Background: Although isotretinoin has been confirmed by clinical and experimental studies to be a teratogenic agent that causes fetal developmental abnormalities, its effects on placental development and placental-like extra-embryonic vascularization have not been sufficiently studied. The vascularization of the chorioallantoic membrane is structurally and functionally similar to mammalian placental vascularization, which provided the rationale for conducting this study. Aim: To study the effect of isotretinoin on chorioallantoic membrane vascularization using an in ovo chick embryo model. Materials and Methods: A comparative experimental control study was conducted using fertilized eggs of the same developmental age from Gallus gallus domesticus. At the HH10 embryonic stage, the control group received avian saline, while the experimental group was administered isotretinoin (5 µg/100 µL). Vascularization of the yolk sac and chorioallantoic membrane was evaluated at the macro- and tissue levels at 72 and 120 hours of embryonic development. Vessel branching order, vascular density, and capillary number were compared, and statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Result: In the control group, vascularization progressed actively, with abundant formation of third and fourth order vessels, resulting in a dense reticular network. In contrast, the isotretinoin treated group showed delayed vessel branching, a marked reduction in the number of third- and fourth-order vessels, and an overall decrease in vascular density of 40–60%. Histological analysis revealed thinning of the chorioallantoic membrane, loss of tissue layers, and thinning of vascular walls, and the number of capillaries was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.01). In addition, the development of chorioallantoic membrane vascularization in chick embryos was found to be structurally and developmentally similar to mammalian placental vascularization. Conclusion Isotretinoin was shown to inhibit the development of the chorioallantoic membrane and markedly reduce vascularization and differentiation in an in ovo chick embryo model.

Background: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disorder characterized by the accumulation of surfactant within the alveoli, leading to impaired gas exchange and respiratory insufficiency. Although the disease is uncommon, it significantly affects patients’ quality of life and requires specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is considered the standard treatment; however, it has not been widely implemented in Mongolia. We report the first successful case of WLL performed for PAP in Mongolia. Case Presentation: A 56-year-old male presented with dyspnea. Chest computed tomography demonstrated a bilateral “crazy paving” pattern. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was positive for periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining, and anti–GM-CSF antibodies were detected, confirming the diagnosis of PAP. WLL was performed under general anesthesia using a double-lumen endotracheal tube with bronchoscopic guidance. One lung was ventilated with 100% oxygen while the contralateral lung was sequentially lavaged with 800–1000 mL of warm (37°C) saline per cycle until the effluent became clear. A total of approximately 20 liters of saline was used. Result: The procedure was completed successfully without complications. Following treatment, the patient showed marked clinical improvement with reduced dyspnea and increased exercise tolerance. Oxygen saturation improved from 88% to 93%, and spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV₁) demonstrated improvement. Chest imaging revealed a reduction in pulmonary opacities. Conclusion This case demonstrates the successful implementation of whole lung lavage (WLL) in Mongolia and highlights its importance in improving the diagnostic and therapeutic capacity for rare pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. The procedure resulted in significant improvement in clinical, functional, and radiological parameters, consistent with findings from international studies. Early diagnosis of PAP and the adoption of standardized protocols in accordance with international guidelines are essential to optimize treatment outcomes and enhance patients’ quality of life.

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinical syndrome seen in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, marked by organ failure and high risk of mortality. In Mongolia, liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease are among the leading causes of death, with mortality rates four times higher than the global average. Despite this, full data on ACLF in the country remains insufficient. Aim : This study aims to determine the prevalence, etiology, and outcomes of ACLF in patients admitted with acute de compensated liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods : This retrospective registry study analyzed all hospital admissions at the Mongolia-Japan Hos pital from Jan 1, 2022, to Dec 31, 2024. Definitions from the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the Chronic Liver Failure Consortium (EASL-CLIF) were used. Organ failure was assessed using the adapted Chronic Liver Failure-Organ Failure (CLIF-OF) score. Patients with malignancies meeting the Milan criteria were excluded. Results : A total of 83 patients were included, of whom 41% (n=34) met the ACLF criteria. Among ACLF patients, 58.8% were male, with a median age of 52 years. The most common underlying cause of cirrhosis was viral hepatitis B and D. The main triggers for ACLF were infection (50%) and alcoholic hepatitis (20.6%). ACLF grades were as follows: 29.4% for Grade 1, 29.4% for Grade 2, and 41.1% for Grade 3. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 28.9%, but it was significantly higher in the ACLF group (75%) compared to the non-ACLF group (25%). Mortality rates increased with ACLF grade: 20% for Grade 1, 50% for Grade 2, and 78.6% for Grade 3 (p < 0.00001). Conclusion 1. The prevalence of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) among patients with decompensated cirrhosis was 41%, with a notably high in-hospital mortality rate of 52.9%. 2. Bacterial infections, rather than hepatic insults, were the leading precipitating factors for ACLF, accounting for 50% of the cases.

Background: A rare angioproliferative condition of the larynx, Kaposhi sarcoma typically affects the skin. Immunosuppressive treatment following organ transplantation and human immunodeficiency virus infection are the causes. Every type of Kaposi sarcoma has human herpesvirus-8. Laryngeal kaposi sarcoma is uncommon in immunocompromised patients; since its initial identification in 1965, 18 cases have been documented globally. A CO2 laser-assisted laryngeal microsurgery is performed through the mouth cavity to remove tumor when kaposi sarcoma of the larynx obstructs the airway. Case report: A 77-year-old woman complained of hoarseness, dry mouth, odynophagia, and dysphagia three months prior when she arrived at the Mongolian-Japan Hospital. Two years ago, she acquired hard, sensitive lumps that were palpable on her right arm, left ankle, and right thigh. At that time, she was diagnosed with Kaposiform hemangiodermatitis and treated at the National Center for Dermatology. HIV test results were negative. Immunohistochemistry: CD31 +/-, CD34 /+/. Using flexible nasopharyngeal endoscopy to get the diagnosis: There was a mass that was about 1.5–2–5 cm in diameter, bluish in color, smooth and movable, and spongy and vascular on the larynx, on the nasopharynx, behind the palatine tonsills, and supraglottic. Surgery: Through the use of Kleinsasser laryngoscopy and a 0-degree endoscope, pathological tissues were extracted under general anesthesia using a laryngeal microsurgical instrument and a laparoscopic bipolar coagulator. The tissues were then sent for histological evaluation, which revealed Kaposi sarcoma, sarcoma grade 1. Results of treatment Pain decreased and quality of life increased following surgery. Upon nasopharyngeal endoscopy, the vocal cord mobility was normal and the surgical incision was clean. Conclusion: Kaposi sarcoma is an extremely uncommon illness. A lower quality of life and further issues can be avoided with an early diagnosis and suitable therapy. It also needs to be continuously monitored because it is a potentially repeatable disease.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, leading to tissue and organ damage. Globally, over 19 million people are affected by sepsis each year, with approximately 6 million deaths, making it the third leading cause of mortality (25%). Identifying factors influencing patient outcomes in sepsis and septic shock is therefore of critical importance. Aim: To investigate the factors associated with outcomes in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Mongolia-Japan Hospital (MJH) with diagnoses of sepsis and septic shock. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to the ICU of MJH with sepsis or septic shock during 2023–2024. We analyzed patient data including pre-existing comorbidities, number of infection foci, presence of multiple organ dysfunction, and initial laboratory parameters to determine associations with patient outcomes. Results: Among 430 patients admitted to the ICU during the study period, 136 (31.6%) were diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock. Of these, 94 patients (69.1%) recovered and 42 (30.8%) died. No significant differences were found between survivor and non-survivor groups in terms of comorbidities, white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, mature granulocytes, C-reactive protein, or creatinine levels. However, multiple organ dysfunction (p<0.000), infection foci ≥2 (p<0.001), lactate ≥2 mmol/L (p<0.002), and platelet abnormalities (p<0.014) were significantly associated with mortality. The most common sources of infection were intra-abdominal infections (25.7%), pneumonia (25%), skin and soft tissue infections (22.5%), urinary tract infections (16.1%), abscesses (7.35%), tuberculosis (2.2%), and catheter-related bloodstream or neurologically-origin infections (0.73%). Conclusion Intra-abdominal infections and respiratory tract infections were the most common sources of sepsis among ICU patients. Multiple organ dysfunction, having two or more infection foci, elevated lactate levels (≥2 mmol/L), and platelet abnormalities were found to significantly increase the risk of mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock.

Background: The optimal treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains undefined. Furthermore, the overall utilization and costs of various treatment approaches are incompletely understood. We investigated hospital charges and resource utilization by management strategy across the state of Maryland in adult and pediatric patients with PSP. Methods: We queried the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database for patients aged 10–40 years admitted with PSP between 2012 and 2020. Patients managed with a chest tube alone (CT) were compared with recipients of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Subsequently, we analyzed hospital charges for patients undergoing early VATS (<48 hours post-admission) vs. delayed VATS (≥48 hours). The predicted incremental cost of early vs. delayed VATS was calculated. Results: Overall, 354 admissions were identified, with 211 (59.6%) receiving CT management and 143 (40.4%) undergoing VATS. Patients receiving VATS were more likely to be female (24% vs. 15%, p=0.030) and Black (32% vs. 20%, p=0.035) than CT recipients.The median total hospital charge for CT recipients was $6,493, compared to $20,437 for patients managed surgically (p<0.001). Delayed surgery during the index admission was associated with significantly higher total hospital charges—including operating room, room and board, radiology, and laboratory costs—than early surgery. Applying early VATS to all patients appeared more cost-efficient than delayed VATS (per-patient costs: $18,568 vs. $30,832, p<0.001), although the former had slightly higher recurrence (7.9% vs. 1.5%, p=0.08). Conclusion Variations in management strategies, particularly surgical decision-making and timing, impact hospital charges and utilization for patients with PSP.

Background: The optimal treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains undefined. Furthermore, the overall utilization and costs of various treatment approaches are incompletely understood. We investigated hospital charges and resource utilization by management strategy across the state of Maryland in adult and pediatric patients with PSP. Methods: We queried the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database for patients aged 10–40 years admitted with PSP between 2012 and 2020. Patients managed with a chest tube alone (CT) were compared with recipients of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Subsequently, we analyzed hospital charges for patients undergoing early VATS (<48 hours post-admission) vs. delayed VATS (≥48 hours). The predicted incremental cost of early vs. delayed VATS was calculated. Results: Overall, 354 admissions were identified, with 211 (59.6%) receiving CT management and 143 (40.4%) undergoing VATS. Patients receiving VATS were more likely to be female (24% vs. 15%, p=0.030) and Black (32% vs. 20%, p=0.035) than CT recipients.The median total hospital charge for CT recipients was $6,493, compared to $20,437 for patients managed surgically (p<0.001). Delayed surgery during the index admission was associated with significantly higher total hospital charges—including operating room, room and board, radiology, and laboratory costs—than early surgery. Applying early VATS to all patients appeared more cost-efficient than delayed VATS (per-patient costs: $18,568 vs. $30,832, p<0.001), although the former had slightly higher recurrence (7.9% vs. 1.5%, p=0.08). Conclusion Variations in management strategies, particularly surgical decision-making and timing, impact hospital charges and utilization for patients with PSP.

Background: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, accounting for approximately 1.8 million deaths annually and representing 18% of all cancer deaths¹. According to the GLOBOCAN 2024 report, 2.4 million new cases were registered globally, ranking second after breast cancer². Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes 85% of lung cancer cases, with adenocarcinoma being the most common subtype³. The objective of this study is to map the prevalence of HER2 activation and mutations in EGFR, EML4-ALK, ROS1, BRAF, and KRAS genes among lung cancer patients in Mongolia, and to evaluate their correlations with clinical and morphological parameters (age, sex, smoking status, stage, and morphology). Aim: To determine the distribution pattern of HER2 activation and EGFR, EML-ALK, ROS1, BRAF, KRAS gene mutations among patients with lung cancer in Mongolia, and to evaluate their associations with clinical and morphological characteristics. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using archived materials from lung cancer patients at the Clinical Pathology, Molecular Genetics, and Pathology Laboratories of the National Cancer Center of Mongolia, covering the period from 2019 to June 2025. DNA Extraction from Tumor Tissue: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks from patients diagnosed with lung cancer, stored in the pathology department archives, were selected for the study. Sections of 5–10 μm thickness were cut, mounted on glass slides, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and reviewed by a pathologist. Areas containing ≥20–30% tumor cells were identified and macro-dissected for analysis. Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of EGFR/BRAF/KRAS/EML4-ALK/ROS1 Mutations: EGFR mutation detection was performed using the PANAMutyper™ EGFR Mutation Detection Kit (Panagene, Daejeon, South Korea) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. PCR reactions were carried out on a compatible instrument (Roche LightCycler 480, Germany) as recommended by the manufacturer. Statistical analysis was performed using Prisma-10 software. Results: A total of 282 lung cancer cases were included in the study. EGFR mutations were detected in 44% of cases and were absent in 56%. No significant age-related differences were observed (p=0.2636); however, EGFR mutations were significantly more frequent in females (36.6% vs. 19.6%, p=0.0019). No statistically significant differences were found across disease stage, T, N, or M classifications (p>0.05). No association was identified between smoking status and EGFR mutations (p=0.4178). Morphologically, EGFR mutations were significantly more prevalent in adenocarcinoma (54.83%) compared to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (31.8%; p=0.002). Of the 282 cases, adenocarcinoma accounted for 155 (54.9%) and SCC for 116 (41.1%). Overall, EGFR mutations were positive in 43.97% of cases, with a higher prevalence in adenocarcinoma (24.82%) than in SCC (13.1%). By exon: - Exon 18 mutations were detected in 6% of cases, predominantly in adenocarcinoma (6%, 4.25%). - Exon 19 mutations occurred in 8.15% and are associated with sensitivity to targeted therapy. - Exon 20 mutations were found in 3.19%, with the T790M resistance variant in 1.77%. - Exon 21 mutations were observed in 9.57%, more common in adenocarcinoma (9.57%) than in SCC (3.19%). Survival analysis stratified by stage at diagnosis showed significantly longer median survival in early-stage patients (18.6 months). Kaplan-Meier curve comparison, log-rank test, and hazard ratio calculations confirmed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05), indicating that disease stage is a key prognostic factor. Conclusion The study findings reveal a high prevalence of EGFR mutations among Mongolian patients with lung adenocarcinoma, underscoring the need for widespread implementation of targeted therapy (EGFR-TKIs). In contrast, mutation rates were lower in SCC and other morphological subtypes, highlighting the importance of investigating alternative molecular markers in these subgroups.

Background: The optimal treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains undefined. Furthermore, the overall utilization and costs of various treatment approaches are incompletely understood. We investigated hospital charges and resource utilization by management strategy across the state of Maryland in adult and pediatric patients with PSP. Methods: We queried the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission database for patients aged 10–40 years admitted with PSP between 2012 and 2020. Patients managed with a chest tube alone (CT) were compared with recipients of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Subsequently, we analyzed hospital charges for patients undergoing early VATS (<48 hours post-admission) vs. delayed VATS (≥48 hours). The predicted incremental cost of early vs. delayed VATS was calculated. Results: Overall, 354 admissions were identified, with 211 (59.6%) receiving CT management and 143 (40.4%) undergoing VATS. Patients receiving VATS were more likely to be female (24% vs. 15%, p=0.030) and Black (32% vs. 20%, p=0.035) than CT recipients.The median total hospital charge for CT recipients was $6,493, compared to $20,437 for patients managed surgically (p<0.001). Delayed surgery during the index admission was associated with significantly higher total hospital charges—including operating room, room and board, radiology, and laboratory costs—than early surgery. Applying early VATS to all patients appeared more cost-efficient than delayed VATS (per-patient costs: $18,568 vs. $30,832, p<0.001), although the former had slightly higher recurrence (7.9% vs. 1.5%, p=0.08). Conclusion Variations in management strategies, particularly surgical decision-making and timing, impact hospital charges and utilization for patients with PSP.

Purpose: To better understand the benefits and harms of engagement with online pediatric liver disease communities within social media. Methods: We conducted a survey of caregivers of children with liver disease participating in online pediatric liver disease communities within social media, as well as a survey of healthcare providers (e.g., physicians, surgeons, nurse coordinators) from this field to better understand the perceived benefits and harms of participation. Results: Among 138 caregivers of children with liver disease that completed the survey, 97.8% agreed social media was a good place to learn about patient experiences and 88% agreed it was a good source of general information. Among caregivers, 84.8% agreed social media helps them to better advocate for their child. While 18% agreed that the information over social media was equal to the information from their healthcare team and 19% neither agreed/disagreed, only 3% indicated they would use this information to change care without telling their provider; in contrast, among 217 healthcare providers, 55% believed social media may lead caregivers to change management without telling their team. Conclusion Engagement with online disease-specific communities in social media yields several benefits for caregivers and, in contrast to healthcare providers' concerns, participation is unlikely to lead to problems including caregivers changing the treatment plan without first discussing these plans with their team. Openness between caregivers and medical teams about the role for social media can help to improve trust and maximize the potential benefits of engagement with these groups.