Biophysical characterization of human serum albumin interaction with dapagliflozin: multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking study

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in human blood plasma and plays a crucial role in drug transport and pharmacokinetics. Dapagliflozin (DAPA), a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is widely prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we employed a combination of multi-spectroscopic techniques, including fluorescence spectroscopy (three-dimensional, synchronous), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, thermodynamic analysis, and molecular docking to investigate the interaction of dapagliflozin with HSA under physiological condition. The quenching mechanism of DAPA was determined to be dynamic through Stern-Volmer and modified Stern-Volmer analyses. The binding constants at 298 K, 303 K, 308 K were 0.52x104, 0.303x104 and 0.264x104 M-1, respectively. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the binding process is spontaneous, driven primarily by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions at various temperatures. Synchronous fluorescence studies suggest that DAPA binding does not significantly alter the microenvironment around the tyrosine and tryptophan residues of HSA, implying that the binding sites are spatially distinct from these residues. Three-dimensional fluorescence studies reveal that the addition of DAPA to HSA affects changes in the micro-environment and conformation of HSA. UV-VIS spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the HSA-DAPA complex, characterized by spectral shifts in both peptide bond and aromatic amino acid regions, indicating alterations in the protein\u27s secondary structure. The decrease in zeta potential upon DAPA binding suggests a change in the surface charge and potential conformational changes in HSA, which may influence its biological activity and interaction with other molecules. Molecular docking studies identified key amino acid residues involved in the binding of DAPA to HSA, primarily through hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions

Reconstructing the braided hair styles of the slab burial culture from stelae stone and petroglyph

The main source for identifying how the people of the Slab burial culture make and style their hair is the monuments of the burial and petroglyph which were left by them. In additionally, it is how the ancient nomads of the Bronze and Early Iron age who lived in the territory of Mongolia they make and style their hair the question one of the exciting research topic. Therefore, now we are trying to identify this question only within the context of the Slab burial culture. To find out the answer the question, we analyzed and categorized depiction of people on the enclosure of slab burials, the image of braids on the back side of statue stones erected in the certain distance to the east of the burial, and human figures in petroglyph. Through this comparative method, we determined the meaning, function, and gender of those representations as follows. According to the research results, it is common to find the images of people performing dance-like movements carved on the enclosure stones of slab burials, in many case on slabs at the head or foot of the burials. These ritual scenes are mainly led by men. As viewing by their hairstyles, the men are depicted with a single braid, women are shown with two braids. On the stelae stones, the depiction of a single braid may indicate that the statue was erected in honor of a male individual, possibly the burial’s owner. Дөрвөлжин булшны соёлынхны гэзэг үсний заслыг хөшөө чулуу болон хадны зургаас тодруулах нь Хураангуй: Дөрвөлжин булшны соёлын хүмүүс гэзэг үсээ хэрхэн засаж янзалдаг байсныг тодруулах гол эх сурвалж бол тэдний үлдээсэн булш оршуулга болон хадны зургийн дурсгал юм. Монгол нутагт оршин амьдарч байсан хүрэл, төмрийн түрүү үеийн эртний нүүдэлчид гэзэг үсээ ямар хэлбэрээр засаж гоёдог байсан тухай асуудал судалгааны нэгэн сонирхолтой сэдэв болохын хувьд бид энэ удаад зөвхөн дөрвөлжин булшны соёлын хүрээнд уг асуудлыг тодруулахыг хичээв. Энэ асуултад хариулт олох үүднээс дөрвөлжин булшны хашлага чулуун дээрх хүмүүсийн дүрслэл, булшнаас зүүн тийш тодорхой зайд босгосон хөшөө чулууны ар тал дахь гэзэгний дүрслэл болон хадны зургийн хүний дүрүүдийг хооронд нь харьцуулан ангилах аргаар судалгааны хэрэглэгдэхүүнээ бүрдүүлж тэдний утга агуулга, үүрэг зориулалт, нас хүйсийг дараах байдлаар тодорхойлов. Судалгааны үр дүнгээс харахад дөрвөлжин булшны хашлага чулуун дээрх бүжиг мэт хөдөлгөөн хийж буй хүмүүсийг ихэвчлэн булшны хөл эсвэл толгой талын хавтан чулуун дээр дүрслэх нь түгээмэл ба уг ёслолыг голчлон эрчүүд магнайлан гүйцэтгэж байна. Эдгээр хүмүүсийн үс гэзгээ зассан байдлаас харахад эрчүүд үсээ нэгээр, эмэгтэйчүүд хоёр салаа болгон гөрснөөр дүрсэлжээ. Харин хөшөө чулуун дээр нэг салаа гэзгийг дүрслэн харуулж буй нь тухайн булшны эзэн болох эрэгтэй хүнд зориулан босгосон байж болох юм. Түлхүүр үг: Дөрвөлжин булш, гэзэг үсний засал, хөшөө чулуу, хадны зура

The Formation and characteristics of university students\u27 values in Mongolia

This article examines the current situation of Mongolian university students the country’s foundational demographic group by comparing their challenges, value formation, and characteristics. With the transition from a socialist system, which emphasized collective living, public ownership, cooperative labor, and social discipline, to a democratic and market-based society, people’s values and priorities have shifted significantly. In this open, market-oriented society that followed socialism, the values and principles of young people have undergone considerable changes. A study on students’ values revealed that the most important aspects they prioritize are: 1. Upbringing and morality (21.5%) 2. Education and knowledge (18.6%) 3. Patriotism (10.8%) 4. Freedom (10.3%) 5. Money (8.9%). This article presents the key findings of a study that surveyed 5,638 university students from various regions of Mongolia who are currently studying in the capital city, using a random sampling method. Монгол дахь оюутан залуучуудын үнэт зүйлсийн төлөвшил, онцлог Хураангуй: Тус өгүүлэлд Монгол Улсын хүн амын суурь бүлэг болох оюутан залууст тулгамдаж буй асуудал, үнэт зүйлсийн төлөвшил, онцлогийг харьцуулан авч үзсэний үндсэн дээр өнөөгийн нөхцөл байдлыг тодорхойлсон болно. Нийтээр аж төрөх ёс, бүх нийтийн өмч, хамтын хөдөлмөр, нийгмийн сахилга дэг журмыг эрхэмлэж ирсэн социалист тогтолцооноос ардчилсан, зах зээлийн нийгэмд шилжсэнээр хүмүүсийн үнэт зүйл, эрхэмнэлийн тогтолцоо өөрчлөгдсөн. Социализмын дараах нээлттэй, зах зээлийн нийгэмд амьдарч залуучуудын үнэт зүйл, эрхэмнэл үлэмж өөрчлөгдөж байна. Оюутнуудын дунд явуулсан үнэт зүйлийн судалгаагаар нэгд хүмүүжил, ёс суртахуун (21.5%), хоёрт эрдэм боловсрол (18.6%), гуравт эх орон (10.8%),  дөрөвт эрх чөлөө (10.3%), тавд мөнгө (8.9%)-ийг эрхэмлэн дээдлэж явдгаа илэрхийлжээ. Энэхүү өгүүлэлд Монгол Улсын өнцөг булан бүрээс нийслэл хотод суралцаж буй 5638 оюутан залуучуудыг санамсаргүй түүврийн аргыг хамруулан судалж, гол үр дүнг хураангуйлан хүргэж байна. Түлхүүр үг: Нийгэм-хүн ам зүйн бүлэг, амьдралын хэв маяг, тулгамдаж буй асуудал, үнэт зүйл, эрэмб

Beyond the Pandemic: Last-Mile Teachers’ Insights for Future-Ready Education in Rural Schools

Modular Distance Learning (MDL) became a critical mode of instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in remote schools with limited access to technology and internet connectivity. In this context, learners independently complete lessons using printed self-learning modules, while teachers are responsible for preparing, distributing, and retrieving these materials. This study explores the lived experiences of the last-mile teachers regarding the implementation of MDL in a public secondary school located in a remote community. Using a phenomenological research design, the study captured the lived experiences of 15 teachers selected through purposive and convenience sampling based on their involvement in MDL. In-depth interviews served as the primary data collection method, and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and insights. The findings reveal a complex view of MDL, with teachers recognizing both its advantages, such as flexibility and learner autonomy, and its disadvantages, including time-consuming preparation and limited resources. Key challenges included difficulties in monitoring student progress, engaging parents, and managing inconsistent work arrangements. To cope, teachers employed action-based strategies, such as home visitations, and emotion-based strategies, such as maintaining a positive outlook and offering emotional support. The study offers recommendations to enhance MDL implementation, including strengthening teacher support, fostering greater parental involvement, and improving training and resource allocation. The study concludes that while MDL has shown potential as a solution during crises, its future success depends on community-wide support, improved logistical coordination, and policies that are adaptable to the evolving needs of educators and students in remote contexts

Water accounting: A case study in the Buir Lake - Khalkh River Basin

Arid and semi-arid regions face increasing shortage of water resources due to climate variability and competing land and water uses, yet reliable information on water availability and consumption remains limited. This study addresses the critical gap in understanding water dynamics in such environments by analyzing the Buir Lake–Khalkh River Basin in Mongolia using the Water Accounting Plus (WA+) framework. The research aims to quantify water balance components and identify how land use and land cover types influenced water availability between 2010 and 2021. Climatic datasets from WorldClim, SSEBop, and GRACE-FO were employed to estimate precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (ET), and water yield (WY). Esimates showed an average annual precipitation of 298.5 mm, with notable peaks of 386.3 mm in 2013 and minimal below 250 mm during dry years. Similarly, ET demonstrates considerable variability, averaging 274.9 mm/year; maximum value was observed in 2013 at 434.8 mm, whereas the lowest value, recorded in 2017, was 200.4 mm. The average annual water yield for the basin is quantified at 23.8 mm, with specific land cover types, such as the steppe, yielding positive values (64.1 mm), while water bodies exhibited a significant deficit of -342 mm. Furthermore, WA+ resource and evapotranspiration sheets were generated for the years 2018 and 2019. In 2018, net inflow was calculated at 8.1 km³/year, of which 4.6 km³/year was attributable to landscape evapotranspiration, resulting in 3.5 km³/year deemed exploitable. In contrast, 2019 recorded a lower inflow of 7.5 km³/year, with 5.4 km³/year lost to ET. This research elucidates the interactions among precipitation, ET, and WY, emphasizing the critical influence of land management classes on water consumption patterns. Additionally, the findings contribute to the formulation of sustainable water management strategies in arid regions and provide a methodological framework for evaluating water resources in similarly stressed basins through the integration of remote sensing and water accounting methodologies

Overview of research on traditional medicinal ingredients and raw materials mentioned in the source texts of Ami barigch-5 powder medicine

Based on the results of recent scientific research, Mongolian traditional medicine is one of the ancient medical practices with a history spanning 5,000 years. An invaluable contribution to the development of formulations in Mongolian traditional medicine is the work by Choijamts, titled “The Heart Essence of the Elixir Compiled from Various Essential Texts of Medicine: Ngo mtshar dga ston gter mdzod”. This work became widely renowned for its detailed explanation of the laws governing human health, the causes of illness, and the methods of healing, as well as for its exceptional collection of medicinal recipes. With the increasing need to systematically study traditional and modernized uses of medicines derived from plants, animals, and minerals, it is essential to elevate research to a new level. By studying traditional technologies and identifying proven medicinal compounds from ancient and rare texts, this research focuses on exploring the formula of Srog dzin-5 found in Choijamts’s work. This approach was chosen to contribute to the scientific understanding and application of traditional medicine. The Buddhist Lama Choijamts lived between 1860 and 1928. His work, “The Heart Essence of the Elixir Compiled from Various Essential Texts of Medicine: Ngo mtshar dga ston gter mdzod” commonly referred to as “Ngo mtshar dga ston gter mdzod” was initiated in 1921 and meticulously revised and completed in 1922. This monumental text comprises 129 chapters. The 58th chapter specifically addresses remedies for heart diseases, prescribing the “Ami Barigch-5” formula mixed with molasses. It describes the medicine as effective for treating heart conditions, insanity, seizures, emotional distress, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. The composition and potency of this powdered medicine were examined in comparison to other formulations and raw materials described in historical texts and primary sources. Research further indicates that the Ami Barigch-5 powder medicine, with its carefully curated ingredients and therapeutic properties, has been validated through pharmacological and clinical trials, confirming its efficacy as a traditional medicinal recipe

The knowledge of parents with infants and toddlers for antibiotic consumption

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in paediatrics. Children were 1.30 times more likely to be treated with antibiotics compared to adults3. Especially, antibiotic prescription is higher in children aged under 5 years. The survey was conducted in a cross-sectional survey design using the questionnaire used in India. The questionnaire were used for scoring KAP. Participants were confused regarding the indication of antibiotics use. This is indicated from the fact that only 173 parents (41.4%) were aware that antibiotics are used against bacterial infection, while 119 parents (28.5%) incorrectly thought that they are used against viruses and 112 parents (26.8%) felt that antibiotics could be used for any microorganism. Concerning the reason of use of antibiotics, majority (n=186) of the parents gave it to the child for cough and cold, followed next by fever (n=169). According to the KAP assessment of the parents who participated in the survey, there were 20 with poor knowledge, 168 with medium knowledge, and 230 with good knowledge. More than half (55.0%) of 418 parents have good or sufficient knowledge of the appropriate use of antibiotics, and the rest (45.0%) have medium and low knowledge or insufficient knowledge

Sexual Health Information Seeking among Mongolian Adolescents

Objective: Our study aims to ascertain the types of information sources that shape adolescents’ knowledge about sexual and reproductive health in Mongolia. Methods: The present study, in accordance with the HBSC survey protocol, encompassed a sample of 312 students aged between 15 and 18 years in Ulaanbaatar and its metropolitan areas. Data collection occurred in a paper-based form. Besides descriptive statistics, logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: The most prevalent sources of sexual health information were school health curricula (74.0%), friends (70.7%), and peers (65.6%), while less frequent sources included sexual partners (19.6%) and religious organizations (11.9%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that gender significantly influenced source preferences: females were more likely than males to seek information from parents, teachers, and health education curricula, while males were more likely to rely on sexual partners and friends. Conclusion: The findings indicated that the majority of participants received sexual health information through health education curricula, demonstrating the importance of these programs. Additionally, in light of the significant influence of peers and social media on adolescents, it is imperative to ensure they have access to reliable sexual health information through accessible sources and increased parental involvement to promote informed and responsible decision-making

Petroglyphs of the Ikh Nartiin Chuluu: New Rock Art Sites of Alag-Undur and Takhilgat Tsagaan

This article presents the rock art images of Alag-Ondor and Takhilgat Tsagaan cliffs, discovered in 2010 and studied in detail in 2013 in the territory of the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Dalanjargalan soum, Dornogovi aimag. The pur pose is to describe the rock art imagery in both places, identify the distinctive aspects of the design, and compare them with similar rock art from Mongolia and neighboring regions to determine their chronological placement. There are more than 40 figures and images pecked on six rock surfaces in two parts of the Alag Ondor cliff and six figures pecked in one place on the Takhilgat Tsagaan cliff. These images were made using the full-body pecked technique. Based on the style and composition of the rock images, they are related to the Bronze Age and the Early Middle Ages. Их нартын чулууны хадны зураг: Алаг-Өндөр, Тахилгат цагааны ар цохионы шинэ дурсгал Хураангуй. Энэ өгүүлэлд Дорноговь аймгийн Даланжаргалан сумын нутаг Их Нартын Байгалийн Нөөц газрын нутаг дэвсгэрээс 2010 онд илрүүлэн олж, 2013 онд нарийвчлан судалсан Алаг-Өндөр, Тахилгат цагааны ар цохионы хадны зургийн дурсгалыг нийтэлж байна. Тус хоёр газрын хадны зургийн дүр дүрслэлийн тодорхойлолтуудыг хийж, зохиомжийн онцлог талуудыг тогтоож, Монголын болоод хөрш зэргэлдээх бүс нутгийн хадны зургийн ижил төстэй дурсгалуудтай харьцуулан он цагийн хамаарлын асуудлыг тогтоохыг зорилоо. Алаг Өндөрийн хадан цохионы хоёр хэсэг газрын зургаан хадан гадаргууд 40 гаруй дүр, дүрслэл, Тахилгат Цагааны ар цохионд нэг газарт зургаан дүр дүрслэл сийлэгдсэн байна. Тэдгээр зургийг битүү хонхойлон сийлэх арга барилаар урлажээ. Хадны зургийн дүрслэлийн арга барил, зохиомж зэргээс харахад хүрэл зэвсгийн үе, дундад эртний улсуудын үед холбогдохоор байна. Түлхүүр үг: Их Нартын чулуу, Алаг-Өндөр, Тахилгат цагаан, хадны зураг, морьтон, янгир, завины дүрслэл, хүрэл зэвсгийн ү

Acid Leaching of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Ash Obtained from a Mongolian Surface Mine

Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial for various renewable and clean technologies, increasing the importance of their recovery from secondary sources. This study determines if REE content and recovery from coal samples, and their ash, could be obtained from a Mongolian coal mine deposit in sufficient quantities for reuse. 9 different coal samples were examined and the highest REE concentrations were found in samples 3, 7, and 4. Upon burning, REEs in the coal ash samples significantly increased in all three samples. Direct acid leaching further improved REE recovery (S3); moreover, when alkali pre-treatment and 1M hydrochloric acid leaching were used, REE recovery was increased even further (sample 7). These findings characterize coal ash at this mining site, and indicate that it could serve as a viable secondary source of REEs, using optimized leaching methods to enhance the effectiveness, for potential industrial applications in Mongolia