The Involvement of Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunction in the Angiographically Defined Coronary Atherosclerotic Patients

Objectives: To evaluate the levels of endothelial progenitor cell-colony forming units in the angiographically defined coronary atherosclerotic patients. Methods: The 10 ml blood was drawn from the peripheral vein of 12-man patients that 4-stable angina, 4 acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and 4 healthy people. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll density-gradient centrifugation and EPC-CFUs was assayed after two plating and a 6-day culture on fibronectin-coated, 72 well plates, as described. eNOS enzyme titers were determined by ELISA according to the protocol in the cell culture. Results: The people were 52 ± 2.12 years. The number of EPC-CFUs increases with the accordance of patients with stable angina, AMI, healthy people with the statistical significance (H = 15.8, p < 0.001): stable angina (2.6 ± 0.47 colony/well), AMI (6.7 ± 0.81 colony/well), healthy people (10.5 ± 1.34 colony/well). Furthermore, the Kruskal–Wallis test of eNOS enzyme levels in patients with stable angina (5.2 ± 0.61 pg/ml), AMI (8.7 ± 1.49 pg/ml), and healthy people (13.7 ± 2.48 pg/ml). The significant difference (H = 5.7, p < 0.010) was observed among the three groups. The number of EPC-CFUs had a direct significant correlation (r = 0.621, p < 0.001) with the eNOS enzyme levels of this culture. Conclusions: The number of EPC-CFUs and eNOS enzyme levels decrease at patients with stable angina, indicate more than endothelial dysfunction

Blood Donors with Different Types of Human Constitution Demonstrate Different Level of Cytokines

Objective: This study was aimed to determine possible relationship between the types of human constitution used in Mongolian traditional medicine and certain types of immune response in healthy blood donors. Materials and methods: Ninety-three blood donors were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The type of human constitution was determined using the method of Sachs R (1995) and modifi ed by Batchimeg et al. (2003), in which the titer of cytokines (Human IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFNγ and TGFβ) in blood plasma and in supernatant of 12- hour PBMC culture were measured by ELISA. Results: Analysis and comparison of different cytokine titers in different constitution groups produced the following fi ndings: Subjects with Badgan ( Tibetan-badken, or phlegm, or bile) type of constitution had a lower activity of Th2 mediated immune response; subjects with Shar ( Tibetan-mkrispa [kris-pa] or mucus) humour domination had a higher activity of Th2 mediated response; and subjects with Khii humour domination may demonstrate higher activity of Th1 mediated response. Conclusion: Human typology types used in Mongolian traditional medicine are likely related to activity or intensity of certain types of adaptive immune responses and authors see an essential need to continue research in this fi eld of study

Relationship of Human Personal Characteristics in the three Independent Stratification Systems

Objectives: We aimed to analyze theassociation between the biophysiological characteristics of body constitution and temperament type with Mongolian Traditional Medicine (MTM) constitution type to understand further and integrate the application of these stratification systems in clinical medicine. Methods: Body constitution type was classified using the body-mass index, temperament type was determined using personality test, and dominant MTM constitution type was determined in 287 active blood donors. Age, gender, and ABO blood groups were considered as additional biophysiological characteristics. The correlation between the biophysiological characteristics and the nature of their relationship was investigated using likelihood ratio and receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results: Obesity and body-mass index were related to aging, and donor’s age and Badgan expression rate were shown as a sensitive and specific classifier for obesity state. The relationship between Badgan dominant types of human constitutions practiced in Mongolian Traditional Medicine and melancholic temperament was established. Badgan expression was a sensitive and specific classifier for melancholic and phlegmatic temperament. Conclusions: Stratification of human subjects using the primary types of human constitutions practiced in Mongolian Traditional Medicine may be helpful in clinical research and application

The Determination of Filaggrin Gene Single Nucleotides Polymorphisms in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Objectives: The protein, filaggrin, is important in barrier function and epidermal differentiation facilitation. Filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations have been identified as the cause of ichthyosis vulgaris (IV), and certain mutations have been associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). We aimed to investigate genetic polymorphism of FLG in Mongolian AD patients. Methods: FLG mutations were determined using sequence analysis in 46 AD patients and 12 IV patients. Severity of AD was assessed using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Allergen specific IgE were determined from serum. Filaggrin expression in skin punch biopsy samples of AD patients was investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Several single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) (1150C>T, 1741A>T, 1791C>T, 2181C>G, 2191A>G, and 2263G>A) were demonstrated in AD patients using sequence analysis. Total IgE levels were significantly associated with age (p=0.03) and duration of disease (p=0.02). Presence of SNPs and mixed allergen specific IgE was significantly correlated (p=0.02); 2 SNPs were significantly associated with food allergen specific IgE levels (p=0.009). 2263G>A SNP was significantly correlated with food allergen specific IgE (p=0.003) and a history of atopic diseases (p=0.03). Conclusion: New mutations or genetic polymorphisms with ethnic characteristics may be detected among Mongolians

Regulating Action of in Vitro Hepatitis C Virus Infection on Interferon-Induced Interferon Stimulating Genes in Murine Macrophages

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro regulating effect of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on interferon stimulating genes (ISGs) stimulated by IFN-ү and Imiquimod (TLR7 ligand) on murine macrophages. iNOS and STAT1 were measured by RT-PCR, and immunoblotting (IB). Nitric oxide production was measured by Griess Reagent Assay. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro regulating effect of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on interferon stimulating genes (ISGs) stimulated by IFN-ү and Imiquimod (TLR7 ligand) on murine macrophages. iNOS and STAT1 were measured by RT-PCR, and immunoblotting (IB). Nitric oxide production was measured by Griess Reagent Assay. Results: HCV inhibits IFN induced iNOS mRNA and also protein expression. HCV significantly reduced IFN-ү induced ISGs (iNOS mRNA, iNOS protein, s727-STAT1, tyr701- STAT1). Conclusion: These results indicate that in vitro hepatitis C virus infection is involved in the regulation of IFN-ү induced ISGs in the levels of gene and protein expression of iNOS and STAT1 transcription factors.: HCV inhibits IFN induced iNOS mRNA and also protein expression. HCV significantly reduced IFN-ү induced ISGs (iNOS mRNA, iNOS protein, s727-STAT1, tyr701- STAT1). Conclusion: These results indicate that in vitro hepatitis C virus infection is involved in the regulation of IFN-ү induced ISGs in the levels of gene and protein expression of iNOS and STAT1 transcription factors

Correction: Survival, CD4 T lymphocyte count recovery and immune reconstitution pattern during the first-line combination antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV-1 infection in Mongolia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247929.]

Survival, CD4 T lymphocyte count recovery and immune reconstitution pattern during the first-line combination antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV-1 infection in Mongolia.

Mongolia has a low incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, with 281 cases reported at the end of 2019 and an estimated incidence rate of 50 cells/μL indicated CD4 T cell count recovery, and a cell count of ≥500 cells/μL in patients with a baseline cell count of 500 cells/μL in 95 of 145 (65.5%) patients with a baseline cell count of <500 cells/μL after 36 months of ART. The baseline CD4 T cell count was found to be a sensitive indicator for immune reconstitution. An advanced pretreatment clinical stage of HIV infection (as classified by the WHO classification), a low CD4 T cell count in the peripheral blood, and a high viral load before the initiation of the first-line ART accurately predicted survival, CD4 T cell count recovery, and immune reconstitution in Mongolian patients with HIV/AIDS

Patient characteristics of the study population with univariable analysis of the two study sites.

<p>Patient characteristics of the study population with univariable analysis of the two study sites.</p

Effect of <i>Mycoplasma hominis</i> and cytomegalovirus infection on pregnancy outcome: A prospective study of 200 Mongolian women and their newborns

<div><p>In Mongolia, diagnostic tests for the detection of the sexually transmitted mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are currently not routinely used in clinical settings and the frequency of these STIs are enigmatic. The prevalence of these STI pathogens were prospectively evaluated among 200 Mongolian pregnant women and their newborns and correlated with pregnancy outcome. TaqMan PCRs were used to detect bacterial and viral STI pathogens in pre-birth vaginal swabs of the pregnant women and in oral swabs of their newborns. A standardized questionnaire concerning former and present pregnancies was developed and linear regression analysis was used to correlate pathogen detection with pregnancy outcome. Ureaplasmas were the most prevalent of the tested pathogens (positive in 90.5% positive women and 47.5% newborns), followed by mycoplasmas (32.5% and 7.5%), chlamydia (14.5% and 7.5%), trichomonas (8.5% and 4.0%) and gonococcus (0.5% and 0%). CMV was found in 46.5% of the pregnant women and in 10.5% of their newborns, whereas HSV-2 was detected in only two mothers. Multiple regression analyses indicate that colonization of the mothers with <i>U</i>. <i>urealyticum</i>, <i>M</i>. <i>hominis</i>, <i>T</i>. <i>vaginalis</i> or CMV is associated with transmission to newborns and that transmission of <i>M</i>. <i>hominis</i> or CMV from Mongolian pregnant women to offspring is associated with reduced neonatal length and gestational age. Thus, diagnostic tests for their detection should be implemented in the clinical settings in Mongolia.</p></div