[Complex association analysis of antioxidant genes polymorphic DNA-markers with age in the ethnic group of Abkhazians.]

For the first time in the ethnic group of Abkhazians, the association analysis of polymorphic DNA-markers of the antioxidant genes CAT (rs1001179), MSRA (rs10098474), GPX1 (rs1050450), GSR (rs1002149), GSTP1 (rs1695), SOD1 (rs2070424), SOD2 (rs4880), PON1 (rs662), PON2 (rs7493) with age was performed. Using ROC-analysis and logistic regression, it was found that the spectrum of alleles and genotypes frequencies of PON1 and GSTP1 genes polymorphic markers change throughout the studied age period (21-107 years old); the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of CAT and SOD2 genes polymorphic markers changes within the age of 60 years. Multilocus genetic markers of longevity were determined by the Monte Carlo Markov chain method. Among persons in the age range 60-107 years, the frequency of observation of the patterns GSTP1*G/G+PON1*G (OR=6,59, PFDR=0,018) and GSTP1*G/G+SOD1*A (OR=3,4, PFDR=0,041) is statistically significantly increased; the GSTP1*A allele in various combinations with the PON1*A, PON2*C and CAT*C alleles are less common (OR=0,3, PFDR<0,05).

The higher prevalence of multiple sclerosis among Iranian Georgians; new clues to the role of genetic factors.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with varied prevalence rates among populations with different ethnic backgrounds. Therefore, studies done on minorities have shed more light on the risk factors. OBJECTIVE: Comparing MS prevalence in Georgian-based population immigrated to Iran and other Iranians. METHODS: All records of MS patients enrolled in the two biggest registry systems were investigated. All of the patients born in Fereydunshahr and Buin va Miandasht (2 biggest cities with Georgian immigrants) were interviewed and their baseline characteristics were obtained. Patients' ethnic background information were obtained from the Iran National organization for civil registration. RESULTS: Forty-one patients from Fereydunshahr and Buin va Miandasht were identified. The population of the two cities combined and the estimated number of Georgian-based patients in both cities were reported 59817 and 12000, respectively. The estimated ethnicity-adjusted prevalence among the Georgian-based individuals was 2.3 times higher than the non-Georgian ones. Baseline characteristics were also compared. CONCLUSION: There was a higher prevalence of multiple sclerosis among the Georgian minority of Isfahan. Due to the ethnic background of the Georgian minority, genetic risk factors should be considered more as a risk factor.

Generalized Procrustes analysis of an ontogenetic series of modified crania: Evaluating the technique of modification in the Migration Period of Europe (4th-7th century AD).

OBJECTIVES: The arrival of the Huns into Europe in the fourth century AD increased the occurrence of intentional cranial modification among European nomads. It has been postulated that the Huns used a two-bandage cranial binding technique to differentiate themselves from surrounding nomadic groups, including those from Georgia. This study examines this hypothesis by comparing Migration Period (4th to 7th century AD) juvenile crania, which retain strong impressions of bindings, with adult modified crania from Hungary and Georgia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve surface landmarks and 251 semi-landmarks were used to study ontogenetic trajectories in 9 juvenile and 16 adult modified skulls from 8 Hungarian sites and 21 adult skulls from two Georgian sites. Generalized Procrustes analysis, linear regression of Procrutes distance on dental age and log centroid size, and warping the principal components (PCs) in shape space helped to identify cranial shape changes. RESULTS: The PCs provide significant separation of the juvenile and adult groups from Georgia and Hungary. Variation in modified cranial shape was limited in Hungary compared to Georgia. There was stronger correlation between juvenile and adult modified cranial shape in Hungary than in Georgia. Warping along the first axis reveals the trajectory from marked flattening of the frontal and occipital regions in juveniles to diminished flattening in the same regions in adult crania, corresponding with one binding. Another depression extending from the post-bregmatic region to the temporal region, similarly strong in juveniles but diminishing in adults, marks the second binding. DISCUSSION: Hungarian crania were modified with two bindings with limited shape variation, whereas the Georgian crania had greater variation in shape being also modified with antero-posterior bindings. The findings from this study alongside contemporary historical sources help to understand the role of intentional cranial modification as a mark of social identity among nomads in the Migration Period of Europe.

Dental caries among children in Georgia by age, gender, residence location and ethnic group.

OBJECTIVE: To provide prevalence data for dental caries in Georgia. METHODS: This World Health Organization pathfinder survey was conducted among 1,351 (6, 12 and 15 year-old) Georgian children, representing the main ethnic groups in urban and rural locations. Caries was analysed at univariate and multivariate levels, according to age, gender, urban/rural locality and ethnic group. RESULTS: Caries experience levels among 6-year-olds were dmft = 4.57, sd 3.42 (14.8% caries-free); DMFT = 2.04 (sd 2.02) among 12-year-olds (31.1% caries-free); and DMFT = 3.51 (sd 3.14) for the 15-year-olds (17.7% caries-free). Urban children at ages 6 and 12 years were more likely to be caries-free and have both lower levels of caries-experience and higher levels of filled or restored teeth. In multivariate regression analyses, most age groups showed a significant contribution from residence location. No differences were found by age and no consistent differences were detected by ethnic group. CONCLUSION: These data should provide the baseline for formulating and conducting public oral health efforts in Georgia, with emphases on rural residence locations.

War's enduring effects on the development of egalitarian motivations and in-group biases.

In suggesting that new nations often coalesce in the decades following war, historians have posed an important psychological question: Does the experience of war generate an enduring elevation in people's egalitarian motivations toward their in-group? We administered social-choice tasks to more than 1,000 children and adults differentially affected by wars in the Republic of Georgia and Sierra Leone. We found that greater exposure to war created a lasting increase in people's egalitarian motivations toward their in-group, but not their out-groups, during a developmental window starting in middle childhood (around 7 years of age) and ending in early adulthood (around 20 years of age). Outside this window, war had no measurable impact on social motivations in young children and had only muted effects on the motivations of older adults. These "war effects" are broadly consistent with predictions from evolutionary approaches that emphasize the importance of group cooperation in defending against external threats, though they also highlight key areas in need of greater theoretical development.

Premature mortality in a Georgian cohort of people with epilepsy.

Mortality in people with epilepsy has not previously been estimated in Georgia. We identified a prevalent cohort of people with epilepsy from a tertiary referral centre in Tbilisi, Georgia and attempted to establish survivorship status for all. One-way sensitivity analysis estimating mortality rates in those lost to follow-up was also used. Of 1952 people, 1250 (64%) were located; 93 (7%) had died over a median of 11 years follow up. The main cause specific Proportional Mortality Ratios were: underlying diseases (39%) and accidental death (9%). One SUDEP was confirmed with a further 4 possible, but the cause of death was unknown in 47%. The overall SMR was 1.4, with much higher SMRs (up to 12) in young people. The sensitivity analysis suggested an SMR of 3.0.

Prevalence of consanguineous marriages among Iranian Georgians.

Consanguineous marriage--marriage between relatives--has received a great deal of attention as a potential risk factor for many adverse health outcomes. The present cross-sectional study was done in order to illustrate the prevalence and types of consanguineous marriages among Iranian Georgians living in Frydoonshahr (Isfahan province, central Iran). Data on consanguineous marriages were collected using a simple questionnaire. The total number of couples in this study was 646. Consanguineous marriage was classified by the degree of relationship between couples. First cousin marriages (14.2%) were the most common type of consanguineous marriages, followed by second cousin (7.0%), beyond second cousin (1.5%) and first cousin once removed (0.6%). The mean inbreeding coefficient (α) was calculated as 0.0104 for the population. The present study shows that the study population, as other Iranian populations, has a high level of consanguinity.

[Anthropometric indicators and psychodynamics in 20-54 year old ethnic Georgian men].

Aim of our research is establishing interrelation of anthropometric and psychodynamic indicators of ethnic Georgian men with normal physical development. Totally 125 men from 20 to 54 years old were observed. The were divided into 7 age groups. The anthropometric data were processed by mathematical statistics methods. For the research of character and temperament a questionnaire by Aizenk and scales of temperament by Sheldon were used. The types of mood were determined by D. Uznadze method. For determination of intellect the schemes and tests approved in England and USA were used. It was found that among ethnic Georgian men phlegmatic and sanguine persons prevail; the interconnection between of anthropometric data and temperament are 0.4-0.5. Correlation between of anthropometric data and forms of character (introversion) increases by 0.4-0.54; interrelation between the forms of intellect (mathematical, verbal) and of anthropometric data grow by 0.4-0.6; with the age interconnection between the types of mood and anthropometric data decreases by 0.1-0.2. Thus, it was established that ethnic Georgian men of normal physical development from 20 to 54 years old are mainly dolichomorphic, of sanguine temperament, extravert, they have average verbal (logical) intellect, by type of mood they are plastic-dynamic, constant-stable, with average excitement, which means they are harmonious constitutional types.

Extensively drug resistant tuberculosis in a high income country: a report of four unrelated cases.

BACKGROUND: Multi drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) remains a major threat to public health, reinforced by recent reports about the clinical course of patients infected with extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains in South Africa. There is little information about the clinical course of XDR tuberculosis patients in industrialised countries. METHODS: We evaluated all isolates of M. tuberculosis, in which drug susceptibility testing was performed at our institution since 1997, for multi and extensive drug resistance. Clinical courses of patients infected by strains fulfilling the recently revised criteria for XDR tuberculosis were analysed. RESULTS: Four XDR M. tuberculosis isolates were identified. All patients had immigrated to Germany from Russia, Georgia, and former Yugoslavia and none were infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. All patients where treated for tuberculosis for 5.5 to 15 years and for XDR tuberculosis for 1.9 to 2.5 years. They received inhospital treatment in Germany for 11 months, 4.5 years and twice for 6 years. Non-compliance was an important factor in all four patients, three patients had to be treated in Germanys only locked facility for tuberculosis treatment. One patient with XDR tuberculosis died, one patient had still open pulmonary tuberculosis at last contact and 2 patients were cured. CONCLUSION: Cases of XDR tuberculosis have been treated in our region for several years. Even in a high income setting, XDR tuberculosis has a tremendous impact on quality of live, outcome and the total cost. All reasonable efforts to prevent the spread of XDR tuberculosis must be made and maintained.

[Peculiarities of bone metabolism in healthy men of Georgian nationality].

The purpose of the present research was studying parameters of the bone metabolism and bone mineral density in the context of the risk - factor of osteoporosis among young healthy men. 56 practically healthy men in the age of 22-37 years were investigated. With the help of ultrasonic densitometry cases of osteopenia and osteoporosis were revealed. The received data confirm opinion about non-uniform bone mineral density among men of young age. This indicate to the importance of early detection of cases of osteoporosis among the healthy population with the purpose of conducting timely preventive measures.

Sequence polymorphisms of the mtDNA control region in a human isolate: the Georgians from Swanetia.

In this work, we analyzed the sequence diversity of the mtDNA control region (HVI and HVII) in a sample of 48 individuals from Swanetia (Georgia), using direct fluorescent-based sequencing methods. We identified 43 different mtDNA haplotypes resulting from 78 polymorphic sites (46 in HVI and 32 in HVII). Most of the variable positions identified in both HVI and HVII were transitions (82.6 and 71.9%, respectively). The frequency of length heteroplasmy in the homopolymeric C-stretch regions was the same for both segments (10.4%). The sequence diversity increased markedly when both hypervariable regions were analyzed jointly (HVI: 0.985, HVII: 0.975, HVI+HVII: 0.994). Accordingly, the probability of two randomly selected sequences matching (random match probability, RMP) decreased from 3.4% (HVI) to 2.6% (HVI+HVII), despite which the RMP values in Georgians remained higher than estimated in most Europeans. This suggests that the variability of maternal lineages tends to be lower in traditional human isolates and, therefore, the potential of discrimination of mtDNA in forensic analysis is more limited in this type of population. The incorporation of HVII data also contributed to the refinement of results regarding the genetic relationships among the samples included in the analyses, which stress the importance of considering HVII in both population and forensic genetics.

[Anaphylactic shock caused by rupture of an echinococcal cyst in a 25-year-old asylum seeker from Georgia]. / Anaphylaktischer Schock bei einem 25-jährigen Asylbewerber aus Georgien.

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 25-year-old asylum seeker from Georgia was admitted to hospital with acute right upper quadrant abdominal pain, vertigo, dyspnea, generalized urticaria and positive shock index (blood pressure 80/40 mmHg, pulse 120/min) several minutes after eating an instant soup. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory investigations showed a slight increase of the eosinophilic cell count and GOT and GPT activities. Abdominal ultrasound scan (USS) and computed tomography (CT) revealed a multivesicular septated cystic space-occupying lesion of the right liver lobe (segment VII, 13 x 9 x 8 cm) and perihepatic fluid. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Intravenous steroids, H 1 and H 2 antagonists and fluid were given. Emergency laparatomy with endocystectomy was performed. A 3-month course of antihelmintic therapy with albendazole was applied. During follow-up up to one year after surgery the patient did well. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed only a small residual defect in the right liver lobe where the cyst had been removed. CONCLUSION: In patients from echinococcosis-endemic regions who develop an anaphylactic reaction, a ruptured Echinococcus granulosus cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasonography and serology (to be noted: substantial rate of false negative results!) should be performed.

When cultures clash: physician, patient, and family wishes in truth disclosure for dying patients.

We describe two cases involving male foreign nationals (a Chinese and a Georgian) treated in a U.S. hospital. Both patients had terminal illnesses, and both cases involved clashes between families and the treating physicians, which occurred because of differing cultural beliefs about truth disclosure. Based on the specific backgrounds of these two patients, we discuss ethical and cultural considerations and make suggestions for physicians who care for ethnically diverse patients.

Population diversity and distinct haplotype frequencies associated with ACHE and BCHE genes of Israeli Jews from trans-Caucasian Georgia and from Europe.

Variant alleles of the butyrylcholinesterase gene, BCHE, have often been used to trace the genetic histories of populations. The D70G substitution in BCHE causes prolonged postanesthesia apnea ("atypical" phenotype); H322N substitution in the closely related acetylcholinesterase gene, ACHE, is the basis of the mutually incompatible Yt blood groups. In both genes, additional point mutations were reported to be linked to these phenotypically evident ones. To examine whether the intragenic linkage reported for the ACHE and BCHE mutations in Americans is universal, we studied frequencies of these mutations in trans-Caucasian Georgian Jews, a population that has remained relatively isolated for 1500 years. To this end we employed PCR amplification followed by DNA sequencing and enzymatic restriction and compared the frequencies we found to corresponding reported phenotype data. Georgian Jews' N322 ACHE was a rather low 7.0% and was totally linked to a P446 mutation, in agreement with a recent report. In BCHE, however, G70 was a relatively high 5.8%, and the V497 and T539 mutations were not found, either in Georgian or in Ashkenazi Jews, in contrast to reported findings in Americans. Our findings reveal distinct displays of ACHE and BCHE haplotypes in Georgian Jews and suggest different founder effects, genetic drifts, and/or selection pressures in the evolution of each of these genes.

Genetic polymorphisms in a rural Osetian community.

Data are presented on ABO, Rhesus, MNSs, P, Duffy, Kell and Kidd blood group polymorphisms in the Dzhava district, located on the southern slopes of the Main Caucasian Mountain Range. The gene frequencies, compared with those in other Osetian populations and neighbouring ethnic groups of the Caucasus, show general similarity. An exception to the general pattern is presented only by the P blood group system, where the frequencies of the alleles are significantly different form those observed in the neighbouring populations.

[HLA system antigens in peptic ulcer patients]. / Antigeny sistemy HLA u bol'nykh iazvennoi bolezn'iu.

A study is presented of 105 Georgian patients (age: 24-69 years) with duodenal ulcer. Typing of HLA-A, B, and C antigens was carried out by a set of sera of the Leningrad Research Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. It was found that finding in patients of Georgian origin with duodenal ulcer differ from similar examinations in other ethnic groups indicating the possibility to judge on the population heterogeneity of association of the HLA system with duodenal ulcer.

[The HLA system antigens in rheumatism]. / Antigeny sistemy HLA pri revmatizme.

The authors studied the distribution of class I and II HLA antigens in 51 Georgian patients with rheumatic heart disease. Statistically significant differences were found between the study group and controls, regarding HLA-AI, Aw19 and Bw22 distribution. The relative risk ratio was, respectively, 2.94, 3.82 and 4.40.