Background: Numerous international studies have established that the antibacterial activity of honey is attributed to its key components, including hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, peptides, polyphenolic compounds, high sugar content, and acidic pH. Despite the vast consumption of different types of honey in Mongolia, there is a lack of sufficient scientific evidence on their antibacterial properties, which served as the rationale for conducting this study. Aim: A study comparing the antibacterial activity of honey commonly traded in Mongolia. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using an experimental research design. Eight standard pathogenic bacterial strains were utilized: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 1706, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 700699, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, Salmonella enterica ATCC 13076, and Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606. A total of 14 honey samples were selected for the study, comprising 11 samples sourced from the Uvs, Tuv, Sukhbaatar, Khentii, Dornod, Darkhan, Selenge, and Khuvsgul provinces of Mongolia, and 3 Manuka-type honey samples from Australia. The samples were serially diluted in broth using a 96-well U-bottom microtiter plate. One microliter of each bacterial suspension was added, and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 18–24 hours. Subsequently, the cultures were spread onto Mueller-Hinton agar and incubated under the same conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by evaluating bacterial growth inhibition and bactericidal activity, respectively. Result: Among the tested samples, the Manuka honey with MGO 570 and the honey collected from Tumentsogt soum in Sukhbaatar province exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity against MRSA, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5% (v/v) and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 25% (v/v). In contrast, the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey with UMF 5 and the honeys sourced from Tuv, Uvs, and Khalkhgol soum in Dornod province demonstrated MIC and MBC values of 25% (v/v) and 50% (v/v), respectively. The Manuka honey with MGO 30, as well as the honeys collected from Selenge, Darkhan, Sukhbaatar, Khentii, and Rashaant and Tarialan soums in Khuvsgul province, showed comparatively weaker activity against MRSA, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion 1. The antibacterial activity of natural and cultivated floral honeys was assessed by determining their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against eight standard bacterial strains. 2. All seven natural floral honey samples exhibited measurable antibacterial effects against the tested strains, whereas some of the cultivated floral honey samples showed no observable activity against certain bacterial strains.

Background: Dental caries is a preventable disease influenced by individual behavior, dietary habits, lifestyle, and health literacy. According to data from preventive health screenings initiated in Mongolia in 2022, dental caries accounted for 77.7% of 258,008 suspected conditions identified among children aged 0–17 years. Reducing the prevalence and severity of dental caries in children requires strengthening primary health care systems that emphasize the prevention and early detection of oral diseases and the provision of oral health education, rather than focusing solely on the treatment of existing dental caries. Aim: To assess the policy environment and implementation context of oral health care within primary health care in Mongolia and to identify key challenges and priority areas for improvement. Materials and Methods: A policy document review was conducted. The study included legal and policy documents governing primary health care as of 2026, together with relevant statistical data on oral diseases, health workforce, and financing. The collected information was categorized into key domains and synthesized and compared using an analytical matrix. Result: The current policy environment for primary health care in Mongolia does not yet provide all the conditions necessary to deliver equitable and prevention-oriented oral health services to the population. In particular, residents of soums and villages have limited access through their local health facilities to comprehensive services for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral and maxillofacial conditions. The inclusion of prevention, early detection, and primary oral health care within the “Healthy Teeth” initiative represents a positive policy development; however, mechanisms to ensure effective implementation remain insufficient. Although the Health Insurance Fund covers the costs of selected dental treatments for children and pregnant women, oral health care remains costly for other age groups, creating a considerable financial burden and limiting access to necessary services. Conclusion Reducing the burden of oral and maxillofacial diseases in Mongolia requires a transition from a treatment-oriented system toward primary health care based on prevention, early detection, and oral health education. Oral health care should be integrated into primary health care, with improved access at the soum and village levels and comprehensive strengthening of the health workforce, financing, and implementation mechanisms.

Background: Erysipelas is an acute, recurrent infectious disease caused by Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus. Recurrence occurs in 12–29% of patients, and complications in approximately 31%. International studies indicate that age, sex, and skin conditions are key factors influencing complications and recurrence. In Mongolia, the incidence of erysipelas has not steadily declined, and there is a lack of studies investigating clinical and laboratory predictors of complications and recurrence. Aim:: This study aimed to investigate clinical and laboratory predictors of complications and recurrence among erysipelas cases registered in Mongolia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 165 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of erysipelas at the National Center for Communicable Diseases between 2020 and 2024 were randomly selected. Data were collected based on the “Clinical Guidelines for Erysipelas.” Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-26, and ROC curve analysis along with regression models were used to determine risk and predictive factors. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 50.4±14.2 years; 76.5% were female, and 32.1% were herders. Recurrence was observed in 55.1% of patients (42.8% repeated episodes, 57.2% recurrent cases), and complications occurred in 10.3%. Among patients with complications, lesions were most commonly located on the face (41.2%) and predominantly presented as erythematous-bullous forms (70.6%). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was 7.1 (AUC: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79–0.91, p=0.001), and the systemic inflammatory response index was 3.9 (AUC: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.98, p=0.001), indicating high levels. Multivariable regression analysis showed that risk factors for complications included age >45 years (aOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.7, p=0.004), female sex (aOR=2.8, 95% CI: 1.7–4.6, p=0.001), and occupation (herder) (aOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.3–5.4, p=0.001). Chronic tonsillitis was significantly associated with recurrence (OR=3.8, 95% CI: 2.5–5.7, p=0.001). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that each additional year of age increased the risk of complications by 2% (HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03, p=0.003), while the presence of chronic tonsillitis increased the risk of recurrence by 7.69 times (HR=7.69, 95% CI: 5.15–11.49, p=0.001). Conclusion Cellular ratio indicators in erysipelas are useful for assessing inflammatory activity and disease progression. Age, sex, occupation, and the presence of chronic tonsillitis significantly influence the risk of complications and recurrence in erysipelas.

Background: Senear-Usher Syndrome, also known as pemphigus erythematosus, is a rare autoimmune blistering skin disease characterized by overlapping clinical, histopathological, and immunological features of both lupus erythematosus and pemphigus foliaceus. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 46-year-old male diagnosed with Senear-Usher Syndrome, who presented to the outpatient clinic of the National Dermatology Center of Mongolia and received inpatient treatment. Diagnosis: The patient exhibited diffuse, thick, pale gray scales and yellowish crusts on the scalp. Multiple brown hyperpigmented macules of various shapes and sizes, vivid erythema, and a few erosions were observed on the nose, cheeks, trunk, and upper and lower extremities. A few pea-sized vesicles containing clear fluid were scattered on the back. Nikolsky's sign was weakly positive, and Besnier-Meshchersky's sign was positive. Histopathology: Histopathological analysis of skin biopsies revealed hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, and acanthosis in the epidermis. Subcorneal cleft formation with neutrophils within the cleft was noted, along with perivascular infiltration of neutrophils and lymphohistiocytes in the superficial dermis. Treatment: The patient received treatment with hydroxychloroquine, systemic and topical corticosteroids, and symptomatic therapy. Outcome: Following treatment, the patient's general condition improved significantly. The erosions re-epithelialized, and the vesicles resolved, leaving behind brown hyperpigmented macules. The patient is currently under regular follow-up by a dermatologist and a family physician. Conclusion Senear-Usher Syndrome is a rare disease with a high potential for misdiagnosis. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis relies on a comprehensive evaluation of clinical features, histopathological examination, and direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies.

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) accounts for approximately 20% of all malignant skin tumors and is the second most common skin cancer worldwide. Although the prognosis is generally favorable when diagnosed at an early stage, large tumors with invasion into surrounding tissues and metastasis to regional lymph nodes tend to exhibit more aggressive behavior. In particular, reconstruction of large tissue defects following wide excision of skin tumors remains a significant clinical challenge. Case presentation: We present a rare case of cSCC in a 69-year-old male patient, located on the left hip. The lesion measured 13x9 cm, with well-demarcated borders from the surrounding normal skin, prominently elevated above the skin surface, and characterized by a bluish-brown color. The central superior portion of the lesion was depressed and ulcerated with infiltrative features. Histopathological examination confirmed a well-differentiated, keratinizing invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Computed tomography revealed a soft tissue density mass at the skin surface of the left lower abdomen, along with enlargement of the left inguinal lymph nodes. Treatment: The patient underwent wide local excision of the tumor along with regional lymph node dissection (lymphadenectomy). The resulting large tissue defect was reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap. During surgery, indocyanine green (ICG) angiography was performed to assess flap perfusion, and handheld Doppler was used to evaluate vascular flow. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful. The flap survived successfully with adequate perfusion. Histopathological examination confirmed negative surgical margins, and no metastasis was identified in the lymph nodes. The patient remains in stable condition without any complaints or symptoms and is under regular follow-up by an oncologist. Conclusion This case demonstrates that combining wide excision with free flap reconstruction is an effective approach for managing large cSCC. In addition, the use of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography for intraoperative assessment of vascular perfusion enhances flap viability and contributes to improved surgical outcomes.

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data from 2022, 19.9 million people were diagnosed with cancer globally, and 9.7 million people died from the disease. In recent years, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been rapidly increasing, ranking 4th among all cancers with 18.4 cases and 8.1 deaths per 100,000 population. In Mongolia, 826 new cases of CRC have been registered over the past six years, with an incidence rate of 8.2 cases and a mortality rate of 5.03 per 100,000 population. It is projected that by 2030, the incidence will reach 13.28 cases and the mortality rate will rise to 8.72 per 100,000 population. We aimed to comprehensively examine the risk factors for colorectal cancer among the population of Mongolia, establish a scientific basis for early detection and prevention, and strengthen preventive measures. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted from 2022 to 2024. The study enrolled a total of 305 subjects, including 98 patients with colorectal cancer, 101 patients with colon polyps, and 106 healthy subjects. The risk. questionnaire consisted of 50 questions divided into 10 sections. All statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 23.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. categorical data was represented as numbers and percentages. Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the risk factor associated with recurrence. The study protocol was approved by Ethics Review Committee of Ministry of Health of Mongolia on 17 March 2023 (approval number: 23/012). Results: The average age of the participants was 57.1±12.8 years. Among all study participants, 37.6% (115) were male and 62.4% (188) were female. Comparison of colorectal cancer incidence by age and gender revealed no statistically significant differences (p=0.021; p=0.422). Regular physical exercise was found to have a protective effect against colorectal cancer (p=0.076; OR 0.341 95% Cl 0.118-.0986). The frequency of fruit consumption, 4 to 6 times per week (p=0.008, OR 0.08, 95% Cl 0.01-0.45), frequency of vegetable consumption 4 to 6 times per week (p<0.00; OR 0.07, 95% Cl 0.02-0.19), no dining out (0.007, OR 0.3, 95% Cl 0.18-0.68), and meat consumption (p=0.001) are decreased risk of colorectal cancer. Conclusion The patient's age and the presence of colon polyps are risk factors for colorectal cancer, while regular physical activity and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables are protective factors that help reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Background: The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mongolia was reported on November 11, 2020. In response, the government imposed a nationwide lockdown, which significantly impacted the population’s mental health. Heightened levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression during the pandemic altered individuals’ psychological stability and behavior. Personality traits—defined as relatively stable patterns of emotion, cognition, and behavior—play a key role in stress responses and emotional regulation under pressure. Emerging evidence suggests that these psychological factors may influence the immune system’s responsiveness, including vaccine-induced antibody production. Aim: To evaluate the association between post-vaccination antibody responses and personality types following two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Materials and Methods: A total of 738 participants who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca ChAdOx1, n=29; Pfizer-BioNTech, n=119; Sinopharm BBIBP, n=590) and had no prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Serum samples were collected 21–28 days after the second dose, and SARS-CoV-2 RBD (S) IgG antibodies were measured using ELISA (Proteintech Inc., USA). Personality types were assessed using a 56-item temperament questionnaire developed by A. Belov, categorizing individuals into classical temperament types (choleric, phlegmatic, sanguine, melancholic). Logistic regression and ROC analysis were used to examine associations between personality types and antibody response. Results: The presence of an antibody response was significantly higher among individuals with a melancholic temperament, and significantly lower among those with a phlegmatic temperament. Furthermore, antibody titers were higher in participants with melancholic and sanguine temperaments and lower in those with a phlegmatic type. Conclusions 1. During the early period following the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, the antibody response was higher in individuals with a pure melancholic temperament, while it was lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament. 2. After the second dose of the Sinopharm BBIBP COVID-19 vaccine, antibody titers were higher in individuals with pure melancholic and sanguine temperaments, and lower in those with a phlegmatic temperament.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are often considered a form of contraception by women of reproductive age because of their reversible, effective, safe, and convenient nature. However, its complications include bleeding, infection, displacement, and uterine perforation. Effective contraception can minimize the risk of unintended pregnancy, particularly for women who have additional health risks associated with unintended pregnancy. Intrauterine device (IUD) is considered to be a highly effective and reversible method of contraception (long-acting reversible contraceptives) that is suitable for most women, highly effective, affordable, and requires minimum patient compliance [1]. Despite being infrequent, perforation constitutes a significant complication associated with IUD insertion, with an estimated incidence of 0.8–2.2 per 1,000 insertions [2, 3]. Ultrasound is the preferred diagnostic modality in cases where partial embedding of the IUD is suspected. However, when the IUD extends near or beyond the uterine serosa, radiologists can more confidently diagnose embedding [4]. The patient is a 44-year-old woman with four children. She gave birth for the first time in 1997. A contraceptive device was inserted in 1999, and another was placed four months after her 2009 delivery. She does not recall the date when she had the latter device removed and has no record of having seen it. This case represents a rare instance of secondary bladder stone formation resulting from migration of an intrauterine device (T-shaped IUD) into the bladder. Rapid diagnostic methods, including ultrasonography, CT, and cystoscopy, along with endoscopic surgical intervention, proved to be the most effective approach for both diagnosis and treatment.

The Jerusalem Artichoke (JA) (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is an annual plant native to North America and widely distributed in Europe and Central Asia. The tuber of JA contains 80% water, 15% polysaccharide (Inulin etc.), 2% protein, and a small amount of starch and fat. Inulin is a polysaccharide that is widely used as a prebiotic, fat substitute, and sugar substitute. This substance has high biological activity and is contained in large quantities.
The purpose of this study was to standardize the quality and safety of dried tubers of JA. Standardization includes parameters such as microscopic analysis, identification, quantification, validation of methods following the guidelines issued by ICH guidelines, and quality, including safety analysis (appearance, moisture, mechanical impurities, heavy metals, microbiological purity).
The content of inulin was 64.17±1.25%. The mean relative standard deviation of method validation (RMS%) was 1.27%, 1.18%, 1.22%, and the relative mean standard deviation (RMS) of method precision was 1.94%. The specific absorbance was 307 nm. The correlation coefficient R2=0.9998 was obtained for the reference curve of the standard substance. The detection limit of the method was 2.64 μg/ml, and the detection limit was 7.99 μg/ml.
The method mentioned above has been confirmed to be suitable for the quantitative determination of inulin in the tuber of JA. Moreover, Microbiological purity and heavy metal requirements are met.

Background: TED (thyroid eye disease) is an inflammatory disease of the orbit caused by autoimmune diseases of the thyroid, which adversely affect the vision, appearance, and quality of life. Exophthalmos and eyelid retraction are the main features of TED, which can lead to ocular motility, diplopia, optic neuropathy, and permanent vision loss. The study aims to determine the most common clinical signs of TED in Mongolians and define whether there is a correlation with the levels of thyroid autoantibodies. Methods: The study involved 102 patients with TED and 81 patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy. The clinical features of TED were identified and evaluated by activity score (CAS) and severity of GO using the European Group of Graves’ Orbitopathy (EUGOGO). Results: The mean age of TED patients was 42.6±11.2, which was younger than GD patients (P=0.012). The current smoker was 24 patients (23.5%) with TED, which is relatively higher than GD (P=0.0001). The most common ocular signs were eyelid retraction 80 (78.4%), proptosis 77 (75.5%), diplopia 14 (13.7%) and 4% vision loss. There were no differences in proptosis between the right (18 mm, median) and left eye (17.8 mm, median) (P>0.05). The mean CAS score was 3.09±1.72 and varied depending on gender and smoking. According to EUGOGO, 62.7% of the patients were moderately severe. Only 7 % of the patients were in the sight-threatening stage, presenting optic neuropathy and corneal breakdown. The mean TSI level in patients with TED was 37.95 ± 35.41 IU / ml, which was 2.7 times higher than the mean in patients with GD. Conclusions Eyelid retraction and exophthalmos are the most common clinical signs of TED. Early diagnosis of these features can prevent complications of the disease. Determining serum TSI levels will help in the treatment and monitoring of TED.