1.Interactions between herbs and conventional drugs
Narantungalag D ; Maralmaa T ; Oigonchimeg B ; Ser-Od B ; Tsetsegsuren E ; Gerelmaa B ; Sarnai S
Diagnosis 2024;110(3):5-13
This article provides an overview of the clinical evidence of interactions between herbal and conventional medicines. Herbs involved in drug interactions – or that have been evaluated in pharmacokinetic trials – are discussed in this review. While many of the interactions reported are of limited clinical significance and many herbal products (echinacea, valerian) seem to expose patients to minor risk
under conventional pharmacotherapy, a few herbs, notably St. John’s wort, may provoke adverse events sufficiently serious about endangering the patient’s health.
Healthcare professionals should remain vigilant for potential interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs, especially when drugs with a narrow therapeutic index are used. Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort) extracts are widely used as a safe alternative to conventional antidepressant drugs for mild to moderate forms of depressive disorders.
St. John’s wort represents the herbal product that is most involved in herb-to drug interactions.
The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the clinical data regarding the E2 interactions between herbal remedies and prescribed drugs.
For patients on prescription medications, the concomitant use of herbal medications can cause serious and adverse effects. It is the responsibility of health professionals to be well informed about the clinical evidence of herb-drug interactions.
2.Comparison of umbilical cord blood gas parameters of newborns with the use of some labory induction drugs
Oigonchimeg B ; Sarnai S ; Maralmaa T ; Ser-Od B ; Tsetsegsuren E ; Gerelmaa B ; Narantungalag D
Diagnosis 2024;110(3):40-46
Background:
Induction of labor is a procedure performed to prevent maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The effects of birth control pills on babies are still controversial. Therefore, we conducted this study to compare the effects of oxytocin and misoprostol on fetal blood gas parameters.
Aim:
To compare the effects of misoprostol and oxytocin used in labor induction on umbilical cord blood parameters
Materials and methods:
We conducted this study among mothers who gave birth in the NICU, according to the inclusion criteria, a control group (n=30), misoprostol alone vaginally (n=30) and oxytocin drip alone (n= 30) and oxytocin with misoprostol group (n=30) 4 groups used 100 mothers were selected respectively. Umbilical artery blood was sampled and umbilical artery blood pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3, and VE (blood base excess) parameters were measured in the laboratory. The umbilical cord blood acid-alkaline parameters and lactate levels were analyzed and evaluated using COBAS C311 and COBAS B221 instruments. It was compared and determined using SPSS26 and EXCEL programs.
Results:
The average age of all mothers included in the study was 27.87±6.12, the average gestation period was 39.6±0.7 weeks, and the average weight of the newborn was 3466±323 gr. The average umbilical cord blood pH value was 7.34±0.04 in the control group, 7.25±0.07 in the oxytocin group, 7.27±0.04 in the misoprostol group, and 7.24±0.04 in the oxytocin and misoprostol group. And lactate valie was 5.8 in the control group, 7.5 in the oxytocin group, 9.87 in the misoprostol group, 8.7 in the combined group.
Conclusions
Compared to the group that did not use labor-inducing drugs, the mean pH of umbilical cord blood and lactate level were higher or statistically significant in the 3 groups that used labor-inducing drugs, indicating that birth-inducing drugs affect the umbilical cord blood parameters.
3.Indoor Particulate Matter Concentration in Households of Darkhan City
Nyamdorj J ; Bolor M ; Maralmaa E ; Yerkyebulan M ; Ser-Od Kh ; Myagmarchuluun S ; Shatar Sh ; Gantuya D ; Gregory C. Gray ; Junfeng Zhang ; Ulziimaa D ; Damdindorj B ; Khurelbaatar N ; Davaalkham D
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;85(1):25-29
Background:
A 2018 study on the global burden of disease, accidents, and risk factors reported that 1.6 million peo
ple died in 2017 due to household air pollution. Poor indoor air quality has been highlighted as a contributing factor to
respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and exacerbation of asthma and allergies. A 2019 study estimated that
long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less reduces average life
expectancy by 1.8 years, with more severe effects in highly polluted regions. Additionally, a study by Miller et al. (2007)
found that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly among women. Direct
measurement devices are highly effective in determining indoor PM2.5 concentrations, identifying sources of pollution,
tracking pollutant dispersion, and monitoring temporal variations. Studies suggest that direct measurement is an accurate,
cost-effective method that provides detailed data suitable for local conditions.
Aim:
To investigate the indoor air quality of houses and apartments in Darkhan city during the winter season using the
Purple Air monitoring device.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a targeted sample of 128 households in Darkhan
city. The study examined factors such as stove type, type of coal used, annual and daily coal consumption, frequency of
heating, and chimney sealing conditions. To collect data, the Purple Air monitoring device was installed in each house
hold for a month, after which it was retrieved. During retrieval, participants completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire
consisted of 55 questions across 7 pages at the time of device installation and 25 questions across 3 pages at the time of
device retrieval. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 25.0.
Results:
A total of 128 households in Darkhan city participated in the study. The average duration of residence in the
current home was 9.5 years, with no statistically significant variation. The distribution of housing types was as follows:
traditional Mongolian gers (40.6%), houses (39.1%), and apartments (20.3%). The 24-hour average PM2.5 concentration
was highest in gers (70.9 μg/m³), followed by houses (46.8 μg/m³) and apartments (22.8 μg/m³), with a statistically significant difference (p=0.0001). PM2.5 levels were most variable in gers, followed by houses and then apartments. House
holds using central heating (apartments) had an average 24-hour PM2.5 concentration of 22.8 μg/m³, whereas households
using stoves (gers and houses) had a significantly higher concentration of 59.4 μg/m³ (p=0.0001). However, there was
no statistically significant difference between traditional and improved stoves. Among study participants, 21.4% reported
that someone in their household smoked indoors. Additionally, 86.5% regularly burned incense, candles, or herbs, while
99.2% did not use an air purifier.
Conclusion
The indoor particulate matter concentration in houses and gers in Darkhan was 59.4μг/m3. Variations in
stove types, poor chimney sealing limited space, and frequent gaps and cracks contribute to increased spread of indoor
air pollutants.