A large-scale study was undertaken in the state of Kelantan, to determine the prevalence of goitre. A total of 2,450 subjects above the age of 15 years were selected from 31 localities in the state and examination for goitre was done using the technique of Perez. The state was divided into 3 areas--coastal area (area 1), inland area (area 2) and the area in between the coast and the inland area (area 3). The overall prevalence of goitre was 36.8% and the prevalence in areas 1, 2 and 3 were 23.0%, 35.9% and 44.9% respectively and ranged from 6.9% in a locality in area 1 to 59.7% in a locality in area 3. In all areas, the prevalence was higher in females than in males. The prevalence of grades I, II and III goitres were 21.5%, 1.0% and 0.5% respectively in area 1, 33.6%, 1.5% and 0.7% respectively in area 2 and 41.7%, 2.2% and 1.0% respectively in area 3. Amongst age groups, goitre prevalence was highest in the 36 to 45 years age group in area 1 (33.9%), in the 15 to 25 years age group in area 2 (39.6%) and in the 26 to 35 years age group in area 3 (54.3%). In all the areas, goitre prevalence was lowest in the above 56 years age group. We concluded that the prevalence of goitre was high in Kelantan and there were regional differences in the prevalence rate within the state.
Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta-1) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation of both normal and transformed cells. The main aim of this study was to determine whether TGF-beta-1 or alpha fetoprotein (AFP) or the combination of the two is a better indicator for hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC). Serum TGF-beta-1 and AFP were measured by ELISA in 40 healthy subjects, 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 70 patients with hepatitis B, 26 patients with hepatitis C and 16 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Patients with liver diseases showed significantly higher serum TGF-beta-1 values (> 3 fold) compared to control subjects. As for serum AFP, significant elevation was only observed for HCC cases. Serum TGF-beta-1 exhibited higher percent sensitivity compared to serum AFP in all liver diseases. Combination of serum TGF-beta-1 and AFP increased specificities in all cases studied. In conclusion, serum TGF-beta-1 is a more sensitive marker for HCC when compared to serum AFP and its specificity is increased when combined with serum AFP.
Effect of Tai Chi exercise on the level of DNA damage using the comet assay, lymphocyte viability and frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) were determined in adults aged above 45. Tai Chi participants of 7 years (n=35), showed higher level of normal DNA and lower level of mild and severely damaged DNA as compared to the sedentary subjects (n=35). The former are suggested to have effective DNA repair mechanism as their frequency of SCE was markedly lower. Higher lymphocyte apoptosis and proliferation found in the Tai Chi participants also indicated that the exercise promotes renewal and regeneration of lymphocytes.