1. Establishment and evaluation of a lung metastasis model of colorectal cancer in experimental animals
Anujin D ; Manaljav B ; Barsbold M ; Altanchimeg Ch ; Otgonsuren B ; Khuselt-Od T ; Suvd-Erdene U ; Enkhsaikhan L ; Gansukh Ch ; Juramt B
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;88(4):19-23
Background:
Currently, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause
of cancer-related mortality worldwide. CRC frequently metastasizes to the liver (50%), lungs (10–15%), peritoneum
(4%), bones (10.7%–23.7%), brain (0.3%–6%), and spinal cord. Approximately 35% of CRC cases are diagnosed before
distant metastasis, 36% upon lymph node involvement, and 23% after distant organ metastasis. Although several studies
have established primary tumor models in mice in our country, there are limited studies on experimental lung metastasis
models, prompting the need for this research.
Aim:
To establish and evaluate a lung metastasis model of colorectal cancer in C57BL/6J mice using the MC38 cell line.
Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Board of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (2023/3-09) and all laboratory safety regulations and protocols were strictly followed. Male
C57BL/6J mice bred at the Experimental Animal Center of Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences were
used. MC38 murine colorectal carcinoma cells were cultured and injected intravenously (via the tail vein) at a concentration of 0.25×10⁶ cells per mouse (n=12) to induce lung metastasis. Histological analysis was subsequently performed.
Results:
Histological examination revealed significant alterations in lung tissue architecture, characterized by areas of
dense infiltration by pleomorphic, hyperchromatic cells, disrupting the normal alveolar structure. No histological abnormalities were observed in other organs.
Conclusion
Intravenous injection of MC38 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells into the tail vein of C57BL/6J mice successfully induced lung metastases, characterized by hyperchromatic, pleomorphic cell infiltrates forming glandular structures within the lung parenchyma.
2. Results of a comparative study on Non-alcoholic fatty liver induced and microstructural fibrotic changes
Suvd M ; Badrakh M ; Enkhee O ; Onon B ; Gan-Erdene B ; Nomiungerel R ; Avirmed A ; Khongorzul B
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;88(4):188-192
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.
3.Results of a study on the common carotid artery atherosclerosis in men and the risk factors affecting it
Bolormaa M ; Odgerel B ; Suvd B ; Dechmaa J
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2025;212(2):21-29
Introduction:
Smoking causes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and blockage of small arteries,
which is a direct cause of morbidity and mortality from stroke and heart attack. This study
was conducted to determine the risk of atherosclerosis-related diseases in male smokers.
Goal:
To determine the relationship between carotid artery stenosis in men and certain risk factors
(age, smoking, blood pressure, and blood biochemical parameters).
Material and Method:
The study was conducted in a hospital-based case-control study design. It involved 140 men
aged 40-60, smokers (n=70) in the case group, and non-smokers (n=70) in the control group.
Result:
When considering the average values of blood biochemical test parameters by age group,
HDL levels were 1.50±0.33 mmol/l in the smoking group aged 40-49 and 1.30±0.29 mmol/l
in the 50-60 age group (p<0.016), while in the non-smoking group (1.51±0.33, 1.37±0.34,
p<0.05), which statistically significantly decreased with age. The mean blood triglyceride
level was 1.36±0.54 mmol/L in men who smoked ≤10 cigarettes per day (n=36) and 1.75±0.77
mmol/L in men who smoked ≥10 cigarettes per day (n=34), which was statistically significant
(p<0.006). When considering the parameters of atherosclerosis by age group, the average
IMT in smokers was 0.59±0.09 mm in the 40-49 age group and 0.70±0.19 mm in the 50-60
age group (p<0.001), while in non-smokers it was (0.57±0.08 mm, 0.61±0.13 mm, p<0.004),
indicating that the thickness of the vascular wall increased with age in both groups with
statistical significance.
Conclusion
Carotid artery atherosclerosis is strongly age-related, and long-term smoking
accelerates the process of atherosclerosis. Blood LDL levels decrease with age, especially
in smokers, and they decrease more than in nonsmokers. People who smoke ≥10 cigarettes
per day have higher blood LDL levels.
4.Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and healthy lifestyle among adults
Punsaldulam Ts ; Mungunchimeg D ; Tumur-Ochir Ts ; Narandelger M ; Adiya N ; Batnaran D ; Mungun-Ulzii Kh ; Suvd B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2025;213(3):20-31
Introduction :
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) caused at least 43 million deaths in 2021, equivalent
to 75% of non-pandemic-related deaths globally. Cardiovascular diseases account for most
NCD deaths, or at least 19 million deaths in 2021, followed by cancers (10 million), chronic
respiratory diseases (4 million), and diabetes (over 2 million including kidney disease deaths
caused by diabetes). These four groups of diseases account for 80% of all premature NCD
deaths. According to the Fourth National Survey on the Prevalence of Noncommunicable
Diseases, Injuries, and Their Risk Factors: 14.0% of adults aged 15–69 have experienced
a heart attack or stroke, 11.0% report taking aspirin to prevent or manage cardiovascular
disease (CVD), 2.2% use lipid-lowering medications (statins) for CVD prevention or treatment,
among adults aged 40–69, 19.3% are at high risk of developing CVD within the next 10 years.
These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen cardiovascular disease prevention
efforts and improve the management of key risk factors in Mongolia.
Goal:
To determine the population’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cardiovascular
disease risk factors and healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Materials and Methods:
This descriptive cross-sectional study included 2,532 participants aged 18–69 years from all
21 provinces of Mongolia and Ulaanbaatar city, as part of the “Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery,
and Telemedicine in Mongolia” (MON/007) Project. Data were collected using a structured
questionnaire comprising six sub-sections, designed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to 10 modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Ethical approval was obtained
prior to the study, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results:
Thirty-three percent of study participants reported having no knowledge of cardiovascular
disease, indicating that roughly one in three adults consider themselves to have little or no
understanding of cardiovascular health. In the study, 53.0% of participants reported being
unaware of the symptoms of a heart attack, while 42.0% did not recognize the symptoms of a
stroke. Among participants who could identify these symptoms, 68.0% indicated dizziness as
a sign of hypertension, 65.0% reported headache, and 58.0% noted blurred vision. Among
the respondents, 31.0% knew that the normal arterial blood pressure for an adult is 120/80
mmHg, 57.0% were aware that an adult should sleep 7–8 hours per day, 13.0% knew about
body mass index (BMI), 30.0% were aware of fasting blood glucose levels, and 44.0%
recognized that adults should engage in 30 minutes of physical activity daily. Knowledge of
key physiological indicators was significantly associated with educational attainment, gender,
and age group, with lower levels of awareness observed among participants with lower
education, males, and younger adults (p=0.001). The majority of participants (75.0%-96.0%)
reported being aware of the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Among the
study participants, nine out of ten agreed that maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes regular
physical activity, exercising, walking short distances, and understanding that hypertension
is harmful and smoking adversely affects the heart. Furthermore, 80–85% reported avoiding
excessive alcohol consumption, and 79% believed that cardiovascular disease is preventable.
To prevent or reduce obesity, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, 49.0% of participants
reported engaging in regular physical activity, while 33.0% reported following a healthy diet.
Among all study participants, 61.0% had never checked their cholesterol levels, 49.0% had
never measured their blood glucose, and 15.0% had never monitored their blood pressure.
Among respondents exhibiting 1–3 common risk factors, the majority were female, aged
25–34 years, living in rural areas or ger districts, with secondary or specialized secondary
education, employed in government institutions, and had a normal BMI. In contrast, among
those with 7 or more common risk factors, the majority were male, aged 35–44 years, residing
in Ulaanbaatar, living in ger districts, and employed in private organizations.
Conclusion
Most of surveyed participants had sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes toward
modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (p=0.001). However, they exhibited
inadequate preventive practices related to these risk factors. This indicates the importance
of targeted intervention on behavior change to address this gap.
5. Residents health status of the mining area, Orkhon aimag, 2006-2022
Oyunchimeg M ; Suvd B ; Enkhjargal A ; Burmaajav B ; Chingarid A ; Gantumur T
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2024;208(2):30-38
:
According to the elemental analysis survey, it is confirmed that the content of silicon (Si) and aluminium
(Al) in coarse particles in the ambient air of Erdenet city is the highest (2457 ng/cm2, 1061.72 ng/cm2),
and the content of black carbon (BC) is the highest (2699.9 ng/cm2) for the fine particles, respectively.
In Orkhon Aimag, 221 new cancer cases were registered in 2023, 20.8 per 10,000 population, and
123 deaths were registered, which decreased by 20 cases from the previous year. Stomach, lung,
and oesophageal cancers are the most common. Among the leading causes of diseases, diseases of
the respiratory system are led by its prevalence rate of 1536 per 10,000 population, followed by the
diseases of the digestive system prevalence rate of 821 per 10,000.
Goal:
To review the epidemiological tendency of diseases registered in Orkhon aimag between 2006 and 2022.
Materials and Methods:
The secondary data on outpatient 2006-2022 of Orkhon aimag was collected and analysed. All disease
data followed the X International Classification of Diseases classification. The Ethical permission was
obtained from the Ethical Committee at the Ach Medical University. All personnel information-related
data was removed and no any name and location of personnel data was mentioned in the survey result.
Results:
In Orkhon Aimag, 524,927 cases of diseases were registered in 2006-2022. Respiratory system diseases
were 29.82 percent of total diseases, digestive system diseases were 16.58 percent, genitourinary
system diseases were 11.28 percent, cardiovascular system diseases were 10.45 percent, and skin
and subcutaneous tissue diseases were 8.38 percent. Chronic heart diseases of rheumatic origin were
registered for 11.59 percent of the population aged 50-54, hypertension diseases were registered 12.41
percent, and a steady increase was observed in the age of 20-54.
Conclusions
1. When studying the structure of diseases among the population of Orkhon aimag, the respiratory,
digestive, and genitourinary system, circulatory system and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous
tissue are the first five leading causes of diseases and consisted 76.95% of the total number of
diseases. In the study of analyzing the diseases of the circulatory system by age group and diagnosis,
cases of ischemic heart disease and high blood pressure are found among children aged 15-19
years. CVD are more common among the population aged 40-54.
2. There is a tendency that skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases to be on the rise among the population.
6. Healthcare Waste Management
Suvd B ; Nyamsuren J ; Tsolmon M ; Enkhjargal A
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2024;210(4):61-80
Healthcare is a rapidly growing industry as medical treatments become more sophisticated,
more in demand due to increasing incidence of chronic disease and more widely available
worldwide. As the amount of healthcare waste continues to increase, there is a need for
further research in the field to meet the global demand for proper disposal of healthcare
waste. The growing healthcare consumption, driven by various factors, is contributing to
the rise in hospital waste, which in turn is putting pressure on current waste management
systems.Currently, healthcare institutions manage waste by segregating at the source, safely
transporting infectious waste, and disposing of it through incineration, autoclaving, or landfill
methods. Both incineration and autoclaving processes have negative environmental and
human health impacts. To reduce the amount of healthcare waste generated, it is necessary
to train healthcare workers to properly segregate waste according to its type, following
established standards.
Governments can take action to improve waste disposal practices, reduce the generation of
infectious waste, and ensure that all types of healthcare waste are properly disposed of. This
can include:
• Governments should have clear and standardized definitions for both infectious and non
infectious healthcare waste, and enhance the regulatory and legal framework to prevent
illegal disposal of waste.
• Healthcare institutions should be provided with incentives, financial support, and other
measures to reduce hospital waste, with a particular focus on reducing infectious waste in
local health institutions.
• Governments should provide research grants to support studies aimed at reducing and
managing healthcare waste disposal effectively.
These measures would help improve the overall management and reduction of healthcare
waste and ensure a safer and more sustainable approach to waste disposal.
7.Health Impact Assessment of the Mining Industry
Oyunchimeg M ; Suvd B ; Enkhjargal A ; Burmaajav B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2023;203(1):66-79
Health impact assessment is a means of evidence-based policy-making for improvement in health. It is a combination of methods whose aim is to assess the health consequences to a population of a policy, project, or program that does not necessarily have health as its primary objective. It is described as being “the leading global network on best practice in the use of impact assessment for informed decision-making regarding policies, programs, plans and projects”. In recent years, much evidence was revealed that the mining, metal mining, and processing industry has a greatly impact on humans. Residing population has affected directly and indirectly influenced to the health and wellbeing of human.
The mining, metal mining and processing industries play an important role in the economic and social development of Mongolia. With the rapid development of the mining industry in Mongolia, environmental protection and environmental rehabilitation have become a priority. Currently, there are 27 laws governing environmental legal acts in our country, and chapter 3 of the Hygiene Law covers environmental and health impact assessment. As stated the implementation of the law shall be financed from the state and local budgets, the central state administrative organization and the Governor at the appropriate level shall order the relevant professional organizations to carry out environmental research and analysis work and to develop projects, and in addition to financing with budget funds, as well as conducting research with their funds for interested citizens, enterprises, and organizations were are arrangements to support the implementation of the laws and its regulation.
However, Within the scope of the Law on Environmental Protection and Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures, the negative impact on the environment is identified but in the area of health impact, it is a lack of information on how the activities are conducted, and health impact assessments are not conducted according to procedures and methods. Thus, there are need to conduct health impact assessments of the mining area and its affected population.
8.Qualitative studies on raw materials for Hepaclin-4 prescription
Byambauren G ; Tserentsoo B ; Enkhsaikhan M ; Emujin S ; Munkhtsetseg B ; Suvd B ; Altansukh Ts ; Tserendolgor B
Mongolian Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2023;22(1):34-40
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.
9.Correlation between 0-5 year old children’s diarrheal infections and soil bacterial contamination in Ulaanbaatar city
Oyunchimeg M ; Burmaajav B ; Enkhjargal A ; Suvd B ; Tsegmed S ; Dorjkhand B ; Tsogtbaatar B
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2017;179(1):39-44
Background:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers an historic opportunity to set a new course for the next era for significant changes for children and their families, with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is at the centre of this ambitious new agenda, with a distinct water sector goal (SDG 6) that aims for universal, sustainable, affordable and equitable access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene, as well as the elimination of open defecation by 2030. According to the data of the National Statistics Office of Mongolia, the total population of the country is 3,036,988 of which 1.3 million inhabit in Ulaanbaatar with over 60 percent of them living in the ger districts. Sanitation facilities which fail to meet the hygiene requirements are used by 97.3 percent of the ger-district households.
Materials and Methods:
The research was implemented using laboratory test methods following the cross-sectional model. In the ger communities of the 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar, 111 sites were selected for soil sampling in July, August and September of 2016 with 3 repetitions. The samples were tested in the reference laboratory of the Public Health Institute, titres of E.Coli and quantities of Protei were defined and assessed in comparison against the normative levels provided in the Standard MNS 3297:91 “Environmental protection. Soil. The indicators of norm sanitation condition for soil communities.
Results:
The findings of the study show that the most or 79.2 percent (225) of the sites where E.Coli was detected had low level of contamination, 18.3 percent (52) had moderate contamination and 2.1 percent (7) had high level of contamination. By locations of soil sampling for E.Coli detection, 588.74 titres were counted in the samples from near the ger-district service centres which was the highest among other locations and 5.88 times exceeded the mean contamination category of MNS3291:91 Standard as much as 5.88 times. The E.Coli contamination in the samples taken from near the main roads and gas stations were higher than the Submitted abstract International expert consultation on sanitation in cold climate 148 mean standard category (100-1000) by 16 points, but still lower than at the other locations (p=0.22). The mean value of the Proteus titres from July, August and September in the soil samples from the proximities of the car and tyre repair shops and car wash centres was higher than at other locations and would fall within the high contamination category according to the Standard. The 1.0 percent of the causes of diarrhea in small children in ger areas in UB is E.Coli in the topsoil. But the total number of bacteria in soil accounts for the 2.1 percent of the causes of diarrhea in small children.
Conclusions
1. Thesurficial soil of the ger-districts in city Ulaanbaatar are getting contaminated due to human and animal excreta and pit latrines which do not meet the hygiene requirements.
2. Pollution of soil pathogenic microorganisms affects the diarrheal infection in children from ger areas in Ulaanbaatar.
10.The attack rates of the pandemic influenza infection, Ulaanbaatar, November 2009
Amarzaya S ; Altanchimeg S ; Suvd B ; Oyun M ; Enkhjargal T ; Tuul TS ; Dolgorkhand A ; Surenkhand G ; Ambeselmaa A
Mongolian Medical Sciences 2010;152(2):47-52
BACKGROUND: In Ulaanbaatar, the first case of the pandemic influenza infection has been reported on 12 October 2010.By November 9, a total of 929 cases laboratory-confirmed had been reported to National Center for CommunicableDiseases (NCCD). Of these cases reported, 9 people died.METHODS: The objectives of the study were to describe patients who admitted and hospitalized at NCCD and to determineoverall attack rates among health workers, secondary attack rates among students of colleges and universities. Datawas analyzed using Epi-Info2000.RESULTS: Among 929 of laboratory-confirmed cases, 50.3% (95% CI 43.0-57.5) were males aged 23 (±14.9) in averagewith youngest – 7 months, oldest – 76 years old. Data analysis by districts among the hospitalized patients, showed32.8% (139) of total cases in Bayanzurkh district including the first case of the pandemic influenza infection. The majorityof patients who admitted and hospitalized to NCCD mostly experienced fever (288, 68.1%), dry cough (251, 59.3%),headache (203, 48.0%), sore throat (175, 41.6%). With 1020 physicians and health workers in total, 41.4% (422) ofthem work at NCCD, 35.4% (361) – at MCHRC. 11.1% of health workers out of total become ill with pandemic H1N12009 (overall attack rate 11.1%) with the most common symptom, 380C and higher fever (100.0%, 113), sore throat(83.2%, 94), cough (76.1%, 86) and runny nose (59.3%, 67). The higher attack rates of health workers by occupationwere doctor (18.0%) and auxiliary (13%). The secondary attack rates among university students for influenza-likeillness(ILI) were 12.9%. These secondary attack rates were higher among students of art’s college as compared withother universities (52.4%). For students, the main clinical symptoms were fever + sore throat (75.0%, 18), fever+ cough(70.8%, 17).DISCUSSION: In China, as of 27 September, 2009, from reported total 19981 cases infected with pandemic influenza,61.0% were males, mean age was 17, mainly affected with 83% school students that consistent with our study result.The similar results on clinical symptoms were obtained in Russia. Out of 130 patients, 28.6% had 380Ñ and higherfever, for 54.3% the body temperature reached 38.1-390Ñ where as 17.1% - higher 390Ñ and 96% had cough, 89%had muscle ache, 65% had headache, 14% had diarrhea.
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