Background: Numerous studies have shown that air pollution is a serious public health threat and risk worldwide. Mongolia is the world leader in outdoor and indoor air pollution, and the morbidity and mortality caused by it are increasing every year. People spend most of their lives indoors, and it is necessary to regularly assess and study indoor air pollution. Aim: To study the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the indoor air of households in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan cities in relation to some symptoms of respiratory diseases. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using an analytical cohort design from October 2023 to July 2025, and the 4 districts of the central Ulaanbaatar city and Darkhan cities were included in the study. A total of 240 households were included in the study, including 48 households living in ger and house, 24 households living in apartments, and 48 households living in ger and house, and 24 households living in apartments from Ulaanbaatar city. A direct measurement device (PurpleAir) was installed in the households for 3-4 weeks to measure PM2.5 particles in the indoor air for 24 hours. After measuring PM2.5 particles in the indoor air of the household, data were collected through questionnaires from the participants aged 18-60 who participated in the study and underwent health examinations. The results were processed using STATA-19.0 and R programs. Result: 213-239 households were selected for the study, including households living in 17-26 apartments, 42-58 houses, and 38-50 houses. The 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 particles in the ambient air of households in Ulaanbaatar city was measured relatively higher in winter and summer than in households in Darkhan city. Among the districts of Ulaanbaatar city, the highest concentration of PM2.5 particles was measured in Songinokhairkhan district, and the lowest concentration was measured in Bayanzurkh district. Considering the cities by heating type, households with stoves are more polluted than households with centralized heating. In Darkhan city, the lowest concentration was measured in apartments (22.78-31.53 μg/m³), houses (44.53-68.17 μg/m³), and the highest concentration was measured in traditional felt houses (houses) (63.20-68.25 μg/m³). In Ulaanbaatar, PM2.5 concentrations were relatively high in all types of housing, including apartments (41.61-58.37 μg/m³), houses (79.22-92.50 μg/m³), and traditional felt dwellings (76.69-86.31 μg/m³). In the summer, PM2.5 concentrations in Darkhan were 3.10-10.03 μg/m³ in apartments, 7.67-14.37 μg/m³ in houses, and 7.98-17.90 μg/m³ in traditional felt dwellings (houses). The concentration of PM2.5 particles in the ambient air of the settlement is statistically significantly associated with shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, nausea, palpitations, sneezing, runny nose, conjunctivitis, pain in the eye socket, tearing of the eyes, headache, fever, nasal congestion, cough, loss of appetite, sore throat, phlegm, wheezing, and chest pain. Conclusion The 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 particles in indoor air in households in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan cities is higher than the Mongolian standard during winter and is statistically significantly associated with some symptoms of respiratory diseases.

Background: Dysregulation of inflammation underpins chronic cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and neoplastic conditions. Traditional medicine has long utilized medicinal plants to alleviate and treat systemic inflammation. Specifically, Rhodiola rosea L. and Rhodiola quadrifida (Pall.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey. possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic properties. Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk. has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects, support musculoskeletal function, and enhance tissue regeneration. Furthermore, Salsola laricifolia Litv. has been studied for its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities. Although the individual anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities of these plants are established, research evaluating the combined effect of their combined extract remains scarce, providing the rationale for this study. Aim: To evaluate the in vitro effects of a combined extract derived from these medicinal plants on the expression of selected pro-inflammatory cytokines. Materials and Methods: A dry combined extract consisting of Rhodiola rosea, Rhodiola quadrifida, Salsola laricifolia, and Saposhnikovia divaricata was prepared at the Chemistry and Technology Sector of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Monos Group. An in vitro inflammation model was established using murine RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/mL). Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, while the output of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 was measured via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA. Result: The combined plant extract demonstrated no cytotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells across the tested concentration range. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, the composite extract dose-dependently and significantly suppressed the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (p<0.001) and IL-6 (p<0.0001). Conclusion 1. The combined extract of Saposhnikovia divaricata, Rhodiola rosea, Rhodiola quadrifida, and Salsola laricifolia exhibited no cytotoxicity in vitro within the range of 50–400 µg/mL. 2. The combined herbal extract significantly suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (p<0.01) and IL-6 (p<0.001) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner.

Background: Ambient and household air pollution remain leading risk factors for global morbidity and mortality. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer, metabolic and neurological disorders, and immune dysfunction. In urban areas of Mongolia, air pollution reaches critical levels during the winter season. Although improved solid fuels have been introduced in recent years, their impact on both outdoor and indoor air quality remains insufficiently characterized. Aim: To compare outdoor and household air pollution levels in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan cities. Materials and Methods: Outdoor air pollution data for Ulaanbaatar were obtained from fixed monitoring stations of the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring for the period 2014–2026, with seasonal comparisons performed. For indoor air quality assessment, a longitudinal study was conducted among 240 households (apartments, houses, and traditional gers) in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan from 2023 to 2026. PM₂.₅ concentrations were measured using real-time sensors (PurpleAir sensor), deployed for 14–21 days per season (winter and summer) in each household, recording data at 10-minute intervals over 24-hour periods. Result: Between 2014 and 2026, the 24-hour mean concentrations in Ulaanbaatar were 60.5 µg/m for PM₂.₅, 117.3 µg/m for PM₁₀, 37.3 µg/m for NO₂, 41.8 µg/m for SO₂, and 27.5 µg/m for O₃. While particulate matter levels showed a decreasing trend following the introduction of improved fuels, SO₂ concentrations increased, and overall pollution levels remained higher than those observed in Darkhan. Indoor PM₂.₅ concentrations were higher in Ulaanbaatar compared to Darkhan (60.7±86.1 vs 48.4±96.7 µg/m). Significant differences were observed by housing type (p<0.0001), with higher concentrations in households using solid fuels (houses and gers) and lower levels in apartments. These findings indicate substantial variability in indoor air pollution by city, housing type, and season, with persistently elevated exposure levels. Conclusion Outdoor air pollutant concentrations in Ulaanbaatar, including particulate matter, NO₂, and SO₂, exceed national standards and WHO guideline values by 1–4 times. Indoor PM₂.₅ pollution is higher in Ulaanbaatar than in Darkhan and varies significantly by housing type and season, indicating a high and heterogeneous exposure burden among urban populations.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major global health concern. Approximately 55–85% of individuals with acute HCV infection progress to chronic disease, which is often asymptomatic. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications. This provided the rationale for our study to evaluate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes of chronic HCV patients using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), with comparisons by viral genotype. Aim: To compare the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes of chronic hepatitis C according to viral genotypes. Materials and Methods: A total of 1203 chronic HCV patients attending the outpatient department of Arkhangai Provincial General Hospital were included in this prospective and retrospective cohort study. HCV genotyping was performed, and patients received DAA therapy. Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, HCV RNA levels, and fibrosis scores (APRI and FIB-4) were assessed at baseline, at week 4 of treatment, and at 12 weeks post-treatment. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0. Results: : Among all patients, 6.7% had liver cirrhosis, and 1.4% had previously received interferon-based therapy. Patients with cirrhosis more frequently reported fatigue, abdominal discomfort, insomnia, right upper quadrant pain and loss of appetite (p<0.001). Virologic response at week 4 was 98.9%, and sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment was 99.3%. The mean APRI score decreased from 0.71±0.67 to 0.31±0.54, and FIB-4 from 1.61±0.41 to 1.16±0.26 (p<0.001). The most common adverse events were fatigue, headache, and nausea. Conclusion Treatment outcomes were 99.5% in patients with genotype 1b, 100% in genotype 1a, and 75% in genotype 2, with statistically significant differences (p<0.001). Both APRI and FIB-4 scores significantly decreased after treatment, confirming the effectiveness of DAA therapy in improving liver fibrosis (p<0.001).

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99 percent of the world’s population is exposed to air that exceeds WHO recommendations, with low- and middle-income countries being the most affected. The main causes of indoor air pollution include human activities such as fuel burning, cooking, cleaning, and smoking; housing characteristics such as walls, floors, ceilings, and furniture; ventilation; and outdoor air pollution. Aim : To assess PM1 and PM10 concentrations in 120 selected households in Ulaanbaatar. Materials and Methods : Indoor PM1 and PM10 concentrations were measured using Purple Air real-time sensors in randomly selected Ulaanbaatar households between October 2023 and January 2024. Supplementary data on factors affecting the PM2.5 concentration were collected via questionnaires. Each measurement was taken in 10-minute intervals, yielding 51,309 data for analysis. Results : PM1 concentrations were measured at 55.5±53.2 μg/m³ in gers, 54.9 ± 46.7 μg/m³ in houses, and 31.6±40.1 μg//m³ in apartments (p<0.001) and measuring PM10 concentrations were 110.6±108.6 μg/m³ in gers, 110.6±96.7 μg/m³ in houses, and 62.2±83.0 μg/m³ in apartments (p<0.001) When considering the concentration of PM1, PM10 by heating type, PM1 was 55.3±50.1 μg/m³ and PM10 was 110.6±103.0 μg/m³ in households with stoves and furnaces, and PM1 was 31.6±40.1 μg/m³ and PM10 was 62.2±83.0 μg/m³ in households connected to the central heating system (p<0.001). Regarding the months of measurement, the highest concentration was observed in December 2023, at 77.1±94.1 μg/m³. The highest concentrations for both PM₁ and PM₁₀ were recorded in January 2024, at PM₁: 64.8±55.1 μg/m³, PM₁₀: 131.4±116.0 μg/m³. Conclusion 1. Indoor PM10 concentrations in residential environments in Ulaanbaatar city were within the MNS4585:2016 Air Quality Standard, however, it was exceeded the WHO air quality guidelines, indicating an excessive risk of increasing morbidity and mortality among the population. 2. Indoor PM1 and PM10 concentrations in residential environments in Ulaanbaatar varies depending on location, type of housing, type of heating, and month of measurement.

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.

Background: Medicinal herbs have been used in traditional medicine to treat systemic inflammatory disease for many years. For instance, Rhodiola rosea L extracts were used to enhance behavioural stresses for improving fatigue and depression. Gallic acid, found in Rhodiola rosea L and Rhodiola quidrifida is, a natural polyphenol, exhibits multiple therapeutic activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic effects. Saposhnikovia divaricate (its ethanol extract mainly) notified to support function of musculoskeletal tissue and to enhance tissue regeneration by its anti-inflammatory effect. The Salsola laricifolia L has been studied for its strong antioxidant activity, improve immune function, boost energy, and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. This study allowed us to screen anti-inflammatory effects of medicinal plants and future therapeutic possibility. Aim: To study the content of phenolic compounds (gallic acid) in the composition of complex products of plants widely used in Mongolian traditional medicine, which have been found to have biological activity of the extracts Materials and Methods: The herbal extract was extracted from Rhodiola rosea L, Saposhnikovia divaricata (Tuscz) Schischk, Rhodiola quidrifida Pall.Fisch, Salsola laricifolia Turcz.ex Litv in laboratory of the Drug Research Institute of Monos Group, Mongolia. We used solvents for HPLC grade was used to identify the bioactive components that Gallic acid in the compound plant extract. : Results: The bioactive compounds in each of the Rhodiola rosea L, Rhodiola quadrifida Pall.Fisch and four medicinal plant extracts were identified using HPLC, confirming the presence of Gallic acid. Conclusion Our research results showed that the quantitative content of Gallic acid in the composite plant extract was high, at 1.02%.

Background: The skin barrier serves as the primary defense against environmental factors. Mongolia’s extreme climate conditions may contribute to skin barrier impairment, increased trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and decreased skin moisture. Objective: To determine and compare skin moisture, TEWL, and skin pH levels in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2023 with 104 relatively healthy children selected through random sampling. Skin physiological parameters, including skin moisture, skin pH and TEWL were measured following the EEMCO (European Group on Efficacy Measurement of Cosmetics and Other Topical Products) guidelines using the Multi Skin Test MC750 device (Courage+Khazaka Electronics, Germany) at nine different sites. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and Stata-14 software. Results: Among the participants, 51.9% (n=54) reported having dry skin (p<0.0001). Additionally, 64.5% (n=67) used moisturizers, but their usage did not show a statistically significant difference in skin moisture (p=0.929), skin pH (p=0.378), or TEWL (p=0.332). 14.42% (n=15) had extremely dry skin, while 85.58% (n=89) had dry skin, with no participants falling within the normal skin moisture range. TEWL showed a moderate inverse correlation with age (r=-0.331, p=0.0006). When analyzed by age groups, skin moisture (p=0.023) and TEWL (p=0.038) differed significantly between groups. Conclusion Skin moisture and TEWL significantly differ across age groups. Given that all participants had dry skin, moisturization is crucial. Mongolia’s extreme climate is likely a key contributing factor to childhood skin dryness.

Background: The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to select salidroside in tablet formulation dietary supplements, raw material containing other components. Further, the proposed method was validated for linearity, precision (system precision, method precision, intermediate or inter-day precision), and accuracy, stability in analytical solution, syst em suitability, and ruggedness. The developed method exhibited the best results in terms of the validation above parameters. The other components and additives did not interfere with their determinations. The method was found to be selective, simple, economical, accurate, reproducible, rapid, and reliable for routine estimation purposes of salidroside in golden root dry extract. The goal of this study was to develop the validation method of salidroside in the dietary supplement. Material and Methods: The Rhodiola rosae L. dry extract was supplied Arshin Co.ltd in People’s Republic of China. The standard salidroside was supplied from Sigma Aldrich Co Ltd. We used solvents for HPLC grade (methanol, acetonitrile). Chromatographic conditions: A gradient HPLC (Shimadzu CBM20AD) with serial dual plunger pump; analytical column: Shimadzu GIST С18 150 x 4.6 mm, particle size 5 μm; flow rate: 1 ml/min; column temperature: 400C, detection: UV 275 nm. Chromatographic procedure: 20 μl of the mixed standard preparation and assay (sample) preparation were separately injected into the chromatography, the chromatograms were recorded, and the responses for the major peaks were measured. The run time was approximately 15 minutes. Results The calibration curves for the salidroside were made by plotting the peak area versus the concentration for each analyte using regression analysis. Each calibration curve was obtained using six levels of concentrations in the range of 100-800 µg/mL. The linear correlation coefficient (r2=1) for all calibration curves was higher than 1 for all analytes. The LOD and LOQ for salidroside were golden root dry extract in 8.788 µg/mL and 26.61 µg/mL, respectively. Accuracy and precision were assessed by analyzing five samples independently prepared at low, middle, and high concentrations. The RSD values of repeatability and intermediate precision were below 1.12%, 1.19 and 1.79%. The accuracy remains between 91 to 109%. The resulting accuracy data were satisfactory for the quantitative analysis of salidroside in golden root dry extract. This article presents a simple, accurate, reproducible, and thoroughly validated HPLC-based method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of salidroside, as part of the quality assessment of golden root dry extract.

Myocardial infarction (Ml) is necrosis and death of heart muscle secondary to ischemia and acute coronary artery thrombosis. Ml, commonly known as a heart attack, happens when the oxygen rich blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked for a prolonged period, causing damage or death to the heart tissue. This blockage is most often caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, which form a plaque in the coronary arteries. Furthermore, patients with cancer constitute a high-risk population for cardiovascular disease and as of the last 5 years, 50% of patients with cardiovascular disease have been diagnosed with cancer, according to World Health Organization. The provision of complete insight into Ml complications along with designing ajpreventive program against Ml seems necessary. The use of medications has been practiced over the years for the prevention of HF. However, some of these medications produce adverse effects and due to high cost are not easily available to every patient. Over the past decades, there has been a significant rise in the use of herbal supplements based on traditional medicine to prevent, avoid, and/or treat different conditions, including cardiovascular disease; this rise results from a natural source, efficiency with few or no adverse effects and low cost. In vivo models of heart failure (HF) and myocardial infarction (Ml) are essential for understanding the pathophysiology of these conditions and for developing new treatments.
These models typically involve inducing heart failure or myocardial infarction in animals, such as rodents to study disease mechanisms and evaluate potential therapies.
In this review, we discuss the most common preclinical models of Ml currently employed in cardiovascular research. Among them, Ml induced heart failure is a method of ligation of the left anterior descending artery of coronary an experimental animal. Its physiological relevance, cost-effective, uncomplicated, and suitable method for evaluating research results. The rat model of myocardial infarction offers numerous advantages that make it a valuable tool for cardiovascular research.