 6 min) renally cleared intact by glomerular filtration, with partial tubular reabsorption and transient translocation into the proximal tubular cell nuclei. Directional absorption was confirmed in vitro using polarized renal cells. Active secretion via transporters was not involved. Mathematical modeling of the rotational diffusivity showed the tendency of flow to orient SWCNTs of this size to allow clearance via the glomerular pores. Surprisingly, these results raise questions about the rules for renal filtration, given that these large molecules (with aspect ratios ranging from 100:1 to 500:1) were cleared similarly to small molecules. SWCNTs and other novel nanomaterials are being actively investigated for potential biomedical applications, and these observations-that high aspect ratio as well as large molecular size have an impact on glomerular filtration-will allow the design of novel nanoscale-based therapeutics with unusual pharmacologic characteristics.

HLA-DMB alleles and haplotypes in Ecuador (Cuenca) Amerindians: Importance for HLA and disease studies.

HLA-DMB allele frequencies and HLA-DBM-DRB1-DQB1 extended haplotypes were studied for the first time in Amerindians (Cuenca city area, Ecuador). It was found that most common extended haplotypes gathered the most frequent HLA-DRB1 Amerindian alleles. HLA-DMB polymorphism studies may be important to uncover HLA and diseases pathogenesis and also in an extended HLA haplotype frameshift. HLA-DM molecule has a crucial role together with CLIP protein in HLA class II peptide presentation. HLA extended haplotypes including complement and non classical genes alleles are proposed to HLA and disease studies.

Amerindians show no association of PC-1 gene Gln121 allele and obesity: a thrifty gene population genetics.

PC-1 Gln121 gene is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance in European/American Caucasoids and Orientals. We have aimed to correlate for the first time this gene in Amerindians with obesity and their corresponding individuals genotypes with obesity in order to establish preventive medicine programs for this population and also studying the evolution of gene frequencies in world populations. Central obesity was diagnosed by waist circumference perimeter and food intake independent HDL-cholesterol plasma levels were measured. HLA genes were determined in order to more objectively ascertain participants Amerindians origin. 321 Amerindian blood donors who were healthy according to the blood doning parameters were studied. No association was found between PC-1 Gln121 variant and obesity. Significant HDL-cholesterol lower values were found in the PC-1 Lys121 bearing gene individuals versus PC-1 Gln121 bearing gene ones (45.1 ± 12.7 vs. 48.7 ± 15.2 mg/dl, p < 0.05). Population analyses showed a world geographical gradient in the PC-1 Gln121 allele frequency: around 9% in Orientals, 15% in European Caucasoids and 76% in Negroids. The conclusions are: (1) No association of PC-1 Gln121 gene is found with obesity in Amerindians when association is well established in Europeans. (2) PC-1 Gln121 gene is associated to higher levels of HDL-cholesterol than the alternative PC-1 Lys121 allele. This may be specific for Amerindians. (3) Amerindians have an intermediate frequency of this possible PC-1 Gln121 thrifty gene when compared with Negroid African Americans (78.5%) or Han Chinese (7.5%, p < 0.0001). Historical details of African and other groups may support the hypothesis that PC-1 Gln121 is indeed a thrifty gene.

Amerindians normalized waist circumference and obesity diagnosis standarized by biochemical and HLA data.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) and obesity are principal causes of morbidity all over the World, particularly for their association to cardiovascular risk. Amerindians are often living in countries and remote areas with unavailable sophisticated diagnoses methodologies. However, waist-circumference is a reliable and easy to record parameter of visceral obesity and MS. Waist circumference normal values are not yet established in Amerindians: South Asian and Japanese values have been recommended for Amerindian use. The purpose of this study is to objectively define for the first time the waist circumference measure cut-off points for Amerindians. A total of 303 unrelated Amerindian adults recently immigrated to Madrid were studied; they were healthy, since they were questioned and tested as appropriate for blood donation. Waist-circumference was measured in these voluntary blood donors after written consent. Chosen subjects for study had HLA quasi-specific Amerindian genes and not gained weight since their relatively short time living in Spain. Amerindians with Type I or II diabetes or family antecedents were removed from the study. The biochemical parameter used to define normality for MS was the reliable serum HDL-cholesterol levels, whose values are diet independent. A Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis was used to compare the predictive validity and to find out the optimal cut-off points of waist circumference normal values. Cut-off points were ≤88.5 cm in males and ≤82.5 cm in females; these values were close to the median values (88 and 82.2 cm, respectively). Obtained waist circumference values recorded here in normal Amerindians are different to those previously recommended indirectly (those of South Asian/Japanese populations). These parameters may be of great value for American countries health care in order to predict and control MS and its cardiovascular complications. Other countries having a heavy Amerindian immigration (i.e.: USA, Spain) may also benefit for establishing specific Preventive Medicine programs.

Las Alpujarras region (South East Spain) HLA genes study: evidence of a probable success of 17th century repopulation from North Spain.

Conquest of Granada Muslim Kingdom (1492 AD) finished with Muslim occupation; they were mostly North African Berbers who had reached Iberia by 711 AD. A politics of Iberian Christianization followed after this date: Jewish were expelled in 1492 and Moriscos (Spaniards practicing Muslim religion or speaking Arab) were expelled from all Spanish territory on 1609 AD. Las Alpujarras is a southern Spain mountainous secluded region, which underwent a repopulation from North Spain and a specific Muslim (Moriscos)-Christian war took place according to historical records. Both Las Alpujarras repopulation by northern Iberians and Moriscos expulsion success have been debated and are regarded as non-clarified episodes. In this study, we have addressed the question whether the repopulation succeeded by determining HLA genes of present day Las Alpujarras inhabitants and compared with those of other Mediterranean populations HLA frequencies and genealogies. HLA frequencies show ambiguous results because of extant HLA similar gene frequencies there exist in North Africa and Spain. This is reflected by the finding of North and South western Mediterraneans close relatedness of HLA dendrograms and correspondence analyses. However, the genealogical study of extended HLA haplotypes particularly Alpujarran high frequency of HLA-A29-B44-DRB1*0701-DQA1*02-DQB1*02 (not found in Algerians but frequent in North and Central Spain) and Alpujarran low frequency extended haplotype HLA-A3-B7-DRB1*1501-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 (frequent in North Europe) reveals that a significant HLA gene flow from North Spain is observed in present day Alpujarrans: both haplotypes are characteristic of North Spain and North Europe, respectively. This may indicate that enforced Alpujarran repopulation from North Spain may have been a success, which was started by Spanish King Philip II in 1571 AD.

Implications of the polymorphism of HLA-G on its function, regulation, evolution and disease association.

The HLA-G gene displays several peculiarities that are distinct from those of classical HLA class I genes. The unique structure of the HLA-G molecule permits a restricted peptide presentation and allows the modulation of the cells of the immune system. Although polymorphic sites may potentially influence all biological functions of HLA-G, those present at the promoter and 3' untranslated regions have been particularly studied in experimental and pathological conditions. The relatively low polymorphism observed in the MHC-G coding region both in humans and apes may represent a strong selective pressure for invariance, whereas, in regulatory regions several lines of evidence support the role of balancing selection. Since HLA-G has immunomodulatory properties, the understanding of gene regulation and the role of polymorphic sites on gene function may permit an individualized approach for the future use of HLA-G for therapeutic purposes.

Root resorption in relation to a modified piezocision technique.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate root resorption of lower incisors and canines quantitatively in a group of patients who underwent orthodontic treatment with piezocision and/or a collagen reinforcement technique with a fully resorbable three-dimensional (3D) collagen xenograft matrix compared with a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample of this secondary analysis consisted of 32 periodontally healthy patients with angle Class I malocclusion or mild Class II or III malocclusion and moderate irregularity index scores who underwent orthodontic treatment and had before (T0) and after treatment (T1) cone-beam computed tomography scans. Root resorption of lower incisors and canines was assessed quantitatively in the following four groups: the control group received orthodontic treatment without piezocision, experimental group 1 received orthodontic treatment with piezocision, experimental group 2 received orthodontic treatment with piezocision and a 3D collagen matrix, and experimental group 3 received orthodontic treatment with a 3D collagen matrix. RESULTS: An overall statistically significant decrease in root length from T0 to T1 for all groups was observed (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference among the groups in the amount of root length decrease from T0 to T1. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic treatment combined with piezocision does not increase the risk of root resorption of lower incisors and canines when compared with orthodontic treatment without acceleration techniques. More studies with larger samples should be undertaken to confirm these results.

Class II HLA in Georgia Caucasus Tbilisi Georgians and their Mediterranean ancestry: The Usko Mediterranean languages.

Georgia (or Sakartvelo in its own language) is a South Caucasus Mts. country with its easternmost part is enigmatically named Iberia, like the Iberian Peninsula, which may refer to rivers "Kura" and "Ebro" or their valleys respectively. Most of their inhabitants speak Georgian which is included within Dene-Caucasian group and Usko-Mediterranean subgroup of languages. The latter includes Basque, Berber, ancient Iberian-Tartessian, Etruscan, Hittite, Minoan Lineal A and others. In the present paper, HLA class II -DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles has been studied and extended haplotypes calculated. Most frequent haplotypes are also of Mediterranean origin (i. e.: (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*13:01-DQB1*06:03, or (A*24-B*35)-DRB1*01:01-DQB1*05:01) and DA genetic distances show that closest world populations to Georgians are Mediterraneans. Georgians also show common extended haplotypes ((A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*13)-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*02:01 and (A*03-B*35)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01) with Svan people, a secluded population in North Georgia mountains. We can conclude that Georgians belong to a very old Mediterranean substratum according to both linguistics (Usko Mediterranean languages) and HLA genetics.

Gene Expression Scoring of Immune Activity Levels for Precision Use of Hydrocortisone in Vasodilatory Shock.

PURPOSE: Among patients with vasodilatory shock, gene expression scores may identify different immune states. We aimed to test whether such scores are robust in identifying patients' immune state and predicting response to hydrocortisone treatment in vasodilatory shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected genes to generate continuous scores to define previously established subclasses of sepsis. We used these scores to identify a patient's immune state. We evaluated the potential for these states to assess the differential effect of hydrocortisone in two randomized clinical trials of hydrocortisone versus placebo in vasodilatory shock. RESULTS: We initially identified genes associated with immune-adaptive, immune-innate, immune-coagulant functions. From these genes, 15 were most relevant to generate expression scores related to each of the functions. These scores were used to identify patients as immune-adaptive prevalent (IA-P) and immune-innate prevalent (IN-P). In IA-P patients, hydrocortisone therapy increased 28-day mortality in both trials (43.3% vs 14.7%, P = 0.028) and (57.1% vs 0.0%, P = 0.99). In IN-P patients, this effect was numerically reversed. CONCLUSIONS: Gene expression scores identified the immune state of vasodilatory shock patients, one of which (IA-P) identified those who may be harmed by hydrocortisone. Gene expression scores may help advance the field of personalized medicine.