Background: Globally, approximately 684,000 deaths occur annually due to falls. In Mongolia, 47 individual aged between 45 and 85 have died as a result of falls. Therefore, there is a pressing need to assess fall risks among the general population in Mongolia and identify risk factors to prevent accidents and injuries. Aim: To assess the risk of falls among individuals aged 45 years and older who are receiving care at tertiary-level referral hospitals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 408 participants aged 45 years and above who were attending tertiary-level hospitals in Ulaanbaatar. Fall risk was assessed using the internationally recognized Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59.24±6.54 years; 40% were male and 60% were female. Among the participants, 45.3% (n=185) were categorized as low risk, 33.6% (n=137) as moderate risk, and 21.1% (n=86) as high risk for falls. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors associated with falls. Key factors included: slippery shoe soles (OR=0.226, 95% CI: 0.119–0.428, p=0.001), performing unexpected hazardous movements while changing positions (OR=0.262, 95% CI: 0.143–0.480, p=0.001), use of assistive walking devices (OR=0.209, 95% CI: 0.110–0.397, p=0.001), anxiety or unstable mental status (OR=0.276, 95% CI: 0.148–0.514, p=0.001), tendency to resist instructions or behave stubbornly (OR=0.330, 95% CI: 0.183–0.596, p=0.001), difficulty in recognizing the surrounding environment (OR=0.354, 95% CI: 0.187–0.671, p=0.001), and a history of previous falls (OR=4.737, 95% CI: 2.151–10.429). Conclusion 1. Based on the FRAT assesment, 45.3% of participants had low fall risk, 33.6% moderate risk, and 21.1% high risk. 2. Risk factors such as sudden movements, the use of assistive devices, and emotional instability significantly influence fall risk assessment, and individuals with a history of previous falls are 4.7 times more likely to experience another fall.

Background: To effectively deliver healthcare services, it is necessary to strengthen and expand the education system for qualified biomedical equipment technicians and engineers. This should be combined with measures such as providing modern equipment to health facilities and making spare parts available. Internationally, there is a reference of one engineer responsible for 100 pieces of equipment. Additionally, one engineer is responsible for each major piece of equipment such as MRI, CT, positron emission tomography (PET SCAN), and angiography equipment. However, in our country, the standard is independent of the number of medical equipment. Although 4 universities nationwide train medical equipment engineers and technicians, they are unable to meet the growing market needs. Aim: To assess human resource needs for biomedical equipment specialists. Materials and Methods: We conducted the study using an analytical survey design. In the study, data were collected from a total of 272 engineers and technicians using a self-administered questionnaire that included years of work experience, post-graduate training, qualification level, and workload. The data were processed using SPSS Statistics 26 software, and the results were presented in figures, tables, and sentences. Results: Of the professionals surveyed, 72.4% were male, 95.6% were full-time employees, and 68.8% had a bachelor’s degree. However, the majority (90.4%) of the professionals did not have a professional degree. When asked about the availability of on-the-job and other training among the professionals 73.5% had not received any training at all. The level of training received by professionals did not depend on the organization they worked for. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the level of training received from foreign and manufacturer-sponsored organizations. The professionals surveyed had relatively little training since they started working. As the number of years of experience in their profession increased, the number of times they participated in manufacturer-sponsored training increased. However, the number of times they participated in domestic, foreign, or postgraduate training was not related to the number of years of experience. Conclusion Medical equipment engineers and technicians are working harder than international professionals. The lack of post-graduate training for healthcare professionals is a concern for the industry.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted mental health, particularly exacerbating conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and emotional disorders among hospitalized patients. This study examined the prevalence of COVID-19-related mental health issues and risk factors in hospitalized patients affiliated with MNUMS, compared to a control group. Aim: To assess the prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to identify their associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at hospitals under MNUMS, including the Mongolian-Japanese Hospital, Central Hospital, and the National Center for Maternal and Child Health. A total of 552 participants (399 case group, 153 control group) who were hospitalized were included. Depression (PHQ-9≥10), anxiety (GAD-7≥10), insomnia (ISI≥15), and PTSD (PCL-5≥33) were assessed using standardized scales. Analysis was performed using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression (crude odds ratio [cOR]/adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]), adjusted for group, age, and sex. Results: In the case group, depression (23.1% vs. 13.7%, p=0.015, cOR=1.884 [1.124-3.156]), anxiety (16.8% vs. 11.1%, p=0.096), and any mental disorder (18.0% vs. 13.7%, p=0.225) were higher, while insomnia was lower (19.5% vs. 30.1%, p=0.008). PTSD was low overall (1.8% vs. 0.7%, p=0.333). Risk factors included female sex (p<0.001, cOR=0.362 for depression in males), younger age (p=0.004), unemployment (p=0.017), and prior trauma (p<0.001). COVID-19 symptoms (difficulty breathing) increased the risk of depression (p<0.001, cOR=2.828 [1.708-4.682]). Conclusion Hospitalization for COVID-19 increases the risk of depression and anxiety, modulated by demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors. Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups are essential.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a global mental health crisis. According to WHO estimates, anxiety and depression rose by 25% in the first year. In the post-COVID era, over 70% of patients experience depression, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, and OCD, which can persist for up to 24 months. Hospitalized individuals face heightened risks due to infection severity, treatment stress, and social isolation. However, studies examining treatment outcomes and influencing factors remain limited. In Mongolia, mental health issues escalated sharply from 2020 to 2022; WHO data indicate that anxiety and stress were prevalent among healthcare workers and patients. Children and youth were particularly affected, with UNICEF studies emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. Suicide rates increased from 18.3 per 100,000. Long-term research on post-COVID mental disorders is scarce, impeding policy formulation. This study evaluates treatment outcomes in COVID patients and identifies key factors. By comparing case and control groups at 3 and 12 months, it uncovers differences in symptoms and treatment responses. The comparative design assesses statistical significance via P-values and subgroup success rates for CBT and SSRI therapies. Findings will enhance Mongolia’s mental health services. Larger-scale studies are essential moving forward. Objective: To evaluate treatment outcomes for post-COVID mental disorders and identify influencing factors. To analyze differences in psychological symptoms and treatment between case (COVID-19 positive) and control groups over 3 and 12 months. Material and Method: Retrospective comparative analysis of records from 281 patients (cases n=181, controls n=100) at a unified hospital from 2020-2022. At 12 months, n=200 (cases n=100, controls n=100). Patients were categorized by anxiety, depression, insomnia, and stress-related symptoms, with P-values calculated. Detailed subgroup analysis (n=47 treated patients) was conducted. Results: At 3 months, cases showed higher anxiety (56.4%, P=0.002), depression (41.4%, P<0.001), and insomnia (58%, P=0.107). At 12 months, differences lessened but anxiety (52%, P=0.023) and depression (35%, P=0.042) remained significant. COVID-related new symptoms were elevated in cases (e.g., depression 24.3%, P<0.001). Treatment subgroup success was 95.7% (P<0.001), with duration influencing outcomes (P=0.03). Conclusion Post-COVID mental symptoms persist long-term in cases, and extended treatment durations yield better results. Larger studies are required

BACKGROUND Bovine colostrums is the milk secreted by cows during the first few days after parturition. It contains many essential nutrients and bioactive components, including growth factors, immunoglobulins, lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin and cytokines ets. Lactoferrin has been reported for its multifunctional properties such as antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral antioxidant and anticancer activities. The aims of this study focused on the isolation and purification of lactoferrin from Mongolian bovine colostrums. Lactoferrin purified using HiTrap DEAE an ion exchange chromatography. Lactoferrin purification efficiency was about 60.5%. The single band of purified lactoferrin has been observed in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. METHODS Bovine colostrum was collected at a cow farm in the Darkhan province of Mongolia. At first the cream was separated by centrifugation (10000 xg 20 min at 4oC). In order to separate the whey, the samples were precipitated with 1mol/l to pH 4.6 and centrifuged at 10000 g 20 min again. The samples of whey were stored at -18oC to the analysis. Lactoferrin was purified by HiTrap DEAE an ion exchange chromatography using 0.005 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.7) and linear gradient NaCl from 0.25M, 0.5M, 1M. During chromatography, protein in the eluents was monitored by ultraviolet absorbation at 280 nm with the instrument. Purity test done by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturated condition (SDS-PAGE) method by Laemmli (1970). For HPLC determination of the lactoferrin by Shimadzu Nexera X2 HPLC system with UV/ VIS detector were used. Detection was carried out at the wavelength 280 nm. Separation was performed on a chromatographic column Protein R C18 ,2.2 x 150 mm, 5 μm particle size. Linear gradient and flow rate 0.2 ml/min were used. Mobile phase a consisted of water / acetonitrile/ trifluoroacetic acid ( 95:5:0.1). The column temperature was set at 40oC and injection volume was 10 μl. Data were collected and evaluated by software Lab Solution. An external standard method for quantification analytes was used. RESULTS Purified lactoferrin in the present study had a good concentration and purification efficiency was about 60.5 %. Protein fraction from 1M NaCl gradient delivers sharp and clean peak to HPLC chromatogram that fits intensity and retention time of standard bovine lactoferrin. Ammount of lactoferrin in bovine colostrums was 0.6 mg/ml and it`s molecular weight 80 kDa as a standard sample. The retention time of lactoferrin fraction which is purified by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis. The peak of fraction same compared to the standard lactoferrin 5.8 minutes by HPLC analysis. CONCLUSION Ion exchange chromatography shows reliable and easy isolation of lactoferrin from Mongol bovine colostrum.