Background: The development of a country is often measured by the state of human development, especially maternal and child health indicators. In Mongolia, public health policies targeting the prevention of non-communicable diseases related to lifestyle and physical development among adolescents are critically needed. However, there is a lack of regional studies on adolescent health, particularly in rural areas. Aim: To study certain physical development indicators among adolescents in Bulgan province. Materials and Methods: This analytical study was conducted in 2022 involving 781 twelve-year-old children. Data were collected from parents and processed using Stata 17.0. Percentages were calculated for qualitative data, and Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Where statistically significant, multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors affecting physical development. Results: 52.88% of the participants were boys,92.45% lived in traditional or private hous12.04% of the children showed growth retardation. 49.68% were overweight.70.94% were classified as overweight or obese based on their Body Mass Index (BMI).Weak muscle strength (1.66%), flexibility (2.05%), endurance (1.66%), and agility (1.92%) were observed. Boys were more likely to experience height retardation but had stronger muscle strength.Girls showed a higher prevalence of being overweight.Children living in the provincial center had higher height and BMI, while those in soum centers demonstrated statistically significant strength in muscle power, flexibility, and endurance. Conclusion 1. Among the study participants, 70.94% of children were overweight or obese. 2. 1.66% of the study participants had weak muscle strength, 2.05% had weak flexibility, 1.66% had weak endurance, and 1.92% had weak speed and agility. 3. The use of mobile phones, parental involvement, inactivity, lack of sports, and lack of horse riding have negative effects on physical development.

BACKGROUND: Identifying and managing medical emergencies presents challenges in healthcare, where familiarity with established algorithms is essential for high-quality care. This study assessed healthcare professionals’ understanding of the latest resuscitation guidelines and explored their views on lifelong training models. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used two multiple-choice questionnaires with 50 questions developed by academic emergency and critical care consultants based on the 2021 Consensus on Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTRs) by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Healthcare staff involved in emergency coverage completed assessments on emergency management, self-evaluated their knowledge, and shared perspectives on continuous workplace education. RESULTS: Of the 1,427 distributed questionnaires, 1,034 (72.5%) were completed. Knowledge gaps were more pronounced for pediatric algorithms from the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and American Heart Association (AHA) compared to adult protocols (P<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression, being a physician, holding a Master of Science (MSc) degree, and younger age were independently associated with passing scores ≥70% (all P<0.001). Most participants (97.3%) favored brief, employer-funded teamwork refresher sessions every 4-6 months over the current four-year training model (0.6%) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study highlights healthcare life support providers’ insufficient expertise in current resuscitation guidelines. The importance of short-format retraining, upskilling, and reskilling programs with post-training assessments is evident, as most respondents expressed a strong learning motivation to participate if employer-funded.

Background: A particular appealing problem in the medical field of our country is non-communicable diseases, which are derived from child development and lifestyle, prevention and the decision was approved on being used the maternal and child health handbook in order to be promptly needed the publicly covered medical policy toward those. Several researchers have noted that in developed countries longitudinal studies are used for checking and controlling in wide range of epidemic diseases and health issues for maternal and child, pregnancy and postpartum period as well as this method is directed to be found out multiple information and knowledge. Not having studied enough how well current situations for postpartum period and maternal and child health in our countryside is become the foundation for our research work. Moreover, it needs to be found out what kind of factors, which are effected on children who were born to the year of 2010 in Bulgan province, where it started using the first and only maternal and child health handbook (so called a pink handbook) in Mongolia, health issues. Also, the foundation of this study was to be needed to focus on our attention to which level of the medical field in order to improve those generations health issues are improved, Aim: to evaluate of a written usage of the maternal and child health handbook, to define its needs, to advertise its results to the public. Materials and Methods: The study is made with a cohort design of an analytical method based on collected information in 2013, of mothers and children, who are in need, giving birth and being born in 2010 and the results were made on Stata 17 program. The answers were taken with the base study of 2013 from 1015 original case sources within study groups in needs, and collected information covered with current and actual local situation, as well as to be involved in mothers and children, who gave birth and were born in 17 sums’ health institutions of Bulgan province. Results: Participants age range and educational backgrounds; 70.34 % of mothers were between 20-34 ages, 29.36% of mothers were 35 and over ages. 1.51% of uneducated mothers, 39.06 % of high school graduates, 49.1% of permanent residents, 45.38 % of temporary or nomadic or the smallest units residents of administration, 92.08% of married, 39.88% of families are consisted in members over 5, 52.12% of boys with average weights of 3389.8 grams during the period of being born, 9.86% of heavy pregnancy or heavy weight fetuses, 4.14% of light weight fetuses or light weight infants. Plus, the study was defined the mothers educational background to be great and helpful strength to use and record and to define the usages of the maternal and child health handbook, which was given and thoroughly explained to the mothers at the beginning. The leading diseases and their reasons were among three-year aged children, who were covered and recorded with 173 severe burnt, 42 falling injuries from something, 22 being hit and 19 were bitten by animals. In this study there were 17.83% of participants without the maternal and child health handbooks (pink handbooks), 81.77% of participants carried their pink handbooks with them when they went to the health facilities, 68.47% of them, who were gotten explanations from the doctors, when the pink handbooks were opened by, 71.72% of participants answered the pink handbooks to be needed. The results of this study have indicated that 71.72% of mothers, who used it at first time, answered the maternal and child health handbooks were very important and handy for understanding to check and observe for mothers and children’s development and growth. Conclusion It was the leading reason, which was predominantly recorded with cases of burning, falling injuries, hit and bitten by animals among three-year of children, who were participated in this study. There were high amounts of respiratory diseases and diarrheas among toddlers. 71.72% of participants considered that the maternal and child health handbooks were important.

Cancer immunotherapy is widely used to treat various cancers to augment the weakened host immune response against tumors. Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells that play dual roles in inducing innate and adaptive immunity. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that exhibits anti-tumor activity against certain types of cancers. However, little is known about the anti-tumor effects of T. gondii or tumor/parasite antigen-pulsed DCs (DC vaccines, DCV) in breast cancer. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were administered E0771 mouse breast cancer cells (Cancer-injected) subcutaneously, T. gondii Me49 cysts orally (TG-injected), or DCs pulsed with breast cancer cell lysate antigen and T. gondii lysate antigens (DCV-injected) intraperitoneally. Tumor size and immunological characteristics were subsequently evaluated. We also evaluated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 levels in E0771 mouse breast cancer cells co-cultured with T. gondii or DCs by RT-PCR. The tumor volumes of mice injected with breast cancer cells and antigen-pulsed DCs (Cancer/DCV-injected mice) were similar to those of Cancer-injected mice; however, they were significantly reduced in T. gondii-infected tumor-bearing (TG/Cancer-injected) mice. Moreover, tumor volumes were significantly reduced by adding antigen-pulsed DCs (TG/Cancer/DCV-injected mice) compared to TG/Cancer-injected mice. The levels of IFN-γ, serum IgG2a levels, and CD8+ T cell populations were significantly higher in DCV- and TG-injected mice than in control mice, while no significant differences between Cancer- and Cancer/DCV-injected mice were observed. The levels of IFN-γ, the IgG2a levels, and the percentage of CD8+ T cells were significantly increased in TG/Cancer- and TG/Cancer/DCV-injected mice than in Cancer-injected mice. IFN-γ levels and serum IgG2a levels were further increased in TG/Cancer/DCV-injected mice than in TG/Cancer-injected mice. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions were significantly decreased in mouse breast cancer cells co-cultured with live T. gondii, T. gondii lysate antigen, or antigen-pulsed DCs (DCV) but not in inactivated DCs. These results indicate that T. gondii induces anti-tumor effects in breast cancer-bearing mice through the induction of strong Th1 immune responses, but not in antigen-pulsed DCs alone. The addition of antigen-pulsed DCs further augments the anti-tumor effects of T. gondii.

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and amoebic keratitis. Despite its clinical significance, effective treatments remain challenging due to a limited understanding of its pathogenic mechanism. This study developed a genetic manipulation system in Acanthamoeba to facilitate gene function and drug screening studies. We applied the Cre/loxP system to integrate the gene encoding the tdTomato fluorescent protein into the genome of Acanthamoeba castellanii via homologous recombination. The polyubiquitin gene and its untranslated regions were identified and verified, after which the tdTomato gene was cloned between the untranslated regions of the polyubiquitin gene. The construct was then introduced into the Acanthamoeba genome using a modified pLPBLP vector containing loxP sites. Cre recombinase was utilized to remove the neomycin resistance cassette flanked by loxP sites, and genetically modified cells were selected by clonal dilution. The integration of the tdTomato gene, confirmed through PCR and fluorescence microscopy, showed stable expression in both trophozoites and cysts without the need for antibiotic selection. We demonstrated the feasibility of antibiotic-free reporter gene expression in Acanthamoeba. The system provides a valuable tool for functional genomics, allowing us to explore gene functions in Acanthamoeba and develop reliable drug screening models. Furthermore, the ability to express genes without the continuous use of selection markers opens up new possibilities for studying the pathobiology of this pathogen and advancing the development of novel therapeutic strategies against Acanthamoeba infections.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, a multi-protein apparatus composed of complex A and B, are known to be involved in homeostasis of flagella formation. IFT particles have recently become an interesting topic in Giardia lamblia, which has 4 pairs of flagella. In this experiment, we examined the function of giardial IFT components. When 7 components (IFT121, 140, 20, 46, 52, 81, and 88) of IFT were expressed in Giardia trophozoites as a tagged form with mNeonGreen, all of them were found in both flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. In addition, motor proteins for IFT particles (kinesin-13 and kinesin-2b), were localized to a median body and cytoplasmic flagella, respectively. The CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of IFT88 significantly affected the lengths of all 4 flagella compared to the control cells, Giardia expressing dead Cas9 using control guide RNA. Decreased expression of kinesin-2b also resulted in shortening of flagella, excluding the ventral flagella. Live Giardia cells expressing IFT88-mNeonGreen clearly demonstrated fluorescence in flagella pores and cytoplasmic axonemes. These results on IFT88 and kinesin-2b indicate that IFT complex plays a role in maintenance of G. lamblia flagella.

Objective: Suicide is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including mental illness, economic, and cultural elements. Mental and behavioral disorders are significant contributors to suicide risk, and individuals who attempt self-harm often present with comorbidities. This study aims to identify the significance of characteristics and comorbidities among hospitalized patients who engaged in self-harm and have been diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders. Methods: We targeted patients aged 19 or older who attempted self-harm and were hospitalized from the 2022 Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey covering the period from 2008 to 2021. After applying sampling weights, the estimated total sample size was 10,140. The analysis was conducted using a general linear model for complex samples, incorporating analysis of variance and regression analyses. Additionally, network analysis was used to explore relationships among comorbidities. Results: The incidence of self-harm varied seasonally, peaking in spring, with higher rates observed in winter. Hospitalization duration was significantly longer when surgical interventions were required or when comorbidities were present. The average length of hospitalization was 20.52 days, but patients with alcohol-related addictions had a significantly longer stay (71.57 days). For each additional comorbidity, the hospitalization duration increased by 1.889 days. About 46.78% of patients had one or more comorbidities, with strong associations between mental disorders (F00–F99) and cases of poisoning or external injuries (S00–T98). Conclusion This study underscores the importance of managing comorbidities in patients with mental illness to reduce the clinical and social costs of self-harm.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.

Objective: Impact of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) changes on the criteria for schizophrenia (SZ) has been reported to be minimal in previous studies. However, this could be different in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FE-SSDs). We investigated what proportion of patients with FE-SSDs was diagnosed based on the sole presence of bizarre delusions (BDs) or first rank auditory hallucinations (FRAHs). Their alternative diagnosis by the DSM-5 was established and diagnostic stability over 1-year was identified. Methods: This was a retrospective review study on the medical records, case report forms for the subjects with FE-SSDs (n=404) participated in the Korea Early Psychosis Study. The two Japanese sites reviewed retrospectively only medical records of the subjects with FE-SSDs (n=103). We used three different definitions of BDs (strict, narrow, and broad) and specified subtypes of Other Specified Schizophrenia spectrum and Other psychotic disorders (OSSOs). To ensure inter-rater reliability between the hospitals, regular zoom meetings were held. Results: Forty (7.89%) subjects out of 507 were found to be diagnosed as SSDs based on the sole presence of BDs or FRAHs. All these patients met the criteria of OSSOs and were classified as having pure delusion (n=22), delusion with attenuated auditory hallucinations (AHs) (n=5), pure AHs (n=3) and AHs with attenuated delusion (n=10). The patients with first and second subtypes (n=27) were found to have BDs. The BDs fulfilled mostly strict definitions or satisfied the next broadest definition. The diagnostic stability of FE-OSSOs and its subgroups (first and second subtypes) over 1-year was substantially high (70.27% and 84% respectively). Conclusion These findings suggest that more rigorous diagnostic assessment should be performed especially to differentiate OSSOs from SZ in patients with FE-SSDs and more refined classification of the subtypes for OSSOs considered in the next DSM revision.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the reliability and validity of the Diagnostic Interview for the Internet Addiction Scale (DIA) among Korean children and adolescents in the clinical setting. Methods: We collected the clinical data from university hospitals in South Korea and 194 children and adolescents (aged 7–18 years) completed the questionnaire. The content validity was conducted on 10 items of the DIA and an internal consistency test was performed for the verification of reliability. Results: Participants on average, aged 13.17 years (standard deviation=2.46), and 75.3% (n=146) were boys. The DIA was highly correlated with the scores of the Korean scale for Internet addiction for adolescents, Young’s Internet Addiction Test, Internet addiction proneness scale for children and adolescents. The overall sampling suitability of the 10-item scale was tested using the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin, resulting in a high value of 0.861. The DIA revealed a two-factor structure and the Cronbach’s alpha correlation coefficient for the total scale was 0.806. Confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable model fit (root-mean square error of approximation=0.058, comparative fit index=0.950, and Tucker-Lewis Index=0.919). Conclusion The DIA may suggest in-depth-scale examinations of the factors that influence Internet addiction. We may expect that DIA would be used efficiently for the diagnosing of Internet addiction and further studies for the assessment.