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Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (HP) has several important virulence factors including Cytotoxin-Associated Gene A (CagA). Studying the protein structure and physicochemical characteristics of CagA from the sequence data are essential to understand their virulence ability. This study compared the protein structure and physicochemical characteristics of CagA western-type HP29965 and J99. Methods: We retrieved the DNA sequences from GenBank, NCBI (HP26695: NC_000915.1; J99: NC_000921.1. Protein modelling from protein sequences using Swiss-Model was visualized using PyMOL. Physicochemical characteristics were obtained using ExPasy ProtParam. Results: CagA HP26695 has Glu-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Ala (EPIYA)-A, EPIYA-B, and EPIYA-C, while CagA J99 lacks EPIYA-A. Both strains have relatively similar tertiary protein structures. CagA J99 has fewer amino acids and molecular weight than CagA 26695. Both strains have negative GRAVY values, a high aliphatic index (>70), and the same estimated half-life. Conclusion: HP J99 only has EPIYA-B and EPIYA-C. Both strains are thermostable and stable. However, J99 is more thermostable and stable than HP26695.

Introduction: CagA, an oncogenic virulence factor of Helicobacter pylori, may present with 39-bp deletions in the preepiya region of East-Asian strains resulting in a virulent genotype. This study aims to compare the morphological changes, protein expressions, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in AGS cells infected with H. pylori East-Asian strains containing 39-bp deletion. Methods: Cultured AGS cells, infected with H. pylori strains obtained from gastric biopsy, were incubated for 24 h (MOI 50, 37°C, 5% CO2). The subsequent changes in cell appearances (Hummingbird phenotype and cell death), protein expressions (CagA, Py99, UreB, and β-actin), and IL-8 production were analyzed through microscopic observation, western blot analysis, and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: Two H. pylori strains (KPG15 and TN2) and negative H. pylori infection negative control (NC) were observed. Cell death was observable in all three groups. Hummingbird phenotype, inducible by CagA, was present in 39-deletion strains. KPG15 and TN2 exhibited positive bands in UreB, CagA, and Py99-confirming H. pylori presence, CagA expression and phosphorylation, respectively. The higher IL-8 concentrations in KPG15 (820.6 pg/ml) compared to TN2 (742.5 pg/ml) and NC (37.1 pg/ml) may be attributable to CagA-independent IL-8 production. These results support the fact that 39-bp deletion induces more severe inflammation. Conclusions: KPG15 and TN2 displayed similar in silico profiles, cell appearances, and protein expressions. Although both cases induced IL-8 production, KPG15 had a higher result.

Abstract A preliminary study showed that most health workers in primary health care (PHC) claimed that they need a refreshing course because of their lack of updated knowledge and skill. This study enrolled 27 primary healthcare workers recruited from the PHC. The intervention used were classic lectures and workshops. The knowledge was evaluated using a paper-based test and practice, while the skill was evaluated using a practice test. Multiple questions (pre-test and post-test) based on current emergency management for pediatric were used for paper-based evaluation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to confirm the subject's perspective on the intervention. A paired t-test was used for evaluating the pre- and post-test results, which was confirmed by a triangulation approach. There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test results (p

Abstract Infectious diseases are common problems in most countries. Streptococcus pyogenes is the infectious agent that causes diseases such as pharyngitis, impetigo, toxic shock syndrome, and necrotizing fasciitis. Tembelek (Lantana camara) is a wild plant that can easily be found in every ecosystem in Indonesia whether in nature or settlements and known as a plant that has an antibacterial effect but the knowledge about its potential against Streptococcus pyogenes in this past five years remain scant. The aim of this study was to determine the potentiality of Lantana camara leaves and flowers extract against Streptococcus pyogenes. In this experimental study, in vitro using Post-test Only Control Group Designed, has been done and confirmed by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Lantana camara leaves and flowers extracts were obtained by maceration using ethanol. The extracts were diluted into eight concentrations and their antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc then proceeded Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test and phytochemical assay. The data processed using SPSS software version 22. The results showed that flowers extract had the most significant inhibition zone (11.85 ± 0.119 mm) compared with the leaves extract (9.54 ± 0.07 mm) at the highest tested concentration was 640 mg/ml. The MIC of both extracts was 250 mg/ml. Flavonoids, phenolic, steroids, and saponins were found in both extracts whereas, alkaloid was found only in flowers extract. In conclusion, the Tembelek plant has an antibacterial effect against Streptococcus pyogenes. Future study is needed related to its mechanism of antibacterial effect. Keywords : Antibacterial potential, Lantana camara; Streptococcus pyogenes

Objectives: To characterize gut Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and identify the factors shaping its composition, we collected fecal samples from healthy Mongolians residing in various regions of Mongolia. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study involving 256 relatively healthy adults between July 2018 and February 2019. Fecal samples were collected for bacterial analysis using culture method and the species of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. were determined by PCR. Results: The participants had a mean age of 38.9 ± 12.8 years. The abundance of Lactobacillus was weakly negatively correlated with grams of fats, potato, cereals foods consumed per day (r = -.20; r = -.16 and r = -.18 respectively). Significant differences in the counts of Lactobacillus were identified depending on the quantity of milk products consumed per day. In adult intestinal tracts, B. bifidum was the most common Bifidobacterium taxon at 29% (31 participants) followed by B. angulatum 13.1% (14), B. adolescentis 9.3% (10) B. catenulatum group 9.3% (10), B. longum 8.4% (9). B. lactis, B. breve, B. dentium and B. gallicum were subdominant species. Conclusion: The Lactobacillus abundance in healthy adults was higher in the region of Khangai, Eastern and Western Mongolia than other locations. The composition of Lactobacillus species varied. Significant but modest correlations were found between amounts of fiber, fats, potatoes consumed, and the amount of Lactobacillus.

Objectives: The aim of our study is to determine intestinal Lactobacillus of relativity healthy adults by colony forming units (CFU) and correlate the link between dairy consumption. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. A total of 80 healthy Mongolian adults, age 18-70 were recruited between April 2014 and June 2016 in the urban area. Participants self-collected freshly voided feces at home in a sterile container. Results: Of the total of 80 relatively healthy people from 18 to 70 years of age, there were 24 (30%) male and 56 (70%) female participants. By age group; 4 (5%) were age 15-24; 31 (38.7%) were age 25-34; 11 (13.7%) were age 35-44; 14 (17.5%) were age 45- 54; 16 (20%) were age 55-64; 4 (5%) were over 65 years of age. The mean value of colonic Lactobacillus for relatively healthy adults was 1443×104 CFU/ml. Colony forming units of the gut lactobacillus were positively significantly associated with the intake of dairy products per week (r=.400, p

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum lipid profile and hypertension among Mongolian adults. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2018 in Mongolia. According to current European Society of Cardiology guidelines, hypertension was defined as an average systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg. Lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipid [HDL], cholesterol and low-density lipid [LDL]-cholesterol) and fasting plasma glucose as well as Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), Apolipoprotein A (ApoA) and a ratio of apoB/apoA1 were estimated. Results: This study included 998 participants with a mean age ± SD of 49.4±14.8 years. Serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL were 4.8±0.93, 1.58±1.19 and 3.23±0.9 mmol/L, respectively among males, and 4.5±0.96, 1.22±0.48 and 2.95±1, respectively in females, which were significantly lower (p

Background/aims: : A latex agglutination turbidity (LA) assay to test for serum antibodies has been approved in Japan and Korea for mass screening of Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, we evaluated the LA assay for diagnosing H. pylori infection and predicting gastric mucosal changes in a Mongolian population., Methods: : In total, 484 individuals were classified into H. pylori -positive (n=356) and H. pylori -negative (n=128) groups, as determined by histology and H. pylori culture., Results: : The best cutoff, sensitivity, and specificity values for the LA assay were 18.35 U/mL, 74.2%, and 65.6%, respectively. The LA values in the atrophic gastritis group were statistically higher than those in the other groups (healthy, chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer, p<0.0001). The cutoff value to distinguish the atrophic gastritis group from the other four groups was 32.0 U/mL, and its area under the curve was 0.673, which was the highest among the E-plate, pepsinogen (PG) I, PG II, and PG I/II ratio tests in our data. The odds ratios for atrophic gastritis determined by the LA assay and PG I test in multiple logistic regression were 2.5 and 1.9, respectively, which were significantly higher than for the other tests., Conclusions: : The LA assay can determine the risk of atrophic gastritis, which in turn is a considerable risk factor for gastric cancer. We propose using this assay in combination with the PG I/II ratio to avoid missing gastric cancer patients who have a low LA value (less than 32.0 U/mL).