Background: Numerous studies among the western population have been demonstrated that the intolerance of uncertainty can cause mental disorders such as OCD, anxiety disorder major depressive disorder. The lack of research in this field among the eastern population, especially the Mongolians, is the basis of our study. Material and Methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional study with a self-report questionnaire and conducted between December 5th and February 5th of 2022. The Intolerance of Uncertainty scale (IUS-12) is for measuring intolerance of uncertainty, Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) were used to measuring mental health among study participants. The present study was undertaken following ethical approval from the MNUMS scientific research ethics committee (approval number: 2021/3-06). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Purpose: The current study was aimed to explore the impact of intolerance of uncertainty on students’ mental health. Results: Total of 3137 students (2440 Chinese, 697 Mongolian), 65.7% of them were female students participated in the current study. The mean score of IUS-12 was 33.53±7.72 among Chinese students, while 38.65±8.48 among Mongolians. This reveals the statistically significant (p=0.003) difference intolerance level between Chinese and Mongolian students. Moreover, Chinese students were less depressed and less anxious than Mongolian students. The anxiety and depression level was directly impacted by the influence of intolerance of uncertainty. Conclusion Chinese students are more tolerant toward uncertainties than Mongolian students. The intolerance of uncertainty causes depression and anxiety, regardless of nationality.

Introduction: Humans are exposed to aflatoxins by consuming foods contaminated with products of fungal growth. Aflatoxin is associated with both acute and chronic toxicity in humans including acute liver damage, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancers. The risk of liver cancer in individuals exposed to chronic HBV infection and aflatoxin is up to 30 times greater than the risk in individuals exposed to aflatoxin (Groopman JD, Kensler TW, Wild CP, 2008). Thus, we aimed to assess the awareness regarding aflatoxins in individuals exposed to B virus infection. Goal: To assess the knowledge regarding aflatoxin for individuals exposed to B virus infection. Materials and Methods: In order to study the knowledge of subjects exposed to B virus infection regarding aflatoxins, information from 308 individuals who agreed to participate in this survey was collected through by 11 different questions, and data analysis taken in 308 subjects’ information. Result: In the total subjects studied, 175 were female and 133 were male. One and three percent of the participants had no formal schooling, 8.8% completed college, 53.3% had a secondary education, 36.6% had university education level.
By the results, 88.4% out of 309 individuals had no head about aflatoxin. All 309 individuals had answered to the questions “What are the aflatoxins“. Eighty three and nine percent out of 309 individuals said did not know. Also they answered to the questions “How is aflatoxin produces“. Eighty and three percent out of 305 individuals said did not know. Also, 291 participants answered to the questions “Does it produce in foods“. Fifty one and sex percent said “No”. Furthermore, 296 participants had answered to the questions “Does it produce in grain foods“. Fifty three and seven percent said did not know. Also, all of 303 participants answered to the questions “How is aflatoxin harmful to human health“. Seventy one and sex percent said did not know. Conclusion Findings of this survey indicated that the awareness regarding aflatoxin was poor and inadequate in studied individuals. Therefore, this survey results shows that the importance on the raising the awareness of aflatoxin in individuals exposed to B virus infection.

Afl atoxins are a type of mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus species of fungi, such as A. fl avus andA.parasiticus. Afl atoxins are the most potent hepatocarcinogen and mutagen among mycotoxins.Afl atoxins can effects a wide range of commodities, including crops, cereals, peanuts, maize, beans,and milk and fruits. Thus, we carried out a monitoring surveillance survey on the afl atoxins level in somefood commodities. In early stage of this survey we tested a total of 112 samples of foods including fl our,rice, peanuts, maize, dried fruits, milk, and cereals. According to the preliminary results of this survey,59 (52.7%) samples of foods including fl our, rice, peanuts, maize, dried fruits, milk, and cereals’ sampleswere positive for a total afl atoxins (AFB1+AFB2+AFG1+AFG2). Although levels of total afl atoxins in allsamples were at permissible limits by the commission regulation of EU, the strategies for the preventionand control of mycotoxin are required in Public health system and Agricultural organization in Mongolia.Since afl atoxins is the most well-known mycotoxin ever thoroughly studied and its prevention and controlhas been most successfully practiced in various countries, therefore, this paper will focus on the strategyfor the prevention and control of afl atoxins’s mycotoxin contamination food in Mongolia.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven district of the capital city Ulaanbaatar ofMongolia, and border post in Zamiin-Uud, and Altanbulag province from March to December 2015.A total of 380 samples including 70 flours, 114 rice’, 41 various peanuts, 15 maize and maizeproducts, 24 milks, 6 yoghurts, 39 beers, 27 dried fruits and 44 herbal teas were randomly collectedfrom supermarkets, hypermarkets, department stores, factories, and bazaars in Ulaanbaatar city,and Zamiin-Uud, and Altanbulag province.HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)were used for the total aflatoxins (B1+B2) and aflatoxin M1 detection.The survey found that (148) 38.9% of all analysed food samples were contained aflatoxins (B1+B2),and aflatoxin M1 were ranging from 0.0094 μg kg-1to 2.4μg kg-1. The levels of aflatoxins (B1+B2)were below the maximum tolerance limit in EU and worldwide regulations. Mean concentrationlevel of aflatoxins (B1+B2) was 0.17 μg kg-1 in all positive samples. Mean daily low and high foodintake were respectively, 63 g and 245 g. Based on the daily food consumption data, estimatedexposure dose of aflatoxins (B1+B2) was 0.16734 mg kg-1bw day-1 in individuals with a daily low foodintake, and 0.65078 mg kg-1bw day-1 in individuals with a daily high food intake (95th percentile). Theexposure dose of aflatoxins from daily high food intake exceeds the estimated provisional maximumtolerable daily intakes, 0.4 μg kg-1 body weight day-1 for adults with hepatitis B (Kuiper-Goodman,1998). Furthermore, estimated excess cancer risk values to liver cancer incidence by ingestion ofthese foods for aflatoxins (B1+B2) and aflatoxin M1were calculated to be 0.0448 mg kg-1bw day-1forindividuals negative for hepatitis Band 1.344 mg kg-1bw day-1 for individuals positive for hepatitis B.Thus, the findings of our survey showed that the potential hazard associated with aflatoxin in foodin Mongolia has not been serious. However, most researchers suggested that no level of aflatoxinexposure is considered safe.Conclusion: Currently, the levels of the total aflatoxins and aflatoxin M1 were lower than the maximumpermissible levels in UE and the USFDA, and worldwide regulations. Currently, estimated exposuredose of the total aflatoxins and M1aflatoxin through daily high food intake was risked in populationwith hepatitis B virus. However, in Mongolian population has not been excess liver cancer risk.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of the total aflatoxin in peanuts, and their concentration level.Material and MethodThis cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven district of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia,from March to December 2015.A total of 41 samples of peanuts were randomly collected from the survey area, from March to December2015. An ELISA test was used for detection the total aflatoxins(B1+B2). The relative humidity andtemperatures of the storage areas were measured at the time of sampling the peanut.ResultsThe Frequency statistics analysis showed that 61% of all analyzed peanut samples had detectablelevels of the total aflatoxinat 0.05 μg kg-1. The prevalence of samples contaminated with the totalaflatoxins(B1+B2) were higher among analysed samples of the tree nuts, peanuts imported from China,and canned nuts (P<=0.01). Levels of the total aflatoxins were less than the maximum permissible limitsof 15 μg kg by the regulation of European Union and worldwide. The mean values of the storage relativehumidityat the time of sampling peanuts were higher than the recommended storage relative humidity incorn cereals (<13%). Furthermore, the mean values of the storage temperatures at the time of samplingpeanuts were higher in groundnut peanuts, cedar’s nut and peanuts imported from China than therecommended level of the storage temperature in corn cereals (10°C-21°C).Conclusion:The prevalence of the total aflatoxin in peanuts was higher. The level of the total aflatoxins were less thanthe maximum permissible limits of 15 μg kg-1 by the regulation of European Union and worldwide. Thestorage relative humidity and temperatures of peanuts may encourage the growth of fungi-producingaflatoxins. Thus, a national strategy for the elimination of aflatoxin in foods is needed in Mongolia.

Aflatoxins are the secondary metabolites of the fungi namely, Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. They can colonize and contaminate grain before harvest or during storage. There are about twenty related secondary forms of aflatoxins, and subtypes B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂. These aflatoxins frequently contaminate the foods and feeds (Yu J et al, 2000, Imanaka BT et al, 2007). Aflatoxin B1, the most toxic, is a potent hepatocarcinogenic and genotoxigenic metabolites that have been classified as group I carcinogens by International Agency of Research on Cancer (International Agency for Research on cancer, 1993). Aflatoxin M1 is found in milk of lactating cows that have consumed feeds contaminated with aflatoxin B₁. Aflatoxin M₁ was originally classified as a Group 2B human carcinogen in 1993, but subsequent evidences of its cytotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects led to a new categorization of aflaoxin M1 as Group I (International Agency for Research on cancer, 2002). Aflatoxins can affect a wide range of commodities, including crops, cereals, oilseeds, spices, tree nuts, milk, meat, and dried fruit (Wilson DM et al, 1994, Bao L et al, 2010). Mongolia has been imported foods about 60 percent of food demands including wheat, flour, rice, milk, dairy products, peanuts and maize. This situation is required to study aflatoxin contamination in food in Mongolia. Epidemiological studies have found that dietary exposure to aflatoxin and chronic infection with hepatitis B, C virus are three major risk factors for HCC (Viviani et al. 1997; Hall et al. 2003). HCC as a result of chronic aflatoxin exposure has been well documented, presenting most often in persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (Wild and Gong, 2010). The risk of liver cancer in individuals exposed to chronic HBV infection and aflatoxin is up to 30 times greater than the risk in individuals exposed to aflatoxin (Groopman et al., 2008). According to the WHO, the national liver cancer incidence rates was 54.1 per 100.000 population, the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in 11.8%, 15.6% were respectively (J.Abarsanaa, 2012). This situation is a serous public health problem in Mongolia. Thus, we aimed to carry out the monitoring surveillance survey on the aflatoxin contamination level in some food.

BACKGROUND: WHO recommends a minimum of 400 g of fruit and vegetables per day for theprevention of Non Communicable Chronic diseases. Thus we aimed to study fruit and vegetableconsumption in Mongolian population.OBJECTIVE: To assess fruits and vegetables consumption in Mongolian population.Methods. A total of 6005 randomly selected 15-64 year-old Mongolian residents from the surveyareas participated in this survey. For calculating the survey sample size, the prevalence ofoverweight and obesity identified during the previous STEP survey was used. Study participantswere asked about of fruits and vegetables consumption per day in a typical week. Fruits andvegetables consumption were estimated in terms of “number of servings/day”. The percentage ofthe population whom consumed fruits and vegetables by “1-2 servings/day”, “3-4 servings/day”, and“5 servings day” were estimated, respectively. Data analysis was performed using Epi Info version3.5.1 using appropriate methods for the complex sample design of the survey. Outcome measuresand differences between groups were calculated with 95% confidence intervals.RESULTS: Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was 1.5 servings in the survey population, and1.8 servings (95% CI 1.5-20) in urban population and 1.2 servings (95% CI 1.0-1.4) in rural population.Fruits and vegetables consumption in rural population were lower in 0.6 servings compared tourban population (95% CI 1.0-1.4, 1.5-2.0). Overall, 96.4% of the survey population was consumedless than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. In terms of a number of servings fruits andvegetables consumed daily, 49.3% (95% CI 44.3-54.3) had 1-2 servings, 9.4% (95% CI 6.9-11.8)had 3-4 servings and 3.6% (95% CI 2.7-4.6)- 5 or more servings/d. These findings suggested thatthe majority of the survey population consumed 1-2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.CONCLUSIONS: Average daily servings of fruit and vegetables were 1.5 in the Mongolian population,which was 3.5 servings less than the WHO recommendation. 96.4% of the survey population wereconsumed less than 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Fruits and vegetables consumptionin rural population were lower in 0.6 servings compared to urban population.

INTRODUCTION:It has been suggested that most of the patients with bipolar disorders (BD) have either parent sidewhich is mentally ill. Furthermore, 25-27% of the children have been affected by BD if either parentside has BD, or 50-75% is affected if theboth sides of parents have BD, respectively. Heritability ofBD in monozygotic twins is 40-70%, and it is 20% in dizygotic twins. Therefore we aimed to studyhereditary issues of patients with bipolar disorders.PURPOSE:To assess hereditary issues of patients with bipolar disorders.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study sample comprises 31 male, 81 female patients referred to the inpatient settings of theNational Center for Mental Health. The participiants were examined by psychiatric interviewsincluding objective and subjective anamnesis to assess hereditary history of bipolar disorders.Pearson’s x2 test was used for the analysis between categorical variables, whereas simple logisticregression was used for the regression analysis.RESULTS:We covered 31 male (24.8%), 81 female (75.2%) participants between 14-62 years old, mean age:42.05±0.97. Among the participants, 60 (53.6%) of them were with the hereditary history of mentaldisorders whose father (11.6%), mother (25%), a sibling (21.7%),close relatives (38.3%), and a child(3.3%) were mentally ill. 46.7% of the relatives were diagnosed with mood disorders and 36.7% ofthem were diagnosed with schizophrenia and its spectrum disorders. Furthermore, there was anassociation between mental illness of a sibling and bipolar disorders. Also, the number of patientswith BD whose mother was diagnosed with BD (13%) is more prevalent than the patients with BDwhose mother or father or other relatives were diagnosed with any mental disorders (x2 test, P value= 0.012).CONCLUSION:Heritability of BD might be associated with autosomal dominant inheritance with incompletephenotype, and mostly relevant if the patient’s sibling is diagnosed with mental disorders. Keywords:bipolar disorders, depression,mania, heredity, risk factors.

Selenium is a major antioxidant in the form of selenoproteins to mitigate the cytotoxic effects ofreactive oxygen species [1-2). Also selenium an essential trace element, is vital for human normaldevelopment, growth, and thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune function [3]. A number ofstudies have been reported on selenium level [4-8]. Selenium concentration in the biological fluidsvaries considerably inside the global population, and normal ranges for typical population aredifferent [9].Selenium levels in the serum of populations throughout the world vary from 41.7 μg/l In Finland to158.2 μg/l in Canada [10,11] reflect the profound influence of the natural environment on the seleniumcontents of soils, crops, and human tissues (11, 31). In some regions of the world such as Finland,New Zealand, the East coast of the United Stated America and China the content of Selenum insoil is remarkably low [12]. Thus, this article aimed to reviwer on serum selenium concentration inpopulation in some countries.

Background. Persistent organic pollutants include pesticides such as aldrin,dieldrin, endrin, chlordane, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, toxaphene, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, furans. Hexachlorobenzene has been used on timber and unnatural rubber. It has also been used for the preparation of paints and ammunition. HCB is a fungicide for cereals, onion and wheat, and also a byproducts of the pesticide manufacturing process. During the past four decades, great concern and considerable attention have been given to the toxic effects of the hexachlorobenzene that eliminated or restricted the production, use, import and export by the Stockholm convention. The aim of this work is to estimate a dietary intake of hexachlorobenzene with some food by a general population in Mongolia. Goal: The goal of this study is to estimate a dietary intake of hexachlorobenzene with some food by a general population in Mongolia which eliminated or restricted the production, use, import and export in the worldwide by the Stockholm Convention and to assess an oral exposure and health risk. Objectives: 1. To determine concentrations residue of hexachlorobenzene in vegetables, fruits and in rice. 2. To estimate a dietary intake of hexachlorobenzene with some vegetables, fruits and rice by a general population in Mongolia 3. To estimate the oral Reference Dose of hexachlorobenzene as units of mg/kg-day in body weight. Results: Total quantity of fungicides imported to Mongolia in 2007 was about 4.087 l. Residue of hexaclorobenzene was detected in potatoes, vegetables ranging from 0.12 to 0.16 mg/kg, in fruits 0.66 mg/kg, and in rice 0.25-mg/kg. The intake of HCBz in men was estimated at about 0.17806 mg, and in women 0.05791 mg, respectively. The oral Reference Dose of HCBz was estimated 0.0026 mg in per kilogram of body weight in Mongolian men and 0.00094 mg in per kilogram of body weight in Mongolian women per day. The intake of HCBz were estimated about at 0.17196 mg in children aged 1-3 years, 0.13954 mg in children aged 4-6 years, 0.18596 mg in children aged 7-10 years, and 0.18596 mg in children of aged 11-14 years. The oral reference Dose of HCBz was estimated about at 0.17196 mg in per kilogram of the body weight of children aged 1-3 years and 0.13954 mg in per kilogram of the body weight of children aged 4-6. Also the oral reference dose of HCBz were estimated 0.13954 mg in per kilogram of the body weight of children aged 7-10 years while 0.18596 mg in per kilogram of the body of children aged 11-14 years per day. Conclusions: 1. Hexachlorobenzene is being imported to Mongolia which eliminated or restricted the production, use, import and export. 2. Potatoes, vegetables, fruit and rice were contained residues of hexachlorobenzene. 3. The oral reference Dose of HCB was reached to liver effects dose in 0.0008 mg/kg day.