Effects of grazing and community-based management on rangelands of Mongolia

Includes bibliographical references.2015 Fall.To view the abstract, please see the full text of the document

Identification of COPD Phenotypes and BODE Index of Mongolian Miners

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between COPD phenotypes and the BODE index. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 99 patients with COPD. COPD was classified using HRCT into the three morphological phenotypes. Lung function was analyzed by spirometry and the BODE index (Body-mass index, airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise) was calculated. Results: According to the survey, 53 (53.5%) patients had A phenotype, 31 (31.3%) had a M phenotype, and 15 (15.1%) had a E phenotype. Emphysema type has higher BODE index scores. BODE index scores increased significantly with increasing severity of COPD according to the GOLD classification (P<.001). Conclusion: BODE index scores were increased in associating with severity of COPD. Emphysema type COPD has a worse BODE scores than others

Effects of Grazing on vegetation in the Gobi desert region of Mongolia

Mongolia is a massive, semi-arid country in Central Asia with a huge territory of 1,500,000 km2, with rangeland making up around 75% of the country\u27s territory. These rangelands have supported herders and grazing animals for millennia. The transition from nomadic to stationary livestock husbandry in Mongolia’s rangeland has resulted in major changes in vegetation communities due to increased livestock numbers. The primary objective of this study is to examine the impacts of grazing on the vegetation of rangelands in the desert steppe ecosystem. The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of livestock grazing by measuring vegetation standing crop biomass, vegetation cover, and species\u27 richness. The study was carried out in Khanbogd soum (district), Umnugovi aimag, the southern province of Mongolia. To assess the grazing impact, we sampled fourteen winter camps of herders who are members of the four herder groups, who were located at 1000 m and 2000 m from each. In total, we sampled 28 plots in two consecutive years. Our results indicate that aboveground biomass, cover, and species\u27 richness did not differ with increasing distance from winter camps. Similar grazing pressures were shown at 1,000 and 2,000 meters away from the winter camps as well

The Outcome of Uterine Artery Embolization in the Treatment of Uterine Leiomyomas in Mongolia

Objective: To evaluate and determine treatment efficacy of uterine artery embolization versus uterine myomectomy in treating uterine leiomyomas. Methods: In 2010-2013, 94 women between the ages of 23-50 years were recruited in the study. They were divided into 2 treatment groups: uterine artery embolization and myomectomy (control) group and were followed up for two consecutive years. Results: After uterine artery embolization, the volume of leiomyomas decreased 56%-91% (p<0.05). Menorrhagia in the uterine artery embolization versus myomectomy group was 95.2% and 92.8% (p>0.05), anemia 87.5% and 85.7% (p>0.05), pain subsided 72.2% versus 86.8% and "bulk" symptoms 87.5% versus 100% respectively (p>0.05). Overall health-related quality of life score +27.6 versus +17.1 and SS score -34.0 versus -32.8, patient satisfaction 89.4% versus 72.3% (p=0.001). Re-growth after uterine artery embolization 2.1% versus myomectomy 23.4% (p=0.0001), Post-treatment conception 25.5% versus 31.9% and cesarean delivery rate 88.9% versus 90% respectively (p>0.05). Duration of the procedure 38.9±4.8 minutes versus 54.0±26.3 minutes (p=0.0001), length of hospital stay 2.4±0.9 days versus 6.9±2.3 days (p=0.0001), days to recovery 10.6±3.0 versus 26.2±17.9 (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Uterine artery embolization treatment effectively decreases the size of leiomyomas (p=0.015), it particularly improves menorrhagia. The quality of life and patient satisfaction scores after uterine artery embolization are better (p=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference with regard to conception rate or the need for cesarean delivery (p>0.05)

Performance of Ovarian Response Prediction Index As Predictor of Ovarian Response

Objective: We aimed to evaluate potential predictors of response to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Estradiol, antral follicle count (AFC), and ovarian response prediction index (ORPI). Methods: In this prospective, single center study, we recruited 55 infertile women underwent the first cycle of in vitro fertilization/ intracytoplasmic injection/intrauterine insemination (IVF/ICSI/IUI). We measured serum FSH and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level by ELISA and evaluated AFC. In accordance with formula, AMH x AFC / patient\u27s age, ORPI was calculated. Results: The study participants are aged between 25 to 48 in infertility women. The mean age of the participants are 34.5 ± 5.5. The hormonal predictors, as well as ovarian response, are presented in Table 2. Predict ovarian hypo response by E2 and ORPI. Multivariable models improved the predictive accuracy for hypo-response (AUC > 0.6). With regard to the hyper-response, ORPI, E2 and AFC showed good predictors. In the multivariable model, the ORPI, E2 and AFC presented the best predictive accuracy, with an AUC 0.81, a sensitivity of 87 %, and a specificity of 67 %. Conclusion: ORPIndex is predicting the hyper-response more accurately than the ovarian hypo- response in infertility women. Participant’s ovarian reserve biomarkers (AFC and E level) was significantly increased predictive accuracy

Minimal Stimulation Using Gonadotropin Combined with Clomiphene Citrate or Letrozole for Intrauterine Insemination

Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate the administration efficiency of first-line drugs such as clomiphene citrate (CC), letrozole (L), and the gonadotropin follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to be used in ovulation induction for intra uterine induction (IUI) in Mongolian patients. Methods: In this prospective single center study we recruited 158 infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Results: In the FSH group, 15 patients (31.2 %) had mycoplasma. On the other hand, the group CC and the L group had a significantly higher number of pregnancies compared than the FSH group. Moreover, there was a trend for an increasing volume of menstruation in the CC group. 38.6 % having a medium volume of menstruation, while 59.6 % had a big volume of menstruation. Stimulation characteristics of patients shows that estradiol on started day (SE2) was significantly higher in the FSH group (768.91 ± 575.64), while it was 523.66 ± 435.84 and 419.36 ± 326.30 in the CC and the L groups, respectively. Conclusions: A minimal stimulation protocol using FSH, CC and L separately was done in Mongolian women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Clinical pregnancy rates were 1.46 ± 0.50 in the FSH group, 1.35 ± 0.48 in CC group, and 1.38 ± 0.49 in L group

Measurement of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis D: Comparison of Invasive and Non-Invasive Methods

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare non-invasive methods in the detection of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis delta. Methods: Twelve patients with chronic hepatitis delta who visited the Gastroenterology Department at the Intermed Hospital, were studied. Clinical and histological data were evaluated and serum indirect fibrosis markers including AST to ALT ratio, AST-to-Platelet Ratio, Fibrosis-4 index scores were calculated. Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer and liver stiffness measurements were performed in all participants. Results: Histological scoring showed that 16.7%, 41.7% and 41.7% of participants had F2, F3, and F4 stage of liver fibrosis, respectively. All participants were divided into groups; cirrhotic (F4) and non-cirrhotic (F0-F3). The median AST to ALT ratio in cirrhotic vs. noncirrhotic patients was 1.4 vs. 1.1 (p=.67), AST-to-Platelet ratios were 0.7 vs. 1.1 (p=.48), and Fibrosis-4 index scores were 1.8 vs. 1.6 (p=.82) in non-cirrhotic patients. Median Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer levels in the cirrhotic group 1.3 cut-off index vs. 1.4 cut-off index in the non-cirrhotic group (p=.85). The median liver stiffness was 12.6 kPa in cirrhotic patients while 8.1 kPa in non-cirrhotic patients (p=.05). Conclusion: Non-invasive serum markers were less accurate in determining fibrosis in chronic hepatitis delta patients. Liver stiffness measurement was superior to the non-invasive serum markers

Comparative Study on Macroscopic Anatomy of Human Placenta in Term and Post Term Pregnancy

Objectives: We aimed to compare the macroscopic anatomy of human placenta in term and post-term pregnancy. Methods: This maternity hospital-based comparative study was carried out in Mongolia, in the year 2017-2018. For study purposes, placentae were collected from 1061 women between 17-44 years of age with live birth only. Term: 38 weeks to 40 weeks gestational period, and post-term: beyond 41 weeks gestational period. The macroscopic features of the placentae were measured as a standard protocol that is approved Department of Anatomy, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Results: A total of rounded shapes was found in 72% of cases and oval in 26.3% cases, irregular shape in 1.7% cases of the three shape groups. The width and the weight of the placenta (t = 7.20, t = 13.27 respectively) were compared between groups term and post-term found to be significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We conclude that irrespective of term or post-term placentae, most of the placentae were round in shape. The averages of placental morphometric parameters of both of term or post-term placentae are in the normal limit. This study concludes that as the gestational period increases length, width, thickness, and weight of placenta increases in different