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Background@#Vitamins are nutrients essential for human health. They act as coenzymes that help trigger important chemical reactions necessary for energy production. Reference values for vitamins help physicians evaluate the health status of patients and make clinical decisions. The aim of this study was to determine the mean values and reference intervals for some water-soluble vitamins of Mongolian adults.@*Materials and Methods@#Three hundred and forty healthy adults (170 males and 170 females) of 17 to 69 years of age were selected for the study based on CLSI C28-P3 criteria Defining, establishing & Verifying reference interval in the clinical laboratory; Proposed Guidelines. The study was approved by the Resolution No.76 of 2018 of the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Ministry of Health. Informed consents were taken from the selected individuals. Morning blood samples of the participants were collected under aseptic conditions. Levels of vitamins B<sub>6</sub>, B<sub>9</sub>, B<sub>12</sub> and vitamin C were measured using a high performance liquid chromatography method. The lower- and upper reference limits were defined as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles, respectively. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel programs.@*Results@#The mean blood level of vitamin C was 11.88 mg/L (95% CI 10.47-13.29) for men and 9.62 mg/L (95% CI 8.11-11.13) for women. The calculated reference interval for males was 1.40-19.40 mg/L and 1.17-18.04 mg/L for females. The mean concentration of vitamin B<sub>12</sub> in the blood of males was 938.45 ng/L (95% CI 747.22-1129.68) and that of females was 864.03 ng/L (95% CI 603.81-1124.25). The reference interval for vitamin B<sub>12</sub> was 233.03-1597.00 ng/L in men and 132.45-1623.86 ng/L in women. The mean level of vitamin B<sub>9</sub> was 8.47 ng/mL (95% CI 5.64-11.30) for men and 6.91 ng/mL (95% CI 4.89-8.93) for women. The calculated reference interval for this vitamin in males was 1.04-24.74 ng/mL and that in females was 1.04-21.46 ng/mL. As for vitamin B<sub>6</sub>, the mean concentration for men was 44.42 ng/mL (95% CI 37.01-51.83) and for women was 34.67 ng/mL (95% CI 29.97-39.39) with the reference intervals of 5.90-79.02 ng/mL for men and 5.27-61.72 ng/mL for women. @*Conclusion@#The reference values for vitamins B<sub>6</sub>, B<sub>9</sub>, B<sub>12</sub> and vitamin C of Mongolian adults do not differ significantly from those observed in other populations. The calculated reference intervals can be used in the practice of health laboratories.
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Introduction@#The high rate of malnutrition in young children remains a serious public health issue. Intervention strategies aimed to rectify this situation have succeeded in reducing anaemia, with levels falling to 28.5%. Even so, anaemia levels are still unacceptably high, especially among infants aged 6 to 24 months. @*Goal@#The aim of this survey was to investigate the prevalence of anaemia and iron and folate deficiencies that may contribute to the relatively high rates of anaemia among children aged 6 to 36 months. @*Subjects and methods@#This study involved 243 apparently healthy children (122 boys, 121 girls) from Ulaanbaatar city and Bulgan, Bayankhongor, Dornod and Khovd aimags aged 6 to 36 months with no evidence of infection within the previous 7 days. Ethical approval of the study was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of the Mongolian Ministry of Health. Written informed consents were obtained from the guardians of each child. </br> Morning, non-fasting venipuncture blood samples were used for the determination of the levels of hemoglobin by the hemoglobinometer, of ferritin by the microparticle enzyme immunoassays technology and of folate by the microtiter technique. </br> The statistical analysis of test results was carried out using SPSS program, with a p-value <0.05 indicating statistical significance. @*Results@#The mean hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations were the highest in the oldest children (i.e., 24 to 36 months). The mean values for hemoglobin were higher in the participants from Ulaanbaatar, whereas the ferritin levels were higher in their counterparts from the rural settings. </br> Overall, 24% of the children were anaemic. Anaemia prevalence was greater among the children in the rural area than in Ulaanbaatar. The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was 15%, and unlike anaemia, was independent of setting. The oldest children aged 24 to 36 months had the lowest prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in both Ulaanbaatar and the rural area. </br> The mean serum folate concentration was 19.9 nmol/L. The concentrations decreased with age in both settings, although the mean values in Ulaanbaatar were significantly higher for each age group than those for the rural settings. Only 4% of the children had folate deficiency. None of the participants in Ulaanbaatar had low serum folate concentrations. In the rural settings, the oldest children had the highest prevalence of folate deficiency. @*Conclusion@#The prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia is high among children aged 6 to 36 months. This finding emphasizes the necessity for programs that supply young children and their mothers with micronutrients such as iron and folate.
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Background@#We set the average value and reference range of blood plasma proteins (total protein, albumin, transferrin, retinol binding protein, prealbumin) to be used to assess the nutritional status of Mongolian adult. According to step by step research methodology, 170 women, 170 men and a total of 340 people were surveyed using a combination of questionnaires and analytic methods. @*Methods@#The total protein and albumin content of the collected samples was analyzed by colorimetric method using “Humalyzer 2000” semi automatic analyzer and prealbumin, transferring and retinol binding protein was analyzed by ELISA method of “ELX 880”. The lower limit of the reference value of the identified parameters was calculated to be 2.5 per centil and the upper limit was 97.5 per centil.@*Results@#Determining average and reference range of proteins in the plasma of a total 340 participants, the average of total protein was 74.54(CI 95%; 72.67-76.38) g/l for men, and 73.59(CI 95%; 72.39-74.79) g/l for women, while the reference range was 55.26-95.79 g/l for men and 58.38-84.72 g/l for women. According to determined above, there is no statistically significant difference in gender (p>0.40). The average albumin level is 48.20(CI 95%; 47.04-49.36) g/l for men and 46.28(CI 95%; 45.32-47.24) g/l for women, while reference range is 37.14-60.01 g/l for men and 34.97-57.60 g/l for women. It means there is a statistically significant difference for the gender (p=0.012). The average prealbum level is 332.43(CI 95%; 311.28-353.58) mg/l for men, 381.67(CI 95%; 360.98-402.36) mg/l for women, while reference range is 171.3-485.0 mg/l for men and 215.5-535.0 mg/l for women. It means there is a statistically significant difference for the gender (p=0.0012). The average range of transferrin 4.01(CI 95%; 3.76-4.26) g/l for men and 4.43(CI 95%; 4.20-4.66) g/l for women while reference range is 2.20-6.92 g/l for men and 2.58-7.05 g/l for women, is a statistically significant difference for the gender (p=0.017). The average level of retinol binding protein is 1.73(CI 95%; 1.61-1.85) μmol/l for men and 2.01(CI 95%; 1.89-2.13) μmol/l for women, while reference range is 0.73-3.08 μmol/l for men and 0.73-3.08 μmol/l for women, is a statistically significant difference for the gender (p=0.0017). @*Conclusions@#For the first time we conducted a study to determine the average amount and reference range of proteins needed to assess the nutritional status of adults (total protein, albumin, prealbumin, transferring, retinol binding protein) according to international standard methods, which is relatively high compared to other researchers. According to the result of the study, it is not possible to directly follow the result of researchers from other countries and the reference range of blood proteins directly to Mongolians. The result of this study has become an important innovation in practice and treatment, as medical professionals have been able to use it in their diagnosis and treatment.
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Background@#Reference values are very important for the clinical decisions in laboratory diagnosis and clinical management of patients.@*Method@#A total of 340 adults (apparently healthy individuals) between 18 to 70 years resident in the Ulaanbaatar city were randomly selected and enrolled in this survey. 340 adults made up of 170 males, 170 females were assessed by a clinician to be healthy. About 5 ml of blood was collected with EDTA test tube and analyzed using automated analyser to enumerate the hematological parameters (red blood cell, white blood cell, hemoglobin and haematocrit). Reference values were determined at 2.5<sup>th</sup> and 97.5<sup>th</sup> percentiles.@*Results@#Reference values estabilished include: red blood cell 4.69-6.04×1012/L, white blood cell 3.98-9.11×109/L, haemoglobin 145-176 g/L, haematocrit 42.6-52.9% for males and red blood cell 4.10-5.20×1012/L, white blood cell 3.50-9.08×109/L, haemoglobin 121.8-148.2 g/L, haematocrit 36-44.7% for females.@*Conclusion@#We were determined mean and reference range of haematological parameters (red blood cell, white blood cell, haemoglobin, haemotocrit) which are important for assessing the nutritional status of adults according to the international standard methodology. The international reference range shows that white blood cells counts do not indicate gender and our data (р=0.0964 are statistically insignificant) also offers no significant difference was found between samples for male and female subjects.
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Background@#Minerals are important for the proper body functioning. They also play a role in preventing and fighting diseases. Reference values for minerals help physicians evaluate the mineral status of patients and make clinical decisions. The aim of this study was to determine the mean values and reference intervals for some minerals to be used for evaluation of the nutrition status of Mongolians.@*Materials and Methods@#Two hundred and forty healthy adults (120 males and 120 females) of 17 to 70 years of age were selected for the study based on CLSI C28-P3 criteria Defining, establishing & Verifying reference interval in the clinical laboratory; Proposed Guidelines. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Ministry of Health of Mongolia. Informed consents were taken from the selected individuals. Morning blood samples of the participants were collected under aseptic conditions. Levels of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The lower and upper reference limits were defined as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles, respectively. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel programs. @*Results@#The mean level of blood iron was 30.50 µmol/L (95% CI 29.71-31.29) for men and 30.91 µmol/L (95% CI 30.03-31.79) for women. The calculated reference interval for males was 21.39-37.72 µmol/L and 19.87-39.67 µmol/L for females. The mean concentration of zinc in the blood of males was 11.00 µmol/L (95% CI 10.69-11.31) and that of females was 11.79 µmol/L (95% CI 11.39-12.19). The reference interval for blood zinc was 8.20-14.92 µmol/L in men and 8.52-16.67 µmol/L in women. The mean level of blood copper was 15.28 µmol/L (95% CI 14.64-15.89) for men and 18.08 µmol/L (95% CI 17.30-18.86) for women. The calculated reference interval for copper in males was 9.72-22.34 µmol/L and that in females was 11.18-27.27 µmol/L.@*Conclusion@#The reference values for zinc, copper and iron of Mongolian adults do not differ significantly from those observed in other countries. The calculated reference intervals can be used for evaluation of the nutrition status and making clinical decisions.
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Background@#The main service of medical laboratories is provision of test results. The test results and other patient data are kept in either electronic system or paper-based systems or both. We assessed the current status of the use of information management system by medical laboratories in Mongolia. @*Methods@#Twenty four laboratories of health organizations representing government and private sectors as well as urban and rural locations were included in the survey. The assessment was carried out using a questionnaire based on MNS ISO 15189:2015 requirements.@*Results@#Out of the twenty four participant laboratories 54.2% (12) recorded the test results both in a workbook and in an electronic database, and 12.5% logged the results to the electronic database only. All patient data kept in the electronic system were protected, but the data protection was difficult to implement for paper-based records. Servers of the electronic information management system provided a long-time guaranteed back-up for patient results and enabled data retrieval for the analysis. 68.8% (16) of the laboratories used an information management system called E-health supported by the Ministry of Health. @*Conclusion@#Electronic information management system is widely implemented in medical laboratories but it needs further development and broader involvement of laboratories of all levels.
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Background@#The past decade has seen an increasing involvement of private for-profit medical laboratories in the national healthcare provision. But the majority of patients still use services of public hospital laboratories. @*Goal@#The goal of the survey was to assess the status of private and public medical laboratories based on ISO 15189 requirements.@*Method@#The overall capacity of seven private and seven public laboratories was assessed using a questionnaire based on ten main requirements of ISO 15189.@*Results@#In general, the public laboratories scored better that the private laboratories but the difference was not significant (79 points for public laboratories vs. 72 points for private laboratories; p=0.115). The main differences were in the areas of equipment management (82 points for private vs. 92 points for public; p=0.025) and testing performances (77 points for private vs. 91 points for public; p=0.006). Out of the remaining eight assessment sections, the private laboratories scored better, but not significantly, in the areas of laboratory management and laboratory information system.
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Background@#It was first proposed by Harris that the constant elevated excretion of beta-aminoisobutyric acid (β-AIB) by some healthy individuals, so called high excretors, is determined by an autosomal recessive gene. Several studies of the variability of β-AIB excretion have been conducted, but they failed to show that the distribution of the variation in β-AIB excretion was bimodal. Most of these studies have been carried out on Caucasoid populations which are not suitable material for proving the bimodality since they have a very low proportion of high excretors of β-AIB. A genetically conditioned high excretion of β-AIB has been detected in 2-8% of Caucasoids and in 35-65% of healthy adults of Mongoloid descent.@*Materials and method@#The study of the distribution of the β-AIB concentration involved 319 unrelated subjects (166 adults and 153 children), and the testing of the hypothesis of autosomal recessive inheritance included the data on 15 complete families. The urinary level of β-AIB was determined using a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). @*Results@#The distribution of urinary concentrations of β-AIB of the surveyed show the bimodality with the antimode at 4.5 (=ln 90.02 mmol of β-AIB/mol creatinine) for adults and at 5,5 (=ln 244,69 mmol/mol creat.) for children. The frequency of high-excretors among adults was 0.706 and that among children was 0.716. The testing of the hypothesis of autosomal recessive inheritance of the elevated excretion of β-AIB showed an absence of a significant difference between observed and theoretical numbers.@*Conclusions@#</br> 1. Bimodal distribution of urinary β-AIB concentration was demonstrated in the Mongolian population, with the frequency of high excretors being 0.706 and the gene frequency being 0.84. </br> 2. Results of the family study were consistent with the hypothesis of autosomal recessive inheritance, high excretors being homozygous for the recessive allele.
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Background@#Poor laboratory quality can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of patients. To demonstrate the quality and reliability of their services, medical laboratories seek accreditation to ISO 15189. We have initiated a project to assist laboratories in their efforts to obtain the accreditation. @*Goal@#Conduct a gap analysis of the status of preparedness of medical laboratories for accreditation.@*Materials and Methods@#Six laboratories are selected for participation in the project. In the first phase of the project, a gap analysis of the participant laboratories is conducted using an Excel program based on ISO 15189 requirements.@*Results@#The findings reveal that the participant laboratories are the strongest in Organization and management of laboratory, Quality of examination results, Personnel and facility management and in Laboratory information management. The majority of the laboratories are hospital based, and their organization and management are well established and functional mostly due to centralized administrative guidance. The concept of quality control is effectively adapted in medical laboratories, therefore ensuring the quality of examinations and the data management are usually in line with the requirements. Weaker areas include Evaluation and audits, and Document control. Even though the laboratories do conduct evaluations and control, they do not do it regularly and, most importantly, do not keep records routinely, which cause the higher gap rate.@*Conclusion@#Policies to meet ISO 15189 requirements are in place in the participant laboratories, but their documentation and records keeping are insufficient.
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Background@#Iodine is a micronutrient essential for mental and physical development. One of ways to prevent from iodine deficiency is sufficient intake of iodine with food. The WHO approved method for assessment of the population’s iodine status is measurement of the concentration of iodine in urine.@*Goal@#The goal of the survey was to assess the iodine status in 6-11 years old children and pregnant women.@*Materials and Method@#1697 children of 6-11 years of age and 900 pregnant women were selected from 21 aimags and Ulaanbaatar city. Concentrations of iodine in their urine were determined using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction method.@*Results@#The median amount of urinary iodine in 6-11-year-old children was 143.45 µg/L which was within the WHO recommended range (100.0-199.9 µg/L). 31.82% of the surveyed children had their urinary iodine less than 100 µg/L which indicated a risk of iodine deficiency. The highest frequency of children with urinary iodine less than 100 µg/L was observed in western regions (53.9%) and the lowest percentage was observed in eastern regions (17.8%).</br> The median concentration of urinary iodine in pregnant women was 111.35 100 µg/L which was lower than the WHO recommended value (≥150 µg/L). The median amount of urinary iodine was 127.81 µg/L for the women in Ulaanbaatar city and for those in rural areas was 108 µg/L. The overall percentage of the women with low urinary iodine was 64.1%. @*Conclusions@#</br> 1. The median urinary iodine concentration in 6-11 years old children is within the WHO recommended range, whereas the median concentration in pregnant women is lower than the WHO recommended value. </br> 2. 31.8% of the surveyed children and 64.1% of the pregnant women are at risk of iodine deficiency. </br> 3. The frequency of iodine deficiency is highest in western region and is lowest in eastern and central regions.
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Justification@#Iodine is a micronutrient essential for human health. 92% of the required iodine human organism obtains with food. One of methods to supply the required amount of iodine is the use of iodised salt. The overall goal of our study was to determine the actual consumption of iodised salt by households. @*Materials and Methods@#Samples of salt consumed by 20173 households from five regions (Western, Mountainous, Central, Eastern regions and Ulaanbaatar city) of Mongolia were collected and their iodine contents were determined according to MNS 5168:2002.@*Results@#Out of the total analyzed salt samples, 19.1 % were non-iodised, 2.8% had low iodine content, 77.5% had appropriate level of iodine and 0.6% had high level of iodine.</br> When the salt iodine contents were evaluated by the country regions, it was revealed that the households in Western (31.4%) and Mountainous (20.57%) regions consumed salt that was not iodised. 84.5% of the Ulaanbaatar city households consumed salt with appropriate level of iodine.@*Conclusions@#</br> 1. 19.1 % of the surveyed households consume non-iodised salt, 2.8% consume salt with low iodine content, 77.5% consume salt with appropriate level of iodine and 0.6% consume salt with high level of iodine.</br> 2. The iodine level is appropriate in 84.5% of salt consumed by Ulaanbaatar city households.
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Background@#Iodine deficiency may result in a goiter, developmental delays and other health problems. The simplest way for the iodine deficiency prevention is consumption of iodine-rich food products. In our country, the iodine consumption is supported by edible salt iodization. Human organism excretes 80% of iodine with urine, therefore the urinary iodine level is considered as an indicator for the iodine status of an individual.@*Goal@#The goal of our study was to evaluate a correlation between the levels of iodine in salt and in urine.@*Materials and Methods@#2173 samples of household salt and urine samples of 1697 school-age children were collected covering 20 aimags and Ulaanbaatar city. Levels of iodine in the salt samples were determined using a titration method, and for the determination of iodine concentrations in urine the SandellKolthoff’s reaction was used. The correlation between two sets of values was assessed with Pearson’s correlation coefficient.@*Results@#The sample collection was organized so that the aimags were divided into 6 to 8 clusters, each cluster comprising 12 to 15 households or children. Therefore, average values of the iodine concentrations in salt and urine of each cluster were used for the correlation assessment. The result of the statistical analysis showed a high variation in correlation between salt iodine and urinary iodine at the aimag level, but the overall correlation at the country level was strong positive (r=0.7).@*Conclusion@#The hypothesis that the correlation between the iodine amount excreted by children from a certain location and the level of iodine in salt consumed by households in the same location is strong, was not confirmed at the aimag level, but the correlation was strong positive at the country level.
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Background@#Screening programs for the detection of inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism is mandatory in most countries. Various laboratory methods are used for this purpose. We tested a high-performance liquid chromatography method for the separation of amino acids in blood and urine samples. @*Materials and Methods@#All reagents were of the HPLC grade purity,water used for t he analysis was deionized and reagents and samples were ultrafiltrated using a micropartition system.</br> The analysis was performed using the HPLC system with two pumps, a C18 column and a UV detector. All evaporations were done using a vacuum concentrator.</br> Amino acids were derivatized using a solution of ethanol, water, triethylamine and phenyl isothiocyanate. The amino acid derivatives were separated using a linear gradient with two solvents: solvent A (sodium acetate : acetonitrile) and solvent B (water : acetonitrile). </br> Amino acid standards of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 750 and 1000 µM were prepared in 1 mM hydrochloric acid. </br> The EDTA blood as well as urine samples were spun at 1500 g for 15 min and then ultracentrifuged at 1500 g for 30 min.@*Results@#Experiments with various chromatographic conditions showed that factors which influenced the amino acids separation were the type of columns, mobile phase composition, flow-rate, gradient programs and timings.</br> After studying the effects of changes in individual parameters of chromatographic conditions, the following method parameters were chosen: pre-column derivatization agent –PITC, separation column – C18, mobile phase –solvent A: sodium acetate : acetonitrile (98:2) and solvent B: water : acetonitrile (40:60), gradient – linear, flow-rate – 1.2 mL/min. With this method 22 amino acids were separated within 35 minutes.@*Conclusion@#The developed method is simple and can be used by medical laboratories for the detection of inborn errors of amino acid metabolism.
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Background:Quality of hospital meals must meet the needs of patients, have a positive effect on disease treatment, and contain nutrients and calorie that fully meet physiological requirements.Goal:We aimed to determine the levels of basic nutrients and the content of calorie in patient meals of public and private hospitals, and evaluate their compliance with policy requirements.Material and Methods:Eighty nine meals for in-patients of three public and three private hospitals were analyzed for the content of protein, fat, carbohydrates, salt and calorie.Results:Analysis results revealed that 100 gr of in-patient meals contained on average 31.97 g of solids, 7.53 g of protein, 17.84 g of carbohydrates, 5.95 g of fat and 155.41 kcal of calorie. The mean level of salt in hospital meals was 2.73 mg/g which was within the WHO recommended range.Conclusions:1. The ratio of nutrients in hospital meals is inappropriate.2. Hospitals should quarterly monitor the levels of nutrients in in-patient meals, and serve meals prepared in view of the analyses results.
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Background:The prevalence of rickets is high among Mongolian children. The disease can be prevented by sufficient intake of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, and is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of vitamin D status. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of 25(OH)D in serum samples of small children and evaluate their vitamin D status.Materials and Methods:The concentrations of 25(OH)D were determined in serum samples of 98 children (54 male and 44 female) 6-36 months of age using a 2-step radioimmuno assay procedure. Vitamin D defciency was defned as 25(OH)D < 25nmol/L.Results:The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 29.00 nmol/L with no statistically signifcant differences between boys and girls, age groups and children from rural and urban areas. The vitamin D defciency among the surveyed children was 61.2%. The defciency was higher among children from Ulaanbaatar city (65.7% vs 51.9% in rural areas) and in boys (66.7% vs 55.8% in girls).Conclusion:The high level of vitamin D deficiency indicates that there is a need to promote the expansion of the coverage of vitamin D supplements among young children.
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Background: The prevalence of rickets is high among Mongolian children. The disease can be prevented by sufficient intake of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, and is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of vitamin D status. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of 25(OH)D in serum samples of small children and evaluate their vitamin D status. Materials and Methods: The concentrations of 25(OH)D were determined in serum samples of 98 children (54 male and 44 female) 6-36 months of age using a 2-step radioimmuno assay procedure. Vitamin D defciency was defned as 25(OH)D < 25nmol/L. Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 29.00 nmol/L with no statistically signifcant differences between boys and girls, age groups and children from rural and urban areas. The vitamin D defciency among the surveyed children was 61.2%. The defciency was higher among children from Ulaanbaatar city (65.7% vs 51.9% in rural areas) and in boys (66.7% vs 55.8% in girls). Conclusion: The high level of vitamin D deficiency indicates that there is a need to promote the expansion of the coverage of vitamin D supplements among young children.
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Introduction@#Oligophrenia makes 7.3% of all mental disorders in our country. It is known that almost 4% of all diagnosed cases of oligophrenia developed as a result of an inherited disturbance of amino acid metabolism. In most countries, the frequencies of inherited diseases of amino acid metabolism in the population are determined, and preventive screening programs of newborns are implemented. No study has been conducted so far into the issue of inherited diseases of amino acid metabolism in the Mongolian population. The goal of our survey was to detect inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism in the population at risk. @*Materials and Methods@#The collection of samples and the laboratory analysis were carried out in the following two stages: </br>1. The screening analysis of 514 individuals diagnosed with mental retardation was performed by paper chromatography; </br>2. The positivecases detected by the screening were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. @*Results@#The screening testing detected twelve potential disturbances of amino acid metabolism. Out of the twelve positive cases four individuals refused to participate in the confirmatory stage of the survey. Among the remained eight individuals, cases of hypertyrosinemia, hypervalinemia, hyperglycinemia, hyperlysinemia and pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy were detected. @*Conclusions@#</br>1. The fact that cases of inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism were detected among mentally retarded individuals show that the disorder is one of causes of oligophrenia. </br>2. A screening program of newborns should be implemented for early detection of inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism. </br>3. A genetic counselling and testing centre could assist in reduction of number of individuals with inherited disorders.
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Background:Selenium (Se) is a trace element important for health. Its defciency has adverse effects on reproduction, immunocompetence and cardiovascular status. There is growing evidence that higher Se intakes are associated with reduced cancer risk. To date, there have been no studies conducted on the Se status of Mongolian children. Materials and Methods Non-fasting morning blood samples were collected from 240 children (122 male and 118 female) 6-36 months of age from the capital city of Mongolia and four provinces located in the south, north, east and west of the country. Inclusion criteria were apparently healthy children with no evidence of infection within the previous 7 days. The serum concentrations of Se were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.Results:The mean serum Se concentration was 0.79 µmol/L. The indicator was higher for children in the rural provinces compared to those who lived in the capital city (0.81 µmol/L vs. 0.76 µmol/L, p=0.029). There was no statistically signifcant difference in the levels of Se detected between boys and girls (0.79 µmol/Lvs. 0.78 µmol/L, p=0.551). The serum concentration of Se increased with age (0.73µmol/L in the 6-11.9 months age group, 0.79 µmol/L in children aged 12-23.9 months and 0.82 µmol/L in 24-36-month-old participants). The prevalence of low serum Se in the surveyed population (<0.82 μmol/L) was 55.8%. The Se defciency tends to decrease with age (63.8% in the 6-11.9 months age group, 57.6% in participants 12-23.9 months of age and 48.2% in the oldest group). The prevalence of Se defciency is lower among children living in the western regions (38.3%) than among those from other areas of the country (60.4%).Conclusion:The high prevalence of Se defciency among Mongolian children shows that a wider survey that looks at the relationship between the blood Se and its concentrations in food and soil is needed.
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Background: Selenium (Se) is a trace element important for health. Its defciency has adverse effects on reproduction, immunocompetence and cardiovascular status. There is growing evidence that higher Se intakes are associated with reduced cancer risk. To date, there have been no studies conducted on the Se status of Mongolian children. Materials and Methods Non-fasting morning blood samples were collected from 240 children (122 male and 118 female) 6-36 months of age from the capital city of Mongolia and four provinces located in the south, north, east and west of the country. Inclusion criteria were apparently healthy children with no evidence of infection within the previous 7 days. The serum concentrations of Se were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The mean serum Se concentration was 0.79 µmol/L. The indicator was higher for children in the rural provinces compared to those who lived in the capital city (0.81 µmol/L vs. 0.76 µmol/L, p=0.029). There was no statistically signifcant difference in the levels of Se detected between boys and girls (0.79 µmol/Lvs. 0.78 µmol/L, p=0.551). The serum concentration of Se increased with age (0.73µmol/L in the 6-11.9 months age group, 0.79 µmol/L in children aged 12-23.9 months and 0.82 µmol/L in 24-36-month-old participants). The prevalence of low serum Se in the surveyed population (<0.82 μmol/L) was 55.8%. The Se defciency tends to decrease with age (63.8% in the 6-11.9 months age group, 57.6% in participants 12-23.9 months of age and 48.2% in the oldest group). The prevalence of Se defciency is lower among children living in the western regions (38.3%) than among those from other areas of the country (60.4%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of Se defciency among Mongolian children shows that a wider survey that looks at the relationship between the blood Se and its concentrations in food and soil is needed.
ABSTRACT
Background:One of the soil pollution assessment criterions is bacterial contamination. Soil bacterial contamination has negative impact on water, air, food stuff, human health as well as soil biological activity and soil purification process. The soil of populated area is contaminated by animal and human solid and liquid wastes, dead plants and industrial and household drainage water. Soil becomes a source harboring and transmitting pathogens due to the fact that pathogens are transmitted to the soil by the wastes of patients, human and animal corpses (dead bodies) died of infectious diseases, plants and water. Since it is difficult to detect pathogens from outside environment, the level of soil bacterial contamination is determined by the way of detecting medically important group of bacteria such as E.coli, Cl.perfringens, Proteus and thermophilic bacteria. Aim:Our survey objective is to determine level of soil contamination of Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet, Darkhan city’s by using microbiological method. Results and Discussion:1.Microbiological characteristics of soil bacterial quantitative assessment of the cities surveyed in Ulaanbaatar, all soil samples, Darkhan city, 72.2% and Erdenet, 54.5% belong to higher contamination levels. In 2009, Ulaanbaatar the result of E.coli titer 0.004, anaerobic titer 0,001 and thermophilic bacterial number 28,8 x10 c/g revealed.2.Compared to the average Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan city colon E.coli average titer of 1.25 times and anaerobic-titer 2 times and thermophilic bacteria was less than 1.6 times the number of a city for these parameters 1.5 times and 2 times and 1.5 timesis low.