Mongolia Research Articles

Some External Aspects of Mongolia’s Security

No abstract available. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v4i0.420 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs Vol.4 2007: 54-61

One American Educators' Sensitivity to Mongolia

No abstract available. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v4i0.423 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs Vol.4 2007: 79-83

The “Great Game”: Mongolia between Russia And China

No abstract available. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v4i0.421 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs Vol.4 2007: 62-71

Comparative study on the relationship between loneliness and the quality of life of urban and rural absent parents in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Objective To know the relationship between loneliness and the quality of life of urban and rural absent parents in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, clear the influence factors of loneliness in the absent parents. Methods 441 cases of urban and rural absent parents were selected from the Chifeng district of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were valuated with the general information questionnaire, UCLA Loneliness Scale and MOS 36 item short form health survey (SF-36). Results Rural cases had a higher level of loneliness when compared with the urban cases,t=4.60,P<0.01. There were significant differences in the general score and the scores of each dimension between the two groups,P< 0.05. Loneliness score was significantly negative correlation with the quality of life in all dimensions,P<0.01. Regression analysis showed that health, marital status, income and the education level were the main influence factor of loneliness in the urban and rural absent parents. Conclusions Compared with the urban absent parents, rural cases had more obvious loneliness and lower quality of life. Loneliness levels influence the quality of life of absent parents. Loneliness condition of urban and rural absent parents were influenced by various factors, the cases with characteristic of frail, single, low education level and poor economic condition should be the focus group to intervene. Key words: Quality of life; Aged; Loneliness; Influence factors

Wavelet analysis of spring climate characteristics in arid aeolian area of agro-pastoral ecotone in China

The unique regional climate characteristics are among the main reasons for the frequent wind-sand activity in arid and cold areas in the agro-pastoral ecotone in Inner Mongolia, China. This paper focuses on the time series of temperature and precipitation in spring when sandstorms often occur in the area. Based on meteorological data for a 46-year period from 1959 to 2004, multi-scale variations and abrupt changes in temperature and precipitation were analyzed with the Mexican hat function (MHF) wavelet method, showing the multi-scale variation characteristics of temperature and precipitation, as well as the periods and change points at different time scales. The relationship between temperature and precipitation was obtained using the wavelet analysis method. Obvious staggered features of the variations of spring temperature and precipitation were observed in this agro-pastoral ecotone. The strongest oscillation periods of spring temperature variations were 1 and 22 years, while for precipitation, the strongest oscillation periods of variations were 2, 8, and 22 years. In addition, lower spring temperature corresponded to lower precipitation, whereas higher temperature yielded higher precipitation rate.

Analysis of differences in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia and Han girls in China

To analyze the differences in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia and Han girls and understand the characteristics of their physical development in two ethnic groups. The data on anthropometric measurements of Mongolia and Han girls aged 9-17 years in Inner Mongolia were obtained from the Chinese National Survey on Student's Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) in 2010, and the data included body height, sitting height, chest circumference, weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TST), scapular skinfold thickness (SST), abdominal skinfold thickness (AST), and having menarche or not. The girls were divided into two groups according to having menarche or not, and the differences in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia and Han girls were analyzed for the two groups, respectively. The proportions of Mongolia girls (9-17 years) who have experienced menarche was higher than that of Han girls (67.6%,1 049/1 553) vs (62.9%,1 837/2 922) (χ² = 9.17, P = 0.002). In girls without menarche (9-14 years), sitting height, AST, and BMI in Mongolia girls was 0.5 cm, 1.6 mm, and 0.4 kg/m², respectively, which were higher than those in Han girls (all P < 0.05). In girls who have experienced menarche (11-17 years), height and SST in Han girls was 0.8 cm, and 1.0 mm, respectively, which were higher than those in Mongolia girls (all P values < 0.01); TST, AST and BMI in Mongolia girls were 0.9 mm, 2.9 mm, and 0.3 kg/m², respectively, which were higher than those in Han girls (all P values < 0.05), respectively. Body AST and BMI in Mongolia girls are higher than those in Han girls, while body height in Han girls is better than that in Mongolia girls after menarche. The differences of physical development between Mongolia girls and Han girls might be different before and after experiencing menarche.

Study on Speciation Analysis and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments in Gansu, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia Sections of the Yellow River in Wet Season with HR-ICP-MS

In order to continuously study the contents, pollution condition and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediments in Gansu, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia sections of the Yellow River in wet seasons in different years, the speciation analysis of 9 kinds of heavy metals including Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, V, Co, Zn and Mn, pollution condition and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediments from 10 sampling sites like Baotoufuqiao (S2), Shizuishantaolezhen (S6) and Wujinxia (S9) in Gansu, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia sections of the Yellow River in 2012 wet season were studied with BCR sequential extraction and high resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) based on our previous works. The results implied that the order of heavy metals average contents in the 10 sediment samples were the same: Mn>V> Zn>Cr>Cu>Ni>Pb>Co>Cd. In the sediments, heavy metals mainly existed in the form of residual fraction, which indicated that the bioavailability or environmental impact was low. Results of geo-accumulation indices (Igeo) showed that Igeo(CD), was the largest among the heavy metals with the strongest pollution, while IGEO(Mn)was the smallest. Enrichment factor (EF) indicated that only Cd and Cu were enriched at some sampling sites. In S5, because EFcd reached 4. 69, Cd was affected by human activities obviously and the result was consistent with I. Potential ecological risk index (RI) implied that the RI values in S1, S2 and S5 were between 150 and 300, which belonged to moderate polluting degree, while others were less than 150, belonging to light pollution degree. The results of this paper could not only provide reliable experimental data and theoretical basis for the relevant departments, but also supply the technical support for constructing mathematics model of sediments-pollutants transport, systematically researching the migration and transformation rule of persistent toxic substances and environmental assessment in these reaches.

Correlation analysis of surfactant protein-C genetic polymorphisms and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome of the Mongol nationality in Inner Mongolia

Objective To investigate the distribution of surfactant protein-C (SP-C) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and to study the association between the SP-C gene polymorphisms and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) in infants. Methods Fifty-one infants with NRDS (NRDS group) and 51 infants without RDS (control group) were selected. PCR gene analysis and polymerase chain reaction were used to establish the genotype and allele frequencies of SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N), SP-C exon 4 and 5 for the mutation, and then the association between the polymorphisms and NRDS was analyzed. Results SP-C gene mutations were not found in exon 4 and 5. In the Mongol nationality of the Inner Mongolia region, SP-C exon 4(T138N) genotypes could check out three genotypes: namely AA, AC and CC. The frequencies of allele A and allele C of SP-C exon 4(T138N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group (χ2=0.454, P=0.797). In the Mongol nationality, SP-C exon 5(S186N) genotypes could check out three genotypes: namely AA, AG and GG. The frequencies of allele A and allele G of SP-C exon 5(S186N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group (χ2=0.493, P=0.782). Conclusion SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) gene polymorphism in Inner Mongolia newborns displays no significant correlation with sex, birth weight or gestational age. SP-C gene mutations are not found in exon 4 and 5. SP-C gene exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) polymorphisms are not found to be associated with NRDS in Mongol nationality of the Inner Mongolia. Key words: Respiratory distress syndrome; Surfactant protein C; Gene polymorphisms; Newborn

Rapid loss of lakes on the Mongolian Plateau.

Lakes are widely distributed on the Mongolian Plateau and, as critical water sources, have sustained Mongolian pastures for hundreds of years. However, the plateau has experienced significant lake shrinkage and grassland degradation during the past several decades. To quantify the changes in all of the lakes on the plateau and the associated driving factors, we performed a satellite-based survey using multitemporal Landsat images from the 1970s to 2000s, combined with ground-based censuses. Our results document a rapid loss of lakes on the plateau in the past decades: the number of lakes with a water surface area >1 km(2) decreased from 785 in the late 1980s to 577 in 2010, with a greater rate of decrease (34.0%) in Inner Mongolia of China than in Mongolia (17.6%). This decrease has been particularly pronounced since the late 1990s in Inner Mongolia and the number of lakes >10 km(2) has declined by 30.0%. The statistical analyses suggested that in Mongolia precipitation was the dominant driver for the lake changes, and in Inner Mongolia coal mining was most important in its grassland area and irrigation was the leading factor in its cultivated area. The deterioration of lakes is expected to continue in the following decades not only because of changing climate but also increasing exploitation of underground mineral and groundwater resources on the plateau. To protect grasslands and the indigenous nomads, effective action is urgently required to save these valuable lakes from further deterioration.

Differences in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia boys and Han boys in China

To analyze the difference in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia boys and Han boys in China and understand the characteristics of children's physical development in two ethnic groups. The data on anthropometric measurements of Mongolia boys and Han boys in Inner Mongolia were obtained from the National Survey on Student's Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) conducted in 2010, the data included body height, sitting height, chest circumference, body weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TST), scapular skinfold thickness (SST), abdominal skinfold thickness (AST), living area (urban area or rural area), and having spermatorrhea or not. The boys in two ethnic groups were divided into two groups according to the data about spermatorrhea, the living area specific difference in the anthropometric measurements between the boys in two ethnic groups were analyzed. The proportions of Han boys having spermatorrhea at 11, 12, 14 years old (0, 3.2% , 62.5%) were higher than those of Mongolia boys (8.1%, 15.3%, 76.0%, all P < 0.05). In the boys who had had no spermatorrhea (11-14 years old), the body height of Han boys was 1.4 cm higher than that of Mongolia boys (P < 0.01), however, there were no significant differences in sitting height, chest circumference, body weight, TST, SST,AST and BMI between Han boys and Mongolia boys (all P > 0.05). In the boys who had had spermatorrhea (12-17 years old), the body height, sitting height, chest circumference, body weight, SST, BMI of Han boys were 1.8 cm,0.6 cm, 3.1 cm, 3.1 kg, 1.7 mm and 0.7 kg/m(2) higher than those of Mongolia boys, respectively (all P < 0.05), however, the differences in TST and AST between Han boys and Mongolia boys were not statistical significant (all P > 0.05). The body height of Han boys might be higher than that of Mongolia boys, and in those who had had spermatorrhea, the sitting height, chest circumference, body weight, SST and BMI of Han boys might be higher than those of Mongolia boys, the differences in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia boys and Han boys who had had spermatorrhea or not might be different.

Clinical significance analysis of lymph node metastasis on the middle and lower segment of 186 cases of II and III stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients

Objective To investigate lymph node metastasis on the middle and lower segment of Ⅱ and Ⅲ stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, understand the factors influencing the lymph node metastasis, and provide the basis for the key areas of lymph node cleaning. Methods A retrospective study was made on the specimens of 186 patients who were middle and lower segment of Ⅱ and Ⅲ stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, who had underwent radical operation through left thoracic, thoraco abdominal two field lymph node cleaning. All the cases were patients from April 2010 to December 2013 at the Inner Mongolia Medical University Clinical Medical College of Chifeng. Results A percentage (67.9%) of patients (126/186) was found with lymph node metastasis. A total of 4259 lymph node was dissected, with an averaged cleaning of (22.9±8.1) lymph nodes for each case. A total of 622 lymph nodes (14.6%=622/4 259) existed metastasis. The rate of mediastinum metastasis for middle and lower segment of esophageal cancer was 56.1% and 16.5%, respectively. The rate of metastasis to the lower mediastinal lymph nodes was 34.6% and 54.4%, respectively. The rate of metastasis to the celiac lymph nodes was 23.4% and 46.8%, respectively. A significant difference was found in the metastasis locations of middle and lower segment of esophageal carcinomas (P 0.05). Conclusions The lower segment of Ⅱ, Ⅲ stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastasis occurs in the lower mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes. The middle segment Ⅱ, Ⅲ stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastasis occurs in the thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes with Jump transfer characteristics. The lymph node cleaning of the middle segment includes the left artery near the stomach, paraesophageal, and carina lymph node. The lymph node cleaning of the lower segment includes paraesophageal, cardia, and gastric lymph nodes. The metastasis rate of vascular tumor thrombus is related to the depth of tumor invasion and differentiation degree. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms/pathology; Neoplasms, squamous cell/pathology; Lymphatic metastasis; Retrospective studies

Amplification of cytochrome C oxidase summit I gene of Brandt's Vole by nested PCR.

Objective To determine a method for amplification of cytochrome C oxidase subunit I(CO I) gene of Brandt's vole. Methods The Brandt's Voles were captured in Abagaqi Xilingol League Inner Mongolia, and DNA was extracted from liver tissue. CO I gene was amplified by nested PCR and sequenced afterwards. Results A band of 657 bp and 1 132 bp was amplified by internal and external PCR primers, respectively, which were consistent with expected sizes. A total of 12 segments of Brandt's Vole CO I gene sequences were amplified by PCR and verified by sequencing. The sequence number was KF182196 - KF182207 in GenBank. After gene sequence alignment of the 12 CO I gene sequences, it was found that the similarity was 100%, and no base mutation. Conclusion CO I gene of Brandt's Vole could be amplified by nested PCR without pseudo gene. Key words: Nested PCR; Brandt's Vole; Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene

Risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in army and navy recruits

To explore the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection rate among army and navy recruits, examine its associated risk factors and provide theoretic rationales for Hp control. A cross-sectionalstudy was performed for 1 732 subjects (aged 17-24 years) selected from 18 new recruit populations in Inner Mongolia and Zhoushan area from September 2013 to November 2013.Hp infection was detected by (13)C-urea breath test. Meanwhile, a questionnaire containing 62 potential factors related to Hp infection was surveyed. In addition, (13)C-urea breath test was performed in 513 navy veterans (aged 19-51 years) in Zhoushan area from April 2013 to October 2013. The data of risk factors were analyzed by χ(2) test and multivariate Logistic regression. A total of 2 162 soldiers were enrolled and 1 649 new recruits completed two surveys. The overall Hp infection rate was 46.5% (768/1 649), which is lower than the previous studies (52.9%). And it was 47.0% (377/802) in army new recruits and 46.0% (390/847) in navy new recruits. For new recruits, Hp infection was associated with number of family members, washing tableware with detergents, first drinking age and paring fruits before eating (all P < 0.05). However, there was no association with age, education level or washing hands before meal (all P > 0.05). The Hp infection rate was higher in recruits from the West China and North China.In addition, the infection rate was 60.8% (312/513) in a population of 513 veterans. It was 46.6% (768/1 649) in recruits less than onemonth of service, 59.2% (180/304) in recruits less than two years of service and 63.2% (132/209) in recruits more than two years of service, the difference had statistical significance(P < 0.05). Logistic analysis of multiple variables showed that number of family members, washing tableware with detergents, first drinking age and paring fruits before eating were independent risk factors (OR = 1.574, 0.538, 0.638, 0.855; 95%CI:1.077-2.301, 0.362-0.798, 0.486-0.837, 0.457-0.961). The Hp infection rate is similar between army and navy recruits. It has dropped significantly and its epidemic region changed in new male recruits compared to a decade ago in china. Hp infection clustered within families. The factors including fewer family members, washing tableware without detergents, first drinking at young age and no paring fruits before eating are risk factors of Hpinfection. And a longer service time is associated with higher Hp infection rate in recruits.

Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Metal in Resuspended Particles of Urban Street Dust from an Industrial City in China

Concentrations and ecological and health risks of metals in the resuspended particles of urban street dust collected from an industrial city, Baotou, China were studied. The results show that the average concentrations of Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in the studied samples are 990.1, 56.2, 247.8, 31.5, 566.3, 26.1, 59.9, 82.2 and 77.5 mg kg -1 respectively, which are higher than the background values of Inner Mongolia soil, especially Co, Cr and Pb. The results of potential ecological risk analysis demonstrate that Ba, Mn, V, Zn and Ni in the samples are in low ecological risk levels whereas Cr, Cu and Pb are in low to moderate ecological risk levels. Co reveals moderate to considerable ecological risk. The aggregate ecological risk of metals in the resuspended particles of street dust from Baotou is in the moderate level. Human health risk assessment shows that ingestion is the main exposure pathway of metals in dust to the local habitants. The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of hazard indices for non-cancer risks of all analysed metals in the resuspended particles of street dust is within the safe level, while the maximum hazard index of Cr for children exceeds the safe level. Thus, the health risk of Cr for children due to dust exposure is a matter of concern. The cancer risk of Co, Cr and Ni to local habitants, considering only inhalation, is within the currently acceptable range.

Variation and causation of Lake Qehan, Inner Mongolia over the recent 50 years

Variation and causation of Lake Qehan, Inner Mongolia over the recent 50 years

Study of the plasmid profiles and geographical distribution of Yersinia pestis in China

To analyze the plasmid features and geographical distribution characteristics of Yersinia pestis of different plague foci in China. A total of 2 213 Yersinia pestis strains were colected from 11 Chinese plague foci separated during 1943 to 2012, and plasmid DNA according to alkali cracking method, and measured the relative molecular mass (Mr) of plasmid DNA based on the standard plasmid contrast method, then analyzed the plasmid profiles by agar gel electrophoresis. A total of 2 213 strains had 16 kinds of plasmids with different Mr, including 4×10(6), 6×10(6), 7×10(6), 13×10(6), 16×10(6), 20×10(6), 22×10(6), 23×10(6), 27×10(6), 30×10(6), 36×10(6), 45×10(6), 52×10(6), 65×10(6), 72×10(6) and 90×10(6). Plasmid were classified into 26 kinds of plasmid profiles. A total of 2 213 Yersinia pestis strains contained 4 large plasmids, 52×10(6), 65×10(6), 72×10(6) and 90×10(6), whose ratio was 22.10% (589/2 213), 75.60% (1 672/2 213), 0.17% (4/2 213), 2.12% (47/2 213), respectively. Among which, strains with plasmid 52×10(6), 65×10(6), 90×10(6) distributed in Qinghai-Tibet plateau Himalayan Marmot natural plague foci, strains with 72×10(6) plasmid only distributed in Inner Mongolia Meriones unguiculatus natural plague foci and Junggar Basin R. opimus natural plague foci, and 65×10(6) plasmid distributed in all the other foci. Strains in Chinese 11 plague foci contained 4 kinds of large plasmid, the Mr respectively were 52×10(6), 65×10(6), 72×10(6), 90×10(6), which were classified into 26 kinds of plasmid profiles with other plasmid. These plasmid profiles distributed in relatively independent epidemic focus.

First Report of the Herb Field Mouse , Apodemus uralensis (Pallas, 1811) from Mongolia

First Report of the Herb Field Mouse , Apodemus uralensis (Pallas, 1811) from Mongolia

Некоторые вопросы ресоциализации осужденнных в Монголии

Некоторые вопросы ресоциализации осужденнных в Монголии

Ancient Polish Books in Buryatian Republic near Mongolia

Ancient Polish books in Buryatian Republic near Mongolia: presentation of the problem and topics for the furhter research. Przedstawienie problemów badawczych związanych ze starymi polskimi księgami znalezionymi w Buriacji.

Where Rivers and Mountains Sing: Sound, Music, and Nomadism in Tuva and Beyond by Theodore Levin with Valentina Süzükei, and: The Horse-head Fiddle and the Cosmopolitan Reimagination of Tradition in Mongolia by Peter K. Marsh (review)

Where Rivers and Mountains Sing: Sound, Music, and Nomadism in Tuva and Beyond by Theodore Levin with Valentina Süzükei, and: The Horse-head Fiddle and the Cosmopolitan Reimagination of Tradition in Mongolia by Peter K. Marsh (review)