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.

Introduction Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) are the principal enzymes involved in catabolism of ethanol in human body. Alcohol is initially metabolized by ADH to acetaldehyde, which is consequently oxidized by ALDH to acetic acid. Individuals with low activity of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes show low tolerance to alcohol and are therefore rapidly intoxicated. Two studies on polymorphism of alcohol metabolizing enzyme genes in Mongolian population have been implemented to the date, but no assessment study of the serum activity of the enzymes have been conducted. Materials and Methods Fasting morning blood samples were collected from 240 adults 25-54 years of age (124 males and 118 females) from all provinces and the capital city of Mongolia. The serum levels of ADH and ALDH were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result: The mean serum level of ADH was 17.6 ng/mL and of ALDH was 15.91 ng/mL. The mean levels of the two enzymes of the surveyed from UB city were significantly lower than of those who lived in rural areas (p=0.000 for both ADH and ALDH). When the survey participants were divided into three age groups (25-34 years, 35-44 years and 45-54 years of age) and their mean levels of ADH and ALDH were compared, no significant age-related differences were found (p>0.05).

Goal: To determine average values of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipid cholesterol and low density lipid cholesterol of Mongolian adults, and compare the average values by age groups, gender and regions. Materials and Methods: Serum was separated from morning blood samples collected from 1737 individuals 15-64 years of age (707 males and 1030 females) from 21 aimags and Ulaanbaatar city, and stored at-30°C until analysis. Mean levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL were determined using photometric system. Results: The overall mean serum level of cholesterol was 159.06 mg/dl (95% CI 155.58-162.53), of triglycerides was 121.65 mg/dl (95% CI 116.77-126.53), of HDL was 61.12 mg/dl (95% CI 59.77-62.47), and of LDL was 130.53 mg/dl (95% CI 128.26-132.80). When the survey participants were divided into five age groups (15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years of age) and their mean levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL were compared, no statistically significant differences were observed between age groups. When the mean levels of lipids were compared between sexes, statistically significant differences were observed for cholesterol and triglycerides, and no statistically significant differences were observed for HDl and LDL.

The serum activity levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are important biochemical indicators of changes in the liver and coronary system function. The correct determination of changes in the activity levels of the transferases is essential for differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the diseases. Goal: The aim of this study was to determine the mean activity levels of ALT and AST of the Mongolian population. Materials and Methods: Serum was separated from morning blood samples collected from 1732 individuals 15-64 years of age (706 males, 1026 females) from 21 aimags and Ulaanbaatar city, and stored at -30°C until analysis. Ac¬tivity levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were determined using photometric system. Results: The overall mean serum activity level of AST was 25.52 U/L and of ALT was 21.31 U/L. No statistically sig¬nificant differences were observed between the surveyed from Ulaanbaatar and from rural area, but the mean activity level of both enzymes was statistically significantly lower in women than in men (р<0.05 for both ALT and AST). When the survey participants were divided into five age groups (15-24 years, 25-34 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years and 55-64 years of age) and their mean activity levels of AST and ALT were compared, it was observed that the activity of both enzymes increased with age (p<0.05).

The serum activity levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are important biochemical indicators of changes in the liver and coronary system function. The correct determination of changes in the activity levels of the transferases is essential for differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the diseases. Goal: The aim of this study was to determine the mean activity levels of ALT and AST of the Mongolian population. Materials and Methods: Serum was separated from morning blood samples collected from 1732 individuals 15-64 years of age (706 males, 1026 females) from 21 aimags and Ulaanbaatar city, and stored at -30°C until analysis. Activity levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were determined using photometric system. Results: The overall mean serum activity level of AST was 25.52 U/L and of ALT was 22.60 U/L. No statistically significant differences were observed between the surveyed from Ulaanbaatar and from rural area as well as between sexes (p>0.05 for both ALT and AST). When the survey participants were divided into five age groups (15-24 years, 25-34 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years and 55-64 years of age) and their mean activity levels of AST and ALT were compared, it was observed that the activity of both enzymes increased with age (p<0.05)

Background: The “School Lunch” program was initiated by the Government of Mongolia in 2006. The purpose of our study was to assess nutritious values of the meals and food products being given to pupils of general education schools in the frame of the program. Materials and methods: Nutritious values of 32 samples of school canteen meals and food products of 5 general education schools were determined using chemical analysis methods. Results: The average calorie content of the analyzed meals was 181.07-271.08 kcal, and the average content of vitamin C was 0.28-0.84 mg/g. The energy value of bakery products was high (110.97-436.23kcal) whereas their vitamin C content was low (0.34 mg/g). The calorie content in dairy products was reasonably high (46.17-52.85kcal), and the average level of calcium was 95.84-103.1mg/g, of iron was 0.7-1.7mg/g and of vitamin C was 0.28-0.84 mg/g. Conclusions
1.The study results highlight the necessity of broadening the variety of food products given to schoolchildren in the frame of the “Lunch” program.
2.Fruits and vegetables, the main source of minerals and vitamins, make a small percentage of the food products given to school children, and bakery products rich of calorie prevail in the menu.

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.
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
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.
2. The iodine level is appropriate in 84.5% of salt consumed by Ulaanbaatar city households.

Background:In the scope of the “School Lunch” program initiated by the Government of Mongolia, pupils of primary schools are served with meals prepared in school canteens and food products provided by food manufacturers. The safety of the provided food products must be monitored and evaluated. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety of the meals and food products being given to pupils in the frame of the above program.Materials and methods:Nutritious values and safety of 31 samples of school canteen meals and food products of 5 general education schools were determined using microbiological analysis methods based on Mongolian national standards. Results:The analysis results revealed that the total number of microbes in canteen meals fluctuated between 1х102 and 4х102, and no pathogens were detected in the analyzed samples. The quality of all pastry products met the Mongolian standard hygiene requirements. The variation of the total number of microbes in dairy products was 2х105 -4х105, and no pathogens were found in dairy products.Conclusion:Microbiological analyses show that the food products supplied by the contractual companies in the frame of “Lunch” program and meals from the school canteens meet Mongolian hygiene requirements.

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.
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.
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).
Amino acid standards of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 750 and 1000 µM were prepared in 1 mM hydrochloric acid.
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.
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.

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.