Background: The cornerstone of medical education in training qualified physicians lies in foundational scientific knowledge, which forms the basis for clinical reasoning and diagnostic-therapeutic decision-making. Anatomy constitutes one of the core foundational subjects within the medical doctor training curriculum and exerts a direct influence on the development of students’ baseline knowledge and the formation of their clinical thinking. This study was conducted to evaluate the anatomy curriculum through assessments by first-year students enrolled in the basic medical education program, with the aim of enhancing instructional quality and improving the structure and organization of the course. Aim: To investigate the satisfaction ratings of first-year students in the basic medical education program regarding the Anatomy-1 course. Material and Methods: The study was carried out using an analytical cross-sectional design during the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year. Data were collected from a total of 289 first-year students of the basic medical education program at the School of Bio-Medicine of MNUMS (Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences) using a questionnaire comprising 24 items in total—3 demographic questions, 20 general satisfaction questions, and 1 open-ended question—with each item rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were processed using SPSS 23.0 software, employing descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and factor analysis. Results: Of the study participants, 14.2% were male and 85.8% were female, with the cohort distributed across programs as follows: TAM 10.38%, TMS 17.30%, MDS 44.29%, PDS 13.15%, and DSS 14.88%. The overall satisfaction level was 4.59±0.66, falling within the “good” range. The highest rating was attributed to “Faculty members possess strong professional knowledge and skills” (DSS, 4.91±0.37), whereas the lowest rating was assigned to “Students’ knowledge and skills are evaluated objectively and fairly” (PDS, 4.16±0.75). The internal consistency coefficient of the questionnaire yielded α=0.909, indicating excellent reliability. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among instructors’ respect for students’ viewpoints (Q4), instructors’ communication and demeanor (Q5), and professional ethics (Q6) (r=0.787; r=0.755; p<0.01). Factor analysis produced a KMO value of 0.865 and a Bartlett’s test result of p=0.000; accordingly, all 20 items were grouped into two factors—”Faculty Professional Competence” and “Learning Environment and Organization”—which collectively accounted for 58.74% of the total variance. Conclusions 1. The findings indicate that the overall satisfaction of first-year basic medical education students who participated in the study was at a favorable level. 2. Faculty professional competence and the learning environment and organization were identified as factors influencing student satisfaction, explaining 58.74% of the total variance in the results. It was further established that adherence to professional ethics, respect for students’ perspectives, and equitable treatment are contingent upon the instructor’s knowledge and professional expertise.

Background: The Anatomy course, which provides general foundational knowledge on the structure of all organ systems of the human body, is a core professional course in the bachelor’s curricula of Pharmacy, Biomedical Science, Hygiene and Epidemiology, Public Health, Occupational Safety and Health, and Nutrition and Dietetics. Student satisfaction is not only an important indicator of the quality of medical education, but also influences graduates’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes; therefore, continuous research in this area is necessary. Aim: To determine the level of satisfaction with the Anatomy curriculum among first-year students in basic health science programs and to identify factors influencing their satisfaction, with the aim of improving the quality of teaching. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2025 to February 2026 among 182 first-year students enrolled in the following programs at Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS): Biomedical Research, Pharmacy, Health Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Informatics, and Traditional Medicine Therapy. Student satisfaction with the quality of the Anatomy course was assessed using a 24-item questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, applying descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation, factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The internal consistency of the satisfaction scale was very high (Cronbach’s α=0.928). The mean overall satisfaction score of the participants was 4.61±0.67. There was no significant difference in overall satisfaction by gender (p > 0.05). Factor analysis identified two main factors influencing the evaluation of teaching quality (KMO=0.894; Bartlett’s test p<0.001), which together explained 52.73% of the total variance. The first factor was “Teachers’ professional competence, communication, attitude, and assessment,” and the second factor was “Course organization, learning environment, and instructional materials.” Correlation analysis showed that better course organization and higher teacher engagement were positively associated with students’ satisfaction (p<0.01). Conclusions 1. Among first-year basic health science students, satisfaction with the Anatomy course was influenced by teachers’ professional competence, ethics, interpersonal communication, and fair, objective assessment. 2. Adherence to professional ethics and maintaining respectful communication with students were found to be closely related to teachers’ knowledge and professional skills.

Background: The study of the anatomical structure of the ankle joint ligaments is essential for understanding the stability, axis, and movement of the joint, as well as their interrelationship with the function. It also provides fundamental quantitative data for the training and research of physiotherapists, as well as the practice of injury and trauma medicine. Proper diagnosis and treatment of ankle joint injuries, as well as understanding the mechanism of injury, are based on this knowledge. Ankle joint injuries are common, with ligament and tendon injuries accounting for 85% of ankle injuries. In Mongolia, 81.1% of ankle injuries are new, 9.4% are similar to the initial injury, 8.1% are recurrent injuries, and 0.7% have unknown causes. Depending on the mechanism of injury, certain ligaments and connective tissues can be damaged. Ankle ligament injuries are the most common cause of acute ankle pain, and chronic ankle pain is often due to structural changes in the ankle ligaments. Aim: To summarize the research on the normal anatomy of the ankle and subtalar joint, as well as the studies on joint injuries, using the dissection method. Materials and Methods: Literature search was conducted in Thomson Reuters, Pubmed central database, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases, as well as the statistical data from the Health Development Center and the National Center for Trauma and Orthopedics. Keywords used include: ankle joint, subtalar joint, ankle joint and subtalar joint injuries. A total of 330 publications were identified, and 34 key articles on the normal anatomy of the ankle and subtalar joint, as well as joint injuries, were included in the review. Results: The ankle joint is formed between the distal end of the tibia and the superior articular surface of the talus. It allows plantar flexion and dorsiflexion movements, with a normal range of 30 degrees for plantar flexion and 50 degrees for dorsiflexion. The subtalar joint is formed between the posterior articular surfaces of the talus and calcaneus. It allows inversion and eversion movements, with a normal range of 35 degrees for inversion and 20 degrees for eversion. The ankle ligaments are divided into three groups: lateral, medial, and inferior tibiofibular (syndesmotic) ligaments. The most common cause of ankle joint injuries is excessive inversion of the subtalar joint, leading to injuries to the joint capsule, lateral and medial collateral ligaments, and the syndesmotic ligaments. Excessive plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle joint can also cause injuries to the posterior talofibular ligament, the osteochondral region of the talar neck, and the anterior-inferior margin of the tibia. Conclusion Comprehensive study of the ankle joint structure provides the basis for explaining the mechanism of injury. Further research in Mongolia is needed, combining dissection and imaging techniques, to develop standardized evaluation protocols that correlate with clinical outcomes.

Background: In recent years, the incidence of liver diseases due to complications of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has shown a significant upward trend in Southeast Asian countries. NAFLD is a hepatic disorder characterized by lipid accumulation in the microstructure of the liver in individuals who consume little to no alcohol. It is often associated with insulin resistance and is diagnosed when steatosis affects more than 5% of hepatocytes histologically, or when the fat signal intensity on MRI exceeds 5.6%, based on fat-to-water ratio measurements. In Mongolia, histological studies using frozen liver sections with routine and special staining techniques are limited, highlighting the necessity of this study. Aim: To determine and compare the degree of steatosis and fibrosis in frozen liver tissue samples of patients with NAFLD through histological analysis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the the Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedicine and Bio medical Research Institute of MNUMS in collaboration with the Second State Central Hospital. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of MNUMS (Protocol No. 2024/3-06). All procedures adhered strictly to laboratory biosafety protocols. Participants were selected among patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, from whom informed consent was obtained. Based on inclusion criteria, five participants were grouped as follows: healthy control (n=1), NAFLD without fibrosis (n=2), and NAFLD with fibrosis (n=2). Liver biopsies (approx. 1 cm in size) were obtained intraoperatively, immediately deep-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and prepared for histological evaluation. Results: In patients with NAFLD compared to the healthy liver group, disruption of hepatocyte columnar architecture and mild periportal lymphocytic infiltration were observed. Oil Red O staining revealed 34–66% micro- and macrovesicular steatosis, corresponding to grade 2 steatosis. Masson’s trichrome staining showed no fibrotic changes in perivenular or periportal areas (Ishak grade 0/4) at this stage. However, upon progression to grade 3 steatosis, early-stage fibrosis was observed in both perivenular and periportal regions (Ishak grade 1/4). Further progression to stage 4 fibrosis was characterized by the development of connective tissue septa, although no significant changes in droplet size were observed. Conclusions 1. Increasing stages of fibrosis are not directly influenced by the severity of hepatic steatosis in NAFLD. 2. Although the degree of steatosis increases, the absence of corresponding fibrotic changes in early stages indicates a complex progression pattern of NAFLD requiring further investigation.

Background: Alloxan is a chemical compound commonly used in experimental animal models of diabetes. In 1943, Shaw Dunn and Mc- Letchie reported that alloxan causes specific necrosis of pancreatic β-cells in experimental animals, which led to the study of alloxan in relation to diabetes. In this study, we evaluated the structural changes in the pancreatic tissue of diabetic mice induced by alloxan. Aim: To study the structural changes in the pancreatic tissue of diabetic mice induced by alloxan. Materials and Methods: According to the protocol for establishing a diabetic model, alloxan monohydrate was injected intraperitoneally into 6- to 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice to develop a diabetic model and evaluate the structure of pancreatic tissue. Results: Alloxan induced severe degenerative changes in the centers of the pancreatic islets of mice in the diabetic group. The islet shape was irregular, and the central part was relatively sparse; dead (karyolysis) cells were observed. In the exocrine part of the pancreas, the acinar structure was preserved; the nuclei of acinar cells were stained bright blue. The plasma-particle ratio of some acinar cells was lost, the plasma contained vacuoles, and the interstitial spaces were enlarged and appeared pale. On the 7th day of the experiment, the positive expression of β-cells in the pancreatic islets of mice in the diabetic group was reduced compared to the control group, and a necrotic area was observed. On the 28th day, the positive expression of β-cells was visible in the central part of the islet. When the qualitative characteristics of the positively stained cells of the islets of Langerhans were converted into quantitative values, the percentage of the area of insulin-positive stained cells was 13.37% ± 0.89% in the control group and 6.01% ± 0.39% in the diabetic group. The percentage of glucagon-positive stained cells in the control group was 15.27% ± 1.11%, and in the diabetic group was 5.01% ± 0.58%. The islet area of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans in the diabetic group was observed to be increased compared to the control group. This is thought to be due to the swelling of the islet cells and the formation of empty spaces created by necrotic cells. Conclusion The results of the functional assay showed that glucose- dependent insulin secretion was still active after 28 days of the experiment. Alloxan-induced necrosis and apoptosis reduced the percentage of insulin- and glucagon-positive cells in the islets of Langerhans.

Background: Renal impairment (RI) is a frequent complication of liver cirrhosis and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Liver transplantation (LT) serves as an effective treatment method for patients with cirrhosis who have impaired renal function. However, renal function often declines after LT, influenced by various factors. This study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to RI following LT in our cases. Methods: We analyzed the demographic data, preoperative and perioperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent LT at the First Central Hospital of Mongolia from September 2011 to December 2022. Renal function was assessed by measuring the glomerular filtration rate using the Cockcroft-Gault creatinine clearance formula pretransplantation and at 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days post-LT. Results: Several factors increased the risk of RI among recipients. These included female sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58–5.91), Child-TurcottePugh (CTP) scores of B and C (OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 0.92–19.41 and OR, 7.68; 95% CI, 1.67– 35.30, respectively), preoperative continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT; OR, 5.86;95% CI, 1.1–31.21), and a high graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR; OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.23–9.63). Additionally, the survival rates for recipients with RI post-LT were 93.4% at 1 year and 78.1% at 3 years. Conclusions Female sex, a high CTP score, preoperative CRRT, and high GRWR were identified as risk factors for RI after LT in Mongolia.

Background: It is stated in the Government Programme of 2016-2020 that public servants, including health care workers, shall be given a gradually increased salary based on their skill, dexterity, workload, and productivity, and such increase started from 2018 as planned. In the health sector of our country, regarding demand and regulation of the programme, the change shall be made that the system for median salary of physicians and overall staff employed at hospitals gets even constructive, and the required human resource for the sector shall be prepared. Thus, inferring from these claims, median salary, real wage, and socioeconomic condition are in critical need for further evaluation. Objective: To examine the current socio-economic condition of health care workers, and to study the influencing factors at play. Methods: In this study, we used quantitative and qualitative methods. In the survey, we involved 655 health care workers from 6 family health centers, 2 district hospitals, 3 health centers (district-based) in Songinokhairkhan, Sukhbaatar, and Baganuur districts; and Provincial hospital, regional diagnosis and health center, 16 soum health centers from Khovd, Uvs, Arkhangai, Bulgan, Khentii, Dornod, Umnugovi, and Dornogovi provinces, along with 3 National specialized health centers and 1 National central hospital. As for data gathering for the qualitative analysis, 30 focus group interviews and 47 key informant interviews were conducted for the purpose of examining socioeconomic condition, real wage sufficiency of health care workers. Results: Average household income of study participants was 1,880,269 tugrik, the real wage was 1,073,065 tugrik, and the overall household is seen to be composed of 2 different sources on average, namely, self-wage and the income coming from family members or supplement of Child Money Programme. It has come to notice that 19.5% of the participants have lower than average living standard, 89.2% have 2 different loans (mortgage, auto loan or mobile application based loans). Material deprivation index is seen to be 2.73, hence deemed as insufficient. In order to increase the real wage of those workers, it shall be taken into consideration that the basic salary is low, and some financial supplements need to be given. Furthermore, the performance based funding system of health sector is seen to be in need of improvement. Conclusion Real wage of the health care workers is, thus, insufficient. The fact that one in every five workers in this sector have lower than average living standard, and the material deprivation index is 2.73 implying that the financial lives of health care workers are immensely fragile.

Introduction : The HER2 (Human epidermal receptor 2) proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor protein involved in the development and progression of the majority of cancers. Prior studies have shown that HER2 oncogene is overexpressed in approximately 15–30% of ovarian carcinomas. However findings regarding the overexpression and prognosis are still conflicting. Goal: To determine the histomorphological structure of ovarian tumor and perform immunohistochemical analysis of HER2 in tumor tissues Materials and Methods: A total of epithelial ovarian cancer paraffin-embedded tissue blocks 11collected. The hematoxylin and eosin stained histopathology slides of each of the cases were reviewed to confirm the original diagnosis, and to assess the histological grade of the neoplasm. Our study was performed on 11 ovarian epithelial cancer tissues obtained at the time of first surgery. The staining procedure for HER2 overexpression was performed using a monoclonal antibody. Results: The positive expression rate of HER2 in this study was 81.8%. Significant association was not found between HER2 expression International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage p-values of 0.196, grading 0.642 and histological subtypes. However, there were more cases of advanced-stage disease (III/IV) with HER-2 expression than early-stage EOC (I/II). HER2 positive tumor were grades 1, 2 and 3 respectively. A higher proportion of serous ovarian neoplasm and adenocarcinoma NOS was also observed to be HER2 positive. Conclusion HER2 expression was observed to increase with advanced stages of cancer and was more commonly seen in serous rather than in adenocarcinoma NOS.

Introduction : The occurrence of ovarian cancer had a trend of younger in recent years. Due to no obvious clinical symptoms in the early period, most ovarian cancer was found at later period. The main screening methods are transvaginal ultrasonography, serum CA-125 and so on. About 60-70% of ovarian cancer patients are already in phase III-IV or with abdominal metastasis when diagnosed. Therefore, the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is still in the research, and there is no definite markers, which can be used in clinical. Goal: To determine the immunohistology of ovarian tumor and perform immunohistochemical analysis Materials and Methods: A total of epithelial ovarian cancer paraffin-embedded tissue blocks 30collected. The hematoxylin and eosin stained histopathology slides of each of the cases were reviewed to confirm the original diagnosis, and to assess the histological grade of the neoplasm. Our study was performed on 30 ovarian epithelial cancer tissues obtained at the time of first surgery. The staining procedure for HER2 overexpression was performed using a monoclonal antibody. Results: Analysis histological subtypes of ovarian malignant cancer, 90% of ovarian epithelial ovarian cancer, 6.7% of sex cord-stromal and 3.3% of germ cell tumor. (G1) well differentiated, (G2) moderately differentiated, (G3) poorly differentiated were 23.3%, 40.0% and 36.7% respectively. There is statistically significant direct, medium correlation immunohistochemical examination, the HER2 protein over expression (r=0.38, р=0.022), and HER2 protein 3+ was higher in 66.7 percent were in poorly differentiated. Conclusion In our study ovarian cancer based on the morphological architecture of tissue stained by H&E histological subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer (90%). By immunohistochemical 93.3% positive and 6.7% negative ovarian cancer in determine HER2 expression.

Introduction: Base excision repair (BER) is mainly responsible for the correction of small base changes of DNA damage. BER pathway involved many enzymes including OGG1 and XRCC1. The defective DNA repair is associated with an increased risk of various cancers including hematologic malignancies-leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). However, it is deniably these polymorphisms alter the susceptibility and clinical outcome of MDS patients. The aim: This study was to evaluate the impact of polymorphisms in gene encoding one protein of BER system: XRCC1 Arg399Gln in MDS and healthy population. Methods: In this study, we recruited 60 health control group [median 47.9 years, 9 MDS subjects [median 56.6 years] were included in this study. Genotyping was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Allele and genotype frequencies were calculated by direct counting. Result: The frequencies of genotypes of XRCC1 Arg399Gln were as follows: Arg /Arg 1 (11%), Arg/Gln 6 (66%), Gln/Gln 2 (22%) in MDS and Arg /Arg 18.4%, Arg/Gln40%, Gln/Gln41.6% in health control for XRCC1 Arg399Gln. The result revealed that genotypes Arg399Gln increased the risk of MDS In conclusion this study is the first to analyze XRCC1 SNPs and their associated risk of MDS in Mongolian samples. To fully understand the role of DNA damage and DNA repair in the MDS, prospective studies are needed and other genes (OGG1 Ser326Cys, MUTYH Gln324His, APE Asp148Glu) of base excision repair pathway should be analyzed.