1.Study result on the correlation between lead exposure and intellectual performance among children
Enkhtuya N ; Gan-Erdene Sh ; Sainsanaa Kh ; Yunden S ; Unursaikhan S
Innovation 2021;15(1):20-23
Background:
Lead is known for their neurotoxicity and compared to adults, children are more vulnerable to lead exposure. Varieties of diseases are developed by lead induced damage in children, including decreased intelligent quotient and behavioral changes, such as anxiety. In normal condition lead does not exist in children’s blood and this toxic heavy metal enters into human body through respiratory way and accumulates in blood and bone to harm neurodegenerative and urinary systems. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether the emitted lead from recycling factory for lead acid batteries, which is located in 9 km distance from Khonkhor town and 39 km faraway from Ulaanbaatar city with north-east direction, is affecting the intelligence of the local children.
Methods:
There are 13 children involved in this study and the participants are divided into two
groups, including subjects, who live in areas outside (n=10) and within (n=3) the 1000 m region of
the factory zone. The blood sampling was collected according to WHO guidelines and lead level
in blood was determined by Leadcare instruments at Environmental health and toxicological
laboratory of National Center for Public Health. The intelligence analysis was conducted by
Raven’s progressive matrices test. And the statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 21 software
to assess correlation of blood lead levels and the intelligence among participated children.
Results:
It is resulted that average lead level for children’s blood samples is 3.1±1.5 ug/dL and
which is found beyond the acceptable range in WHO guidelines. The children’s intelligence was
assessed by Raven’s colored Progressive Matrices analysis, which is practically accepted in China,
which estimated that average intelligence score of participants were 48.3±13.2. According to
correlation analysis of age, sex, intelligence and blood lead level, there was a weak positive
correlation was found between children’s age and lead level in blood. In contrast, a weak reverse
correlation was observed in regarding with sex and blood lead level and intelligence score was
weakly reverse correlated with the lead level in children’s blood samples.
Conclusions
The determined average lead level was 3.1±1.5 ug/dL for blood samples collected
from 13 children who involved in this study and the value is found under the WHO guidance
value. Furthermore, their average intelligence score was estimated as 48.3±13.2. The comparative
analysis shown that intelligence score of 3 children, who lives within 1000 m region of the recycling
factory was lower than those who lives in outside region of the factory and have same age.
2.Risk factors of stomach cancer
Unursaikhan S ; Tsegmed S ; Oyundari B ; Sainsanaa Kh ; Narantuya D
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2021;196(2):95-101
Various studies conducted worldwide emphasized the importance of identifying gastric cancer risk
factors for better prevention and further incidence reduction. A total of 52 identified risk factors for
gastric cancer were classified into nine categories in which diet, lifestyle, and infections are leading
causes. Gastric cancer morbidity and mortality has an increasing trend annually in our country. In
Mongolia, only 1% is diagnosed in the carcinoma stage, 3% in the first stage, 11% in the second
stage, 43% in the third stage, 42% in the fourth stage.
The “Gastric cancer risk factors study, 2018” by L.Tulgaa, and D.Ganchimeg confirmed smoking on
an empty stomach as a risk factor. B.Gantuya et al`s (2018) study on gastric cancer and helicobacter
infection, as well as S.Tsegmed et al`s (2012) gastric cancer prevalence, its risk factors study, had
similar results.
B.Gantuya et al (2018) identified the excessive consumption of salt among the gastric cancer
diagnosed population in Mongolia. Also, L.Tulgaa and D.Ganchimeg et al`s “Gastric cancer risk
factors study, 2018” results reported the daily consumption of salt in tea is a risk for gastric cancer.
L.Tulgaa et al`s (2018) study participants had irregular mealtime such as dinners are at a very late
hour, the meals aren`t chewed well, leftover meals, and seasoning consumption. These characteristics
were significantly different in two groups with a statistically important result.
Furthermore, the study results suggested a need to provide practical advice on healthy eating to the
population as 50% of the participants consumed more than 5 high-risk food products for esophageal
and gastric cancer along with combined risk factors.
3.COVID-19 and quarantine
Nergui R ; Oyundari B ; Sainsanaa Kh ; Lkhagvagarav P ; Bayarjargal M ; Unursaikhan S
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2020;194(4):97-102
COVID-19 global pandemic is spreading rapidly between close contacts through respiratory droplets.
The most effective measures to combat and reduce infection outbreaks include social distancing,
movement restrictions, and health sector capacity building, as well as public health. Scientists
emphasize the importance of containing the number of positive cases without exceeding current
doctors and hospital resources. They concluded that quarantine, particularly complete lockdown is
effective in controlling the risk.
Furthermore, the mistakes reported during lockdown enforcement are the only measures to be taken
when the infection rate peaks. In the highest infection rate, the intensive care unit needs to increase
by 10 percent in only 24 hours if there is no lockdown. In China, complete and partial quarantines in
COVID-19 outbreak areas were effective in containing the infection transmission. Mongolia declared
a state of emergency and enforced quarantine on November 10, 2020, since the first positive case
was reported. Without the quarantine, the number of positive cases is estimated to be 3.2 times
higher.