Mongolian Population Research Articles

Frequency of antigen Dia on the blood donor population of the Hemocenter coordinator of the Hemopa Foundation

IntroductionErythrocyte phenotyping is a very important test in the adoption of prophylactic measures to reduce transfusion reactions/alloimmunizations in polytransfused patients. The blood group Diego, in its current, form has 22 antigens, of which 4 are immunogenic, being Diª/Dib and Wra/Wrb, while the others are less expressive. The antigen Diª is of low incidence among whites and blacks, however, it is common in the South American indigenous and Asian Mongolian populations. It is also considered a system of clinical importance for its immunogenicity. MethodThe present study aimed to carry out a retrospective and descriptive survey of the frequency of the Diª antigen in the blood donor population at the HEMOPA Foundation Coordinating Blood Center from 12/2018 to 1/2000. The data obtained were from the HEMOPA Foundation SBS Progress and SBS WEB Systems databases. ResultsDuring this period, 941,744 blood bags were collected and, of these, 930 bags were phenotyped for the Diª antigen, of which 842 were negative and 88 (9.7%) positive. The research showed that, among the positive donors for the antigen Diª, 88.6% were brown, 3.4%, black and 8%, white. In the statistical analysis, the frequency observed was higher in browns. ConclusionIn the present investigation, we concluded that our region has a relatively higher frequency of the Diª antigen, when compared to the rest of Brazil, and it occurs more often in browns.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on the Living Standards of the Darkhan-Uul Aimak Population in Mongolia

The paper analyzes the situation in the economy of Mongolia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Particular attention is paid to the negative dynamics of living standards. The authors present two sociological surveys’ results of Darkhan-Uul aimak residents in Mongolia in May and August 2020. They have found that the economic downturn in this industrialized region has significantly affected the incomes of workers in various fields of activity and their families. The fall in the income level of the population affected more than two thirds of the population, about 10% of workers lost their jobs.

Dementia risk among Mongolian population with type 2 diabetes: a matched case-control study.

People with diabetes have a higher risk of cognitive impairment than people without diabetes, and recently it is being considered a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Because of drastic lifestyle changes in the Mongolian population, diabetes prevalence is increasing rapidly. The rapid increase of diabetes prevalence and its poor control in Mongolia suggest that there might be significant cognitive impairment in the diabetes population. In this case-control study, we compared the Mini-Mental State Examination score to the risk of cognitive impairment, indicating vascular dementia in people with and without diabetes. Upon obtaining their informed consent, each subject was tested with Mini-Mental State Examination. We involved age and gender-matched diabetic (n = 131) and non-diabetic (n = 131) subjects. The mean age was 61.3 ± 8.5 and 61.0 ± 8.7 in people with and without diabetes, respectively, and 35.9% of the participants were male. According to study groups, the Mini-Mental State Examination scores were significantly different: 26.1 ± 3.7 and 27.5 ± 2.6 for people with and without diabetes, respectively. In logistic regression analysis, age was significantly associated with Mini-Mental State Examination score (Beta coefficient = 1.22; 1.11-1.35, P < 0.001) in people without diabetes after adjustments for potential confounders. However, age was not significantly associated with MMSE scores in people with diabetes mellitus. Thus, diabetes duration and poor control may contribute to developing cognitive impairment in people with diabetes. In conclusion, there might be a high prevalence of vascular dementia in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, since Mini-Mental State Examination is sensitive to dementia and not specific to vascular dementia, further studies involving neuroimaging and neurological examination are needed to fully elucidate the link between type 2 diabetes and vascular dementia in dementia in a Mongolian population.

Social Media for Scholarly Communication in Central Asia and Its Neighbouring Countries.

The current digital era has led to a surge in the use of Social Media in academia. Worldwide connectivity has brought to the fore a scarce participation of Central Asia and adjoining regions in scientific discussions. Global perspectives in science may not be recorded due to such communication disparities. An equal representation of all ethnic groups is essential to have a rounded picture of the topic at hand. The extent of use of social media platforms in various regions is determined by social, economic, religious, political, cultural and ethnic factors, which may limit participation. The paper aims to examine the use of social media by academicians in the Central Asian countries, China and Mongolia. It also focusses on the linguistic skills of the Central Asian, Chinese and Mongolian population and their eagerness to be involved in global discussions. Understanding the factors limiting participation from specific regions is the first step in this direction.

Петроглифы раннего Средневековья на территории Монголии: основные этапы и результаты исследований

the territory of Mongolia. The process of accumulation and diverse interpretation of information about rock paintings, as well as images on “memorial” objects dating back to the second half of the 1st millennium AD is characterized. The analysis of the main results of the study of the petroglyphs of the early medieval nomads of the region allowed the authors to identify several key stages in the history of their study. The first stage, within which the initial formation of the source base took place, is associated with the discovery and fixation at the end of the 19th century of stylized images of goats, carried out as a rule in the study of epigraphic sites. The beginning of the second stage coincides with the large-scale archaeological research that took place in Mongolia in the middle of the 20th century. The third stage, which began in the mid-1970s, marked the expansion of scientists’ ideas about the rock art of the population of Mongolia in the second half of the 1st millennium AD, as well as the identification of various pictorial layers in it. Within the framework of the modern period (since the mid-1990s), approaches to the study of early medieval petroglyphs are being improved, new sites are being discovered, as well as a more detailed study of already known complexes. The article contains images recorded during the field research of the authors as part of the Buyant Russian-Mongolian archaeological expedition. Keywords: Mongolia, petroglyphs, early Middle Ages, history of research, periodization Acknowledgements: The research was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and the Ministry of Culture, Education, Science and Sports of Mongolia in the framework of the scientific project No. 19–59–44013 “Historical, Cultural and Ethnogenetic Processes in Mongolia during the Great Migration and the Early Middle Ages: an Interdisciplinary Analysis of Archaeological and Written Sources”.

Oirat Manuscripts in the Cabinet for Collecting, Cataloguing and Publishing Old Books of Ethnic Minorities in Ürümqi (Part One)

The authors of this article present a summary of the unpublished catalogue of Oirat manuscripts and xylographs preserved at the Cabinet for Collecting, Cataloguing and Publishing Old Books of Ethnic Minorities, the National Affairs Committee of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Ürümqi), compiled by the keeper of the collection Do. Galdan. The fund contains around 400 books that have been collected among the Mongolian population of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region since 1984. The Catalogue compiled by Do. Galdan is a list of 397 entries structured according to the order of shelfmarks: the items are neither classified by topic nor indexed, which does not allow to search for a particular text inside the collection. Therefore, classifying and grouping the items is the principal task pursued in this article. Its main focus is a thematic index to the upcoming catalogue. The index is preceded by commentary that introduces the classification of texts and notes the highlights of the collection. The texts were classified based on their titles and the descriptions of their content provided by Do. Galdan in his draft catalogue. The overall number of surviving Oirat manuscripts is limited, and the value of the materials preserved in Ürümqi is beyond dispute. What makes this collection exceptional is its local and popular character which reflects the tradition of text-related practices spread among the Oirat population of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the 20th century.

Investigation and Follow-up of HPV Infection on Married Mongolian Women in Hulunbuir.

The aim of the study was to determine the high-risk factors of Mongolian human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Hulunbuir area and to explore the guiding role of HPV16 viral load change in the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN 1). The HPV qualitative results of 963 married women of Mongolian nationality aged 21 - 65 were screened using real-time PCR in the Hulunbeir area, logistic analysis statistics was used to judge the high-risk factors of infection, and the χ2 test was the analysis method of the count data; hybrid capture was used. II technology was used to detect the changes of HPV DNA content of CIN I outpatients before treatment, 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment. At the same time the change trend of vaginal secretions and thinprep cytologic test (TCT) was observed. The measurement data between the two groups by was compared using t-test. The positive rate of HPV infection was 22.31% in Mongolian married women in Hulunbuir area. Drinking habits and the number of sexual partners were the common infection factors of all high-risk types. Infection factors of HPV16, 18, and other high-risk types also included number of marriages. There was a significant difference between the content of HPV DNA in CIN I patients before treatment and the two groups at 12 and 18 months after treatment (p < 0.05). The number of patients with degree III or IV of cleanliness and TCT showed that the number of patients with low-grade atypical hyperplasia decreased with the treatment time, which was consistent with the change of HPV DNA content. In the Hulunbuir area, the number of Mongolian women with HPV infection is higher than that of the Han nationality, so we should strengthen the popularization and propaganda of the knowledge about HPV infection in the Mongolian population settlement. The change of DNA content of high-risk HPV can be used as the observation index of CIN I treatment evaluation.

Records of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) from Mongolia

In Mongolia, there are 19 known social wasp species (12 spp. in Vespinae, 7 spp. in Polistinae), for some of which defi nite collection data are needed to confi rm their actual occurrence in this country. New distribution data are provided for seven vespine species and four Polistes species from Mongolia. Taxonomic comments are given to each species when necessary. New information about the nesting habits of some Dolichovespula and Polistes species is presented for the Mongolian populations. Keys to the Mongolian species of Vespinae and Polistinae are presented.

ЭМИГРАЦИЯ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ МОНГОЛИИ: ВОПРОСЫ И АНАЛИЗ

The work examines the processes of emigration of Mongolian citizens and their problems, including the author studied and analyzed the reasons for emigration. It should be noted that not so many decades have passed since the Mongols began to freely travel abroad, and therefore the relevance of the study carried out is to study the emigration process of Mongolian citizens and find out the nature of the reasons for the departure of citizens to other countries. The analysis of the emigration of the population was facilitated by various reasons, such as environmental, political, economic, social, cultural and others. In the methodological part, methods of sampling, collection and analysis of data, as well as methods of empirical research were used. The object of study is the emigration of the Mongolian population, the subject of the study is the study of the emigration process of Mongolian citizens in the context of different periods. The purpose of studying this direction is to study and identify the main difficulties and problems of the emigration process in Mongolia and present a comprehensive analysis. The methodological part of the study included the use of sampling methods, the use of methods for collecting and analyzing data, as well as empirical research. In the years before the pandemic, the number of Mongols, living and working in other countries, was constantly growing, but due to a number of reasons, including the pandemic, some citizens began to return to their homeland. The government of Mongolia has taken a number of measures to return its citizens to their homeland over the past and this year. A generation of young people aged 25-44 remains permanently. Studies have shown that India, Russia, China, Japan, Australia, Germany and Ireland are preferred for study, with the largest number of people going to South Korea, the Czech Republic and Hungary to work under labour contracts. In terms of the ratio of men and women over the years, a larger percentage falls on women according to the gender survey and indicates that the number of women living abroad exceeds the number of men. Thus, it is time to decide the need to form a single transparent system for the formal collection of information on external migration, including information on working and living conditions, on the consequences of migration, therefore, it will be easier to accurately determine the goals of the emigration outflow and one of the ways to find a solution to this issue. considered due to external emigration

Почитание Большой Медведицы в среде ойратов и калмыков: древнейшие представления и буддийские напластования. Часть 2

Introduction. Ursa Major is the constellation most venerated by Mongolic peoples. Goals. The article seeks to examine related beliefs traced in folklore and collected field data, reveal key mythological characteristics, and cast light upon diachronous layers in the beliefs of Kalmyks and Oirats (Western Mongols). So, the work aims at analyzing basic Kalmyk and Oirat folklore plots dealing with origins of the Great Bear in comparison to those of other Mongolic cultures; and at examining the concept of Ursa Major against the background of some calendar rites and revered mythological images with due regard of contemporary ceremonies addressed to the constellation. Materials. The paper analyzes folklore and ethnographic materials. Results. Part 1 of the article identifies main variants of mythological texts about Ursa Major (Mong. Долоон бурхан, Долоон өвгөн, Kalm. Долан бурхн, Долан одн) existing in Kalmyk and Oirat discourses, comparing the latter to myths of other Mongolic populations. It shows that basically the myths narrate about seven male characters (siblings, sworn brothers, or thieves) or an ox-man, though etymology of terms may tie the constellation (its emergence) to the archaic plot of day and night alternation as a chase of shedeer, and the solar theme at large. Part 2 further analyzes Ursa Major-related beliefs and compares the latter to some calendar rites and mythological images revered in Kalmyk and Oirat culture. The paper informs that the constellation was sometimes referred to by the Oirats as ‘Seven Maral Deer’ (Oir. Долоон марал), which implies our analysis may extend to the legend of how the heavenly hunter pursued a flock of she-deer. The Oirat oral tradition believes that both the characters of Ursa Major stories and Khukhedei Mergen the Hunter (whose chase made three she-deer turn into the three stars of Orion’s Belt therefore referred to by the Mongols as ‘Three She-Deer’, Mong. Гурван марал, Kalm. Һурвн марл) can be considered masters of the two horses tied to the ‘Golden Pole’ (i.e. Pole Star) — two stars of Ursa Minor. Oirats and Kalmyks also associate Ursa Major with thawing weather, protection of children, livestock (from wolves), and increase of its numbers, remission of sins — similar functions attributed to the White Old Man (Kalm. Цаhан аав) revered by the Oirats as the Lord of the Altai, while Kalmyks tend to view him as a protector deity of the nation, one of his manifestations being that of the Lord of the Year (Kalm. Җилин эзн). The article also analyzes contemporary Buddhist rites dealing with Ursa Major among Mongolic populations.

Genetic Diversity of Mongolian Long-Eared Bats (Plecotus; Vespertilionidae; Chiroptera)

Most of the molecular taxonomic studies on the Eurasian long-eared bats (Plecotus) are based on mitochondrial data only, which might lead to erroneous assessment of the phylogenetic relationships. Here, the genetic divergence among the Mongolian species of Plecotus is examined using sequences of two nuclear introns (THY and ABHD11) and the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Both mitochondrial and nuclear data support the existence of three species: Plecotus ognevi, P. kozlovi, and P. turkmenicus. The status of the latter taxon was unclear, as it was previously known from a single record in Mongolia. In our study, P. turkmenicus is found to be widely distributed across the hyperarid deserts south of the Altai Mountains. In several locations, it is sympatric with P. kozlovi, the distribution of which is associated mostly with the semidesert zone, while P. ognevi occurs in the steppe and forest zones of northern Mongolia. The two desert species (P. kozlovi and P. turkmenicus) are quite similar in their morphology and ecological affinities; however, the molecular data clearly show that P. turkmenicus is highly divergent from both P. kozlovi and P. ognevi. In contrast, the mtDNA difference between the arid-dwelling P. kozlovi and the morphologically distant forest-steppe P. ognevi is low. This result demonstrates that more than one lineage of Plecotus independently developed adaptations to the arid habitats of Central Asia and suggests that the morphological similarity between P. kozlovi and P. turkmenicus is a result of convergence. The difference in mtDNA between the Mongolian and West-Central Asian populations of P. turkmenicus indicates that the former may represent a separate taxon of uncertain rank.

Genesis of Nomadic Cattle Breeding in Mongolia and Southern Trans-Baikal Territory: Prerequisites and Reasons

The article reveals the prerequisites and reasons for development of nomadic cattle breeding in the paleo-economy of the nomadic population of Mongolia and southern Trans-Baikal Territory. The article analyses the changes that occurred in the economic activities of the archaeological cultures of the region during the Bronze Age. The complex type of economy of the Selenga-Daurian culture of the Eneolithic-Early Bronze Age is characterised, which combined the branches of the producing and appropriating economy. The sedentary lifestyle of representatives of the Selenga-Daurian culture is grounded. The nomadic nature of the economy and lifestyle of the population of the culture of tiled graves of the developed Late Bronze Age is shown. The change of cattle breeding in the local type to nomadic cattle breeding is associated with aridisation of the climate which began at the end of the 3rd millennium BC and ended in the middle of 2nd millennium BC. The economic, biological and natural-climatic prerequisites for the transition to nomadism are highlighted including the accumulation of experience in the field of cattle breeding in the Early Metal Age, the adaptive abilities of farm animals for keeping in the open air, changes in the natural environment in the direction of climate aridisation and xerophytisation of vegetation steppes. The reason for the transition to nomadic cattle breeding was the establishment of severe continental climate with hot, dry summers and winters with little snow in the region in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. The arid climate worsened the conditions for farming, hunting, fishing and gathering. The small thickness of the snow cover in winter made it possible to switch to year-round keeping of animals on pasture with periodic change of pastures as they were depleted. As a result, the economy of the steppe population was reorganised into nomadic cattle breeding and a mobile nomadic way of life of the population was formed

The «bone» version of the anthropomorphic model in the traditional worldview of the Turko-Mongols of Inner Asia: images, meaning, functions

The human body, its structure, appears as a universal model of the structure of the world around us and the society. Through the anatomical code, the Universal chaos is set in order, structures arise, hierarchies are estab-lished. The most illustrative example of a structure is the human skeleton. The purpose of this article is to identify the entire known corpus of information about this anthropomorphic model and to reconstruct the meaning and functions of the “bone” system in the worldview and life of the Turko-Mongols of Inner Asia. Historical, ethno-graphic and folklore materials represented the sources of the research. The methods used were comparative historical analysis which helps to identify common features in understanding and interpretation of natural phe-nomena and cultural objects in the Turko-Mongolian world, and the method of cultural and historical reconstruc-tion, which allows to determine the logic of the archaic conceptions. In the culture of the Turko–Mongolian popula-tions of Inner Asia, the anthropomorphic model in one of its variants, expressed in the skeleton, is extremely im-portant for organising and regulating the life of society. In the nomadic culture, an extensive complex of ideas has been identified, related to the «bone» version of the anthropomorphic model and representing different ideas. The main ideas consider bones of a person as a life resource of their family (in case of animals — their species), closely connected with the generation counting system and the perception of the degree of kinship. These per-ceptions substantiate the ideas of the necessity to preserve the skeleton after the death of a person (and all living creatures in general, especially revered animals), and funeral traditions, also confirmed by linguistic data. The evolution of beliefs based on vitality contained in the bones was reflected in the religious customs of the hunting and fishing complex, the ritual practices of the daily life of nomads, accompanied by the slaughter of animals. The concept of «bone» and its derivatives in the worldview of the Turko-Mongols is associated with views about the so-cial structure of the community, the state of the entire organism as a whole, the dignity and character of a person.

Genetic substructure and admixture of Mongolians and Kazakhs inferred from genome-wide array genotyping

Background Mongolian populations are widely distributed geographically, showing abundant ethnic diversity with geographic and tribal differences. Aim To infer the genetic substructure, admixture and ancient genetic sources of Mongolians together with Kazakhs Subjects and methods We genotyped more than 690,000 genome-wide SNPs from 33 Mongolian and Chinese Kazakh individuals and compared these with both ancient and present-day Eurasian populations using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), ADMIXTURE, Refine-IBD, f statistics, qpWave and qpAdm. Results We found genetic substructures within Mongolians corresponding to Ölöd, Chahar, and Inner Mongolian clusters, which was consistent with tribe classifications. Mongolian and Kazakh groups derived about 6–40% of West Eurasian related ancestry, most likely from Bronze Age Steppe populations. The East Asian related ancestry in Mongolian and Kazakh groups was well represented by the Neolithic DevilsCave related nomadic lineage, comprising 42–64% of studied groups. We also detected 10–51% of Han Chinese related ancestry in Mongolian and Kazakh groups, especially in Inner Mongolians. The average admixture times for Inner Mongolian, Mongolian_Chahar, Mongolian_Ölöd and Chinese Kazakh were about 1381, 626, 635 and 632 years ago, respectively, with Han and French as the sources. Conclusion The DevilsCave related ancestry was once widespread westwards covering a wide geographical range from Far East Russia to the Mongolia Plateau. The formation of present-day Mongolic and Turkic-speaking populations has also received genetic influence from agricultural expansion.

A Dynamic 6,000-Year Genetic History of Eurasia’s Eastern Steppe

SummaryThe Eastern Eurasian Steppe was home to historic empires of nomadic pastoralists, including the Xiongnu and the Mongols. However, little is known about the region’s population history. Here, we reveal its dynamic genetic history by analyzing new genome-wide data for 214 ancient individuals spanning 6,000 years. We identify a pastoralist expansion into Mongolia ca. 3000 BCE, and by the Late Bronze Age, Mongolian populations were biogeographically structured into three distinct groups, all practicing dairy pastoralism regardless of ancestry. The Xiongnu emerged from the mixing of these populations and those from surrounding regions. By comparison, the Mongols exhibit much higher eastern Eurasian ancestry, resembling present-day Mongolic-speaking populations. Our results illuminate the complex interplay between genetic, sociopolitical, and cultural changes on the Eastern Steppe.

Почитание Большой Медведицы в среде ойратов и калмыков: древнейшие представления и буддийские напластования. Часть 1

Introduction. Ursa Major is the constellation most venerated by Mongolic peoples. Goals. The article seeks to analyze related beliefs traced in folklore and collected field data, reveal key mythological characteristics, and cast light upon diachronous layers in the beliefs of Kalmyks and Oirats (Western Mongols). So, the work aims at analyzing basic Kalmyk and Oirat folklore plots dealing with origins of the Great Bear in comparison to those of other Mongolic cultures; and at examining the concept of Ursa Major against the background of some calendar rites and revered mythological images with due regard of contemporary ceremonies addressed to the constellation. Materials. Part One investigates folklore, ethnographic, and linguistic sources involved, thus focusing on the first objective declared. Part Two to be published in the next issue of the journal shall deal with the remaining tasks. Results. The paper identifies main variants of mythological texts about Ursa Major (Mong. Долоон бурхан, Долоон өвгөн, Kalm. Долан бурхн, Долан одн) existing in Kalmyk and Oirat discourses, comparing the latter to myths of other Mongolic populations. Basically, the myths narrate about seven male characters (siblings, sworn brothers, or thieves) or an ox-man. The Kalmyk plot of thieves is somewhat unique in Mongolic traditions, being rather typical for Turkic ones. The plot of ox-man Masn Miru (or Massang) was borrowed from Tibet, though etymology of terms may tie the constellation (its emergence) to the archaic plot of day and night alternation as a chase of she-deer, and the solar theme at large.

The timing of breeding and independence for snow leopard females and their cubs

Significant knowledge gaps persist on snow leopard demography and reproductive behavior. From a GPS-collared population in Mongolia, we estimated the timing of mating, parturition and independence. Based on three mother–cub pairs, we describe the separation phase of the cub from its mother as it gains independence. Snow leopards mated from January–March and gave birth from April–June. Cubs remained with their mother until their second winter (20–22 months of age) when cubs started showing movements away from their mother for days at a time. This initiation of independence appeared to coincide with their mother mating with the territorial male. Two female cubs remained in their mothers’ territory for several months after initial separation, whereas the male cub quickly dispersed. By comparing the relationship between body size and age of independence across 11 solitary, medium-to-large felid species, it was clear that snow leopards have a delayed timing of separation compared to other species. We suggest this may be related to their mating behavior and the difficulty of the habitat and prey capture for juvenile snow leopards. Our results, while limited, provide empirical estimates for understanding snow leopard ecology and for parameterizing population models.

BRIP1 rs10744996C>A variant increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Mongolian population of northern China.

What is the central question of this study? What is the role of breast cancer type 1 interacting protein C-terminal helicase 1 (BRIP1) polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? What is the main finding and its importance? Variant rs10744996C>A of BRIP1 increases the susceptibility of the Mongolian population to COPD. The expression of BRIP1 was significantly reduced in cigarette smoke extract-treated airway epithelial cells. Cigarette smoke is a major environmental pollutant that can induce DNA damage in humans. The development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to be related to the impairment of DNA repair. Breast cancer type 1 interacting protein C-terminal helicase 1 (BRIP1) plays an important role in DNA interstrand crosslink repair and double-strand break repair. However, the role of BRIP1 polymorphisms in COPD has not been previously described. In this study, whole genome sequencing was used to identify mutations, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was used to verify the selected SNPs. In addition the BRIP1 expression levels in 16HBE and A549 airway epithelial cells treated with or without cigarette smoke extract (CSE) were measured using western blotting and RT-qPCR. Rs10744996C>A in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of BRIP1 was then genotyped in 1296 COPD cases and 988 healthy control subjects from a Mongolian population in northern China. Significant differences in the distribution of rs10744996C>A variants between COPD and control groups (P=0.001) were identified. Rs10744996C>A was found to be associated with significantly increased COPD risk (adjusted odds ratio=1.60, 95% CI=1.30-1.98, P<0.0001). Additionally, rs10744996A genotype was found to interact with a family history of cancer and a history of x-ray exposure (P=0.028 and 0.009, respectively). BRIP1 expression levels in 16HBE and A549 cells treated with CSE were significantly lower compared to the control treated cells. The rs10744996C>A variant of BRIP1 increased the COPD susceptibility of the Mongolian population cohort. BRIP1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced in conjunction with CSE-induced DNA damage in 16HBE and A549 cells.

Forensic and phylogenetic characterization of 15 autosomal STRs in Hazara population of Pakistan.

In the current study, 217 unrelated individuals of the Hazara population were genotyped for 15 autosomal short tandem repeats to generate parentage and forensic efficacy parameters. Hazaras belong to the Shi'a sect and are recognized by their Turko-Mogholi features. We found that D2S1338 was the most discriminatory locus with a maximum power of exclusion and high value of polymorphism information content. Whilst the Combined Power of Discrimination (CPD), Combined Matching Probability (CMP) and Combined Power of Exclusion (CPE) were 0.999999999999999, 2.76796338879E-17 and 0.999999040733479 respectively. Furthermore, the pattern of genetic affinity with genetically assumed related populations was demonstrated through Heat Map and Phylogenetic analysis, which revealed a great level of genetic closeness of Hazaras with Mongol population and descendants of Genghis Khan. The resulting data can be used for forensic applications and anthropological studies.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Mental Health in Mongolia

Abstract Background Promotion of mental health and well-being is recently recognized as a health priority at the global level. In Mongolia, mental health issues have been on the rise. However, less is known on socioeconomic inequality in mental health in the country. The aim of this study is to examine socioeconomic inequality in mental health in the adult population in Mongolia. Methods This study analyzed the data of 30,567 adults from the Household Socio-Economic Survey, collected in 2012 by the National Statistical Office of Mongolia. Self-reported mental health was used as a health outcome variable. Socioeconomic status was measured by household income. We employed the Wagstaff's concentration index to assess the degree of socioeconomic inequality in mental health. Results The results show that the prevalence of self-reported mental health was 1.17% among the respondents. The adults living in urban areas suffer significantly more with mental illness compared to the adults living in rural settlements. The Wagstaff's concentration index for mental health was significantly negative (-0.243), indicating that mental health problems were concentrated among the lower-income groups. The decomposition results show that education, economic activity status and marital status were the main contributors to socioeconomic inequalities in mental health after removing age-sex related contributions. Conclusions Socioeconomic inequality in mental health exists in the adult population in Mongolia, which was mainly explained by the education level, employment and marital status. Prospective policies are needed to reduce socioeconomic inequality in mental health in the country. Key messages Socioeconomic inequality in mental health exists in Mongolia. It calls for further policy actions.