Composition of iron ores from Mongolian western region and its applicability for cement production

In this research were studied the chemical and mineral compositions of some iron ores in Mongolian the western region. Also the study investigated the effect of calcium fluoride on decomposition temperatures of calcite in the raw mix for obtaining cement clinker. The chemical investigation result showed that iron oxide (Fe2O3) content in the western Mongolian iron ores represents in Uvgondatsan (Khovd) – 87.23%, Suul Khar (Khovd) – 85.00% and Kharganat (Uvs) – 89.29%, respectively. Iron ores of Kharganat and Uvgundatsan are mostly contained magnetite (Fe3O4) while iron ore of Suul Khar is mostly contained hematite (Fe2O3). The decomposition temperature of calcite (CaCO3) was reduced by 5°C, 10°C, and 15°C when calcium fluoride (CaF2) in the raw mix for obtaining cement clinker that consists of Shokhoit limestone, Shal clay and Kharganat iron ore was added up 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjc.v14i0.204 Mongolian Journal of Chemistry 14 (40), 2013, p75-7

ADDITIONS TO THE VASCULAR FLORA OF MONGOLIA - III

The paper presents the updates on the new species; new regional and new location records since the treatment for “Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia” (Urgamal et al. 2014) listed as new for the Mongolian floristic novelties and reported as well. This article includes the data on new species records for 33 species (2 subspecies and 1 varietes) included 20 genera and 14 families to the vascular flora of Mongolia. One genus (Matthiola) has been added as new to the flora of Mongolia. An annotated checklist of vascular plant species and phytogeography for Mongolia is given. The most made additions of the number of species of following families and genera: Ranunculaceae (12 species), Rosaceae (6 species), Brassicaceae (3 species) families and Potentilla (6 species), Ranunculus (4 species), and Aquilegia (3 species). The most made additions to the following phyto-geographical regions of Mongolia are: Mongolian Altai (11 species), Khentei (10 species) and Khangai (4 species) regions. The includes to new records for 10 species are as “sub-endemic“and one species as “very rare” to the vascular flora of Mongolia

Non-equivalence of Wnt and R-spondin ligands during Lgr5+ intestinal stem-cell self-renewal

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway governs diverse developmental, homeostatic and pathologic processes. Palmitoylated Wnt ligands engage cell surface Frizzled (Fzd) receptors and Lrp5/6 co-receptors enabling β-catenin nuclear translocation and Tcf/Lef-dependent gene transactivation1–3. Mutations in Wnt downstream signaling components have revealed diverse functions presumptively attributed to Wnt ligands themselves, although direct attribution remains elusive, as complicated by redundancy between 19 mammalian Wnts and 10 Fzds1 and Wnt hydrophobicity2,3. For example, individual Wnt ligand mutations have not revealed homeostatic phenotypes in the intestinal epithelium4, an archetypal canonical Wnt pathway-dependent rapidly self-renewing tissue whose regeneration is fueled by proliferative crypt Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells (ISCs)5–9. R-spondin ligands (Rspo1–4) engage distinct Lgr4-6 and Rnf43/Znrf3 receptor classes10–13, markedly potentiate canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling and induce intestinal organoid growth in vitro and Lgr5+ ISCs in vivo8,14–17. However, the interchangeability, functional cooperation and relative contributions of Wnt versus Rspo ligands to in vivo canonical Wnt signaling and ISC biology remain unknown. Here, we deconstructed functional roles of Wnt versus Rspo ligands in the intestinal crypt stem cell niche. We demonstrate that the default fate of Lgr5+ ISCs is lineage commitment, escape from which requires both Rspo and Wnt ligands. However, gain-of-function studies using Rspo versus a novel non-lipidated Wnt analog reveal qualitatively distinct, non-interchangeable roles for these ligands in ISCs. Wnts are insufficient to induce Lgr5+ ISC self-renewal, but rather confer a basal competency by maintaining Rspo receptor expression that enables Rspo to actively drive and specify the extent of stem cell expansion. This functionally non-equivalent yet cooperative interplay between Wnt and Rspo ligands establishes a molecular precedent for regulation of mammalian stem cells by distinct priming and self-renewal factors, with broad implications for precision control of tissue regeneration

Progenitor identification and SARS-CoV-2 infection in human distal lung organoids

The distal lung contains terminal bronchioles and alveoli that facilitate gas exchange. Three-dimensional in vitro human distal lung culture systems would strongly facilitate investigation of pathologies including interstitial lung disease, cancer, and SARS-CoV-2-associated COVID-19 pneumonia. We generated long-term feeder-free, chemically defined culture of distal lung progenitors as organoids derived from single adult human alveolar epithelial type II (AT2) or KRT5+ basal cells. AT2 organoids exhibited AT1 transdifferentiation potential while basal cell organoids developed lumens lined by differentiated club and ciliated cells. Single cell analysis of basal organoid KRT5+ cells revealed a distinct ITGA6+ITGB4+ mitotic population whose proliferation further segregated to a TNFRSF12Ahi subfraction comprising ~10% of KRT5+ basal cells, residing in clusters within terminal bronchioles and exhibiting enriched clonogenic organoid growth activity. Distal lung organoids were created with apical-out polarity to display ACE2 on the exposed external surface, facilitating SARS-CoV-2 infection of AT2 and basal cultures and identifying club cells as a novel target population. This long-term, feeder-free organoid culture of human distal lung, coupled with single cell analysis, identifies unsuspected basal cell functional heterogeneity and establishes a facile in vitro organoid model for human distal lung infections including COVID-19-associated pneumonia

Comments on the Red Data Book of endangered plant species of Mongolia

A more detailed categorization is proposed for the future Red Data Book of endangered plant species of Mongolia. While the most recent Red Data Book for Mongolia has its own scale, a future edition should adopt the international categorisation of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As a basis for a more detailed assessment of the degree to which plants are endangered, research on the flora of Mongolia should be intensified by elaborating monographs of all 16 phyto-geographical regions. So far, such monographs have been published for four phyto-geographical regions: Khovsgol, Khentii, Khangai, and Eastern Mongolia. The responsibility of Mongolia for the global conservation of a given species should be assessed. Mongolia is responsible for those species which have their main distribution in Mongolia or for which Mongolia is part of the range center

Success of community-based directly observed anti-tuberculosis treatment in Mongolia

BACKGROUND: Many countries restrict access to directly observed therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis (TB) to government health facilities. More innovative approaches are required to reduce non-adherence, improve patient outcomes and limit the risk of selecting drug-resistant strains. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in sputum smear-positive patients treated with community-based DOT (home-based DOT or 'lunch' DOT, whereby DOT is provided with a free daily meal once sputum smear conversion has been documented), and conventional clinic-based DOT in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, in 2010-2011. We compared treatment success using community-based home DOT vs. conventional clinic DOT and describe treatment completion rates using lunch DOT. RESULTS: The overall treatment success among new sputum smear-positive TB patients was 85.1% (1505/1768). Patients receiving community DOT had higher cure rates (294/327, 89.9% vs. 1112/1441, 77.2%; aOR 2.66, 95%CI 1.81-3.90) and higher treatment success (306/327, 93.6% vs. 1199/1441, 83.2%; aOR 2.95, 95%CI 1.85-4.71, P < 0.001) than those treated with clinic DOT. Apart from one death, treatment completion was 100% among patients who received lunch DOT after sputum smear conversion. CONCLUSIONS: Community DOT improved treatment success in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It should now be scaled up to be made available for more patients and in all regions of the country

Comparison Study on Antimicrobial and Photocatalytic Activity of Different Shaped ZnO Nanoparticles

International audienc