Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a condition characterized by a decrease in the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood or a complete lack of thyroid function due to a decrease in the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood or a complete lack of thyroid hormones. CH occurs in 1 per 3000-4000 live births worldwide. The clinical symptoms of CH are initially subtle, usually appearing within a month of birth, and if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, it can lead to physical and mental developmental delays and eventual disability. The cause of the disease is not fully known, but it is believed to be influenced by maternal iodine deficiency and mutations in genes responsible for neonatal thyroid development (TSHR, PAX8, NKX2-1, and FOXE1 transcription factors). More than 40 types of TSHR gene mutations are causing CH. Studies conducted in Japan, China, and Taiwan have shown that the p.R450H mutation in the TSHR gene is a risk factor for CH. In Mongolia, a newborn screening analysis of congenital hypothyroidism revealed a rate of 1 case per 2091 live births in 2021, which is higher than the global average. However, there is a lack of molecular genetic research on this condition in the country. Aim: To identify of p.R450H mutation in the TSHR gene among neonates diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism through neonatal screening Materials and Methods: The study used dried blood spots from 17 children diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism at Mongolian-Japanese University hospital and Central Hospital of MNUMS from 2012 to 2024. To identify an optimal method for DNA extraction from dried blood samples, we evaluated five different protocols. DNA was extracted using the method that yielded the highest quantity and purity, and the TSHR gene was subsequently amplified by PCR. Detecting the p.R450H mutation of the TSHR gene, the PCR product was cut with Faul restriction enzyme and the results were evaluated by gel electrophoresis. Results: In our study, DNA isolation from dried blood using methods 1 and 2 had high yield and purity, so we isolated DNA from samples of 17 children diagnosed with congenital primary hypothyroidism and amplified the TSHR gene by PCR. When the PCR products were run through gel electrophoresis, 14 samples were amplified by PCR. After that, the genotype of the p.R450H mutation of the TSHR gene was determined by fragment length polymorphism analysis, and 11 (78.6%) samples were found to have the G/G genotype, 2 (14.3%) samples were found to have the G/A genotype, and 1 (7.1%) sample was found to have the A/A genotype, respectively. Conclusion Among children with congenital hypothyroidism diagnosed through newborn screening test between 2012 and 2024, the p.R450H homozygous and heterozygous mutation in the TSHR gene was 21.4%.

Background: A child’s physical growth is fundamentally dependent on hormonal regulation, metabolism, and oxygen supply, within which bone mineralization specifically calcium (Ca²⁺) levels acts as a primary factor determining bone mineral density (BMD), muscle function, and hormonal activity. In cardiovascular disease (CVD), multiple physiological processes are disrupted at various levels, including decreased blood circulation and oxygen supply, increased energy expenditure, and reduced absorption of nutrients and micronutrients. In this context, research linking calcium levels in 6–7-year-old children with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes to physical growth has been scarce, which provided the rationale for conducting this study. Aim: To investigate the association between calcium levels and physical growth among 6–7-year-old children with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities detected through early screening. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a case-control design. The case group included 143 children aged 6–7 with ECG changes, and the control group included 153 children without ECG changes, totaling 296 voluntary participants. Serum total calcium and albumin levels in both groups were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSSv27, applying independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis to compare means between the two groups. Results: The control group’s serum total calcium was 2.65±0.15 mmol/L, corrected calcium was 2.58±0.13 mmol/L, and the case group’s serum total calcium was 2.64±0.18 mmol/L, corrected calcium was 2.59±0.17 mmol/L, with no statistically significant difference observed between the study groups (p>0.05). When comparing total calcium in case-group children with normal height (2.66±0.20) versus those with stunted growth (2.61±0.13), a statistically significant difference was found (p<0.05). Correlation analysis between total and corrected calcium levels and physical growth indicators across study groups showed no statistically significant association. When height measurements were divided into four quartiles (Q1–Q4) and compared against total and corrected serum calcium, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups. Conclusions Comparison of physical growth and development Z-scores between children with and without ECG abnormalities revealed no statistically significant differences. However, total calcium levels tended to be lower among children with normal growth compared with those with growth retardation in the case group (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in serum total or albumin-corrected calcium levels between the study groups (p > 0.05). When height measurements in the study groups were categorized into quartiles, no statistically significant differences in total or albumin-corrected calcium levels were observed between the groups. This suggests that calcium levels alone may not be a decisive determinant of physical growth in children of the same age.

Background: Saliva as a non-invasive biological sample can be a game-changer in early disease detection and health risk assessment. Objective: To examine the association between participants' dietary patterns and the activity of salivary amylase, along with serum amylase levels in humans. Materials and methods: This study was conducted at the research laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry, School of Biomedicine, MNUMS. A total of 30 students aged 19–22 years participated in the study. Saliva samples were collected three times at one-week intervals, and one blood sample was collected from each participant, alongside a dietary questionnaire. The activity of the amylase enzyme in both saliva and serum samples was determined using the iodine-starch method. Results: When evaluating the amylase enzyme activity based on participants' carbohydrate intake, the result was p > 0.05, indicating no statistically significant difference. Similarly, statistical analysis of the use of mouthwash and vitamin supplements also showed p > 0.05, which means these variables had no statistically significant effect on amylase activity. The correlation between salivary and serum amylase activity was found to be r = 0.365, indicating a weak positive correlation, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion The intake of carbohydrates, vitamins, and mouthwash does not significantly affect the activity level of the salivary amylase enzyme, according to research findings. However, external factors such as stress and air pollution have been shown to exert a measurable influence on its activity. A comparative analysis of enzyme levels in saliva and blood using amylase as a representative marker revealed similar activity levels in both fluids. This suggests that saliva may serve as a viable non invasive sample for detecting various biomarkers and diagnosing diseases. The results underscore the potential of salivary components, particularly amylase, as valuable indicators in diagnostic applications.

Background: Regularly participate international High-level in sports athletes national and competitions and engage in intense training, developing endurance and resilience. Measuring blood lactate levels is crucial for improving an athlete’s performance, assessing sports performance, and enhancing the effectiveness of future training. Aim: To study the relationship between lactate levels in the blood plasma and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activity in Mongolian National Team athletes. Materials and Methods: The study involved 51 athletes from the Mongolian National Team. Anaerobic capacity was assessed using a Monark 894E Ergomedic Peak Bike, designed to apply exercise load. Blood serum lactate level and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activity were determined using a Biobase BK-280 fully automated biochemical analyzer. Heart rate, peripheral blood oxygen levels, and oxygen saturation were measured using a pulse oximeter. Results: The average age of the participants was 24.04 ± 4.15 years, with an average height of 168 ± 8.78 cm and an average weight of 71.01 ± 7.69 kg. The average BMI was 24.82 ± 4.12 kg/m². Pre exercise lactate levels averaged 3.84 ± 0.75 mmol/L, while post-exercise lactate levels averaged 9.67±3.52 mmol/L. The average heart rate before exercise was 66.04±8.9 bpm, while post-exercise heart rate was 123.6±16.06 bpm. The average VO₂ max was 95.18±2.48. Conclusion The lactate levels before and after exercise among the athletes participating in the study showed significant differences in the age groups 20-29 (p<0.0001). When comparing lactate levels before and after exercise by sport, statistically significant increases were observed in freestyle wrestling and judo athletes (p<0.0001)

Background: Obesity, especially central obesity, is a risk factor for non-communicable chronic diseases such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Aim: Study the association between the subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and visceral fat area (VFA) with lipid metabolism parameters in adults with MetS. Materials and Methods: Data from 1511 participants who visited the ‘NURA Mongolia’ Ai Health screening center between September 2023 and February 2024, including general information, DEXA (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry), and biochemical analysis results, were used. Metabolic syndrome (MeS) was assessed based on the harmonizing criteria 2009 (≥3 criteria). VFA and SFA were categorized into four groups using quartiles (Q1-Q4). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26, including T-tests, multiple logistic regression (OR, 95% CI), and ROC (AUC) analysis. Results: The average age of the participants was 30.5±3.9 years, with a BMI of 25.1 kg/m², and 49.5% were male. The group with MetS (n=531) had significantly higher levels of VFA and SFA compared to the group that rated their health as relatively healthy and had no clinical diagnosis (n=979) (control group) (p<0.0001), with males showing higher VFA and females showing higher SFA (p<0.0001). The Q4 group for VFA had a significant association with MetS in males (4.611, 95% CI=2.394–9.591) and females (2.253, 95% CI=1.097-3.912) (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that increased VFA was more strongly associated with MetS in males (β=0.325, p<0.0001) and females (β=0.338, p<0.003) than BMI. The AUC for predicting MetS was 0.790 (95% CI=0.750-0.831) for VFA and 0.401 (95% CI=0.351-0.451) for SFA, with all results being statistically significant (p<0.001). VFA had a higher predictive value compared to other markers. Conclusion In healthy men with metabolic syndrome, VFA is more prominently defined, while SFA is higher in healthy women. Since VFA is a better predictor of metabolic syndrome than SFA, it increases the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes in men, whereas SFA in women serves as a protective factor.

Background: This study explores the potential of food industry by-products, such as plant peels, stems, and slags, as valuable sources of lignocellulosic material (LCM), which contains 25-40% xylan. These underutilized resources, often discarded as waste, hold the promise of sustainable applications in biotechnology. By safely extracting xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from LCM biomass, the value of these materials can be significantly enhanced, contributing to green production and supporting sustainable development. XOS, recognized for its prebiotic activity, has been shown to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, making it a vital research area in the fields of food science, medicine, and technology. Aim: To extract and characterize oligosaccharides derived from by-products of the food industry, evaluate their physicochemical properties, and investigate selected biological activities. Materials and Methods: This study utilized microwave pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis to isolate and purify XOS from wheat bran and brewers’ spent grains (BSG), provided by Altan Taria LLC and APU CoL, respectively. Microwave irradiation at 200°C for 5 minutes was employed as a pretreatment step, followed by hydrolysis using commercial xylanase (Thermomyces lanuginosus, recombinant Aspergillus oryzae, 2500 BXU/g) at 55°C for 24 hours. The resulting hydrolysate underwent filtration with activated carbon and ethanol precipitation to yield purified XOS. Analytical methods, including FTIR spectroscopy, TLC and HPLC, were used for structural and compositional analysis of the purified oligosaccharides. In vitro tests evaluated the ability of XOS to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, including Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus fermentum (ATCC 9338), and Lactobacillus casei (ATCC 344), using XOS-enriched media. Additionally, in vivo studies were conducted on rats to determine the biological effects of XOS on gut microbiota. Results: The results demonstrated that prolonged enzymatic hydrolysis for more than 10 hours, using 0.25 g of xylanase per 100 g of substrate, resulted in optimal yields. XOS purity was measured at 87.6% with an 8.1 g yield from wheat bran and 89% purity with a 7.2 g yield from brewers’ spent grains. Structural analysis confirmed the presence of xylobiose, xylotriose, and xylotetraose, with xylotetraose being the most abundant component in WBP-XOS (47.5%), and xylobiose dominating BGS’s derived XOS (47.8%). Biological effects revealed that wheat bran-derived XOS significantly supported the growth of Bifidobacterium spp. and L. fermentum (ATCC 9338) in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas no significant effect was observed on L. casei (ATCC 344). In vivo studies confirmed that XOS consumption increased populations of Bifidobacterium spp. and Akkermansia muciniphila spp. in gut microbiota (p<0.05). Furthermore, XOS consumption reduced plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C levels while increasing HDL-C levels, demonstrating metabolic benefits. Conclusion This research establishes that XOS with prebiotic activity can be efficiently extracted and purified from food industry by-products using microwave-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis. This approach highlights the potential of utilizing agricultural and industrial waste for producing functional prebiotics, contributing to sustainable practices and offering valuable applications in health and nutrition.

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.

Homework plays a crucial role in enhancing academic performance, in especially language acquisition. For medical students, English proficiency is essential for accessing global knowledge and succeeding in their field. This study aims to examine the relationship between English homework completion timing and academic performance among medical students. A total of 48 students (70% female, 30% male) from different proficiency levels (beginner to upper-intermediate) participated. Data were gathered through an online survey, including sections on homework timing, average exam scores, and reasons for homework timing. Statistical analysis revealed a moderate negative correlation (-0.267) between homework timing and academic performance, suggesting that students who delay homework completion tend to perform slightly lower. Results showed that most students prefer to complete homework the day before a class (54%), while others favor completing it 2-3 days later (40%), valuing retention over time. Students’ reasons for their timing choices varied, with 42% citing other coursework as a barrier to earlier completion. The findings underscore the importance of time management and self-regulation in optimizing homework habits to improve English proficiency and academic outcomes. This study provides insights for educators to guide medical students in developing effective homework strategies that enhance both language learning and academic performance.

Background: In 2021, 5981 of cancer new cases was registered in Mongolian population. Among those cases, liver cancer was commonly registered with a prevalence of 32.7%. Studies on anticancer agents with no-adverse effects and good-preventive efficacy against cancer have been attracted more attention from the researchers in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Saussurrea amara.L, Chiazospermum erectum Berh, and Carthamus tinctorius.L are well recognized as effective agent against liver diseases. Using these raw materials, researchers have been invented a traditional prescription and named as Hepaclin-4. In this study, we aimed to investigate the qualitative study of raw materials and some biologically active sub- stances in the compounds. Purpose: To study the qualitative study of raw materials for Hepaclin-4 prescription Materials and methods: Some qualitative properties of raw materials for Hepaclin-4 prescription, including appearance, minerals, some organic compounds, total ash, water-soluble substances and fungi, were investigated according to Mongolian pharmacopeia and total flavonoid was detected by thin layer chromatography. Results: No changes were observed on the appearance of raw materials, and minerals and organic compounds weren’t detected in the prescription. No contamination with fungi and insects were identified. The moist in the raw materials were 5.9 to 8.1%, total ash was 4.7 to 13.3% and the water-soluble substances were detected 33.8 to 42.9%. Number of aerobic bacteria, fungi and E.coli, Salmonella species were detected in normal range, indicating that the prescription was matched with the requirement of pharmacopeia. According to the thin layer chromatography study of the raw materials, a yellow spot on the chromatogram were identified and same as quercetin (Rf=0.9-0.98) and rutin ((Rf=0.18-0.23)) as standard compounds, which indicated that the spot which indicated that the spot was flavonoids in the prescription. Conclusions These results showed that the appearance, moist, minerals, organic compound, water-soluble substances, ash and biologically active substances of the raw materials for Hepaclin-4 prescription was corresponded with the requirements of pharmacopeia, and flavonoid was detected in raw materials of Hepaclin-4.

S100 proteins regulate intracellular processes such as cell growth and motility, cell cycle regulation, transcription and differentiation. S100 proteins represent the largest subgroup in the EF-hand Ca²⁺ binding protein family. The S100 protein family consists of 24 members functionally distributed into three main subgroups: those that only exert intracellular regulatory effects, those with intracellular and extracellular functions and those which mainly exert extracellular regulatory effects.
Within cells, S100 proteins are involved in aspects of regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, Ca²⁺ homeostasis, energy metabolism, inflammation and migration/invasion through interactions with a variety of target proteins including enzymes, cytoskeletal subunits, receptors, transcription factors and nucleic acids. S100 proteins have received increasing attention due to their close association with several human diseases including cardiomyopathy, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. They have also been proven to be valuable in the diagnostic of these diseases, as predictive markers of improving clinical management, outcome and survival of patients and are considered having a potential as drug targets to improve therapies.