AURKA Gene Variants rs1047972, and rs8173 Are Associated With Breast Cancer

Eric Jonathan Maciel-Cruz,Luis Eduardo Figuera-Villanueva,Asbiel Felipe Garibaldi-Ríos,Belinda Claudia Gómez-Meda,Guillermo Moisés Zúñiga-González,Ana María Pérez,Paola B Castro-García,Ramiro Ramírez- 한국유방암학회 2023 Journal of breast cancer Vol.26 No.4

Purpose: Association between variants rs1047972 and rs8173 of the AURKA gene in healthy women and breast cancer (BC) in a Mexican population. Methods: Genomic DNA samples from 409 healthy women and 572 patients with BC were analyzed for variants rs1047972 and rs8173 of the AURKA gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: TT genotype (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–5.11; p = 0.0015) and the T allele (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.23–2.12; p = 0.0007) of the rs1047972 variant were associated as risk susceptibility for BC relative to the control group. Contrarily, the GG genotype (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43–0.94; p = 0.029) was associated as a protective factor of susceptibility of BC of the variant rs8173 of the AURKA gene. Differences were observed in the patients with BC who were carriers of the CT genotype of the rs1047972 variant with overweight, obesity, estrogen receptor-positive plus obesity, Ki-67 (≥ 20%) plus history familial positive of cancer; and for variant rs8173 the BC patients who were CG carriers and presented chemotherapy gastric toxicity, hormonal receptor positive plus chemotherapy gastric toxicity, and menopause status plus chemotherapy gastric toxicity (p < 0.05). Two common haplotypes were identified in the study groups: CG and TC genotypes, were associated as a protective and risk factor, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Variants rs1047972 and rs8173 of the AURKA gene and the TC haplotype were associated as risk susceptibility factors for BC in this population.

LEAN WASTE MINIMIZATION FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS: THE CASE OF A PLASTIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Gonver S. Valencia,Mar B. Cruz,Dinah Pura T. Depositario,Nanette A. Aquino 한국무역학회 2019 한국무역학회 국제학술대회 Vol.2019 No.08

The study determined the most common lean waste of GMND-AB Operations Department and developed recommendations on how to minimize these wastes. The operational lean wastes were identified and classified by consolidating all the available data of the firm and through actual onsite verification. Gathered data were verified using key informant interviews and onsite process audits. Value Stream Mapping in the form of a workshop was also utilized to identify the lean waste. There were seven identified lean wastes in the operations namely: cavitation losses and broken moulds, non-conforming products or spoilages, waiting for approvals, waiting for process adjustment, waiting for color change over and waiting for equipment. A total of 70 million equivalent caps which equates to 35 Million pesos were lost due to these lean waste in 2018 operation alone. The study recommended lean strategies such as new equipment and process acquisition, total preventive maintenance (TPM), shop floor organization, work standardization, set up reduction and competitive benchmarking to minimize the impact of the identified waste in the operation.

A Business Model Analysis of Virtual Currency Platforms in the Philippines

Arlene C. Gutierrez,Mar B. Cruz 아시아무역학회 2017 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol.4 No.2

The advent of advanced technology coupled withchanging consumer behavior triggered the innovations disrupting traditional practices. Among these innovations is the use of virtual currency (VC) in trade transactions. VC refers to any type of digital unit used as a medium of exchange. This study focused on the business model analysis of VC platforms among Philippine-based firms. Specifically, it looked at the revenue model, application and potential risks associated with VCs and the applicability of VCs to agribusiness firms. Descriptive analysis, business models canvas, benchmarking, trend and risk analysis were used. Results showed that VC differed in terms of purpose and target market. Two main popular forms would be loyalty program credits and cryptocurrency. The former was very common among local successful firms while bitcoin was the most traded cryptocurrency in the country. These currencies differ in the level of flexibility and sources of revenues. Meanwhile, asset-backed-tokens emerged as a virtual currency that could address some problems among agriculture-based firms. Despite the attractiveness of virtual currencies, consumers should be wary of the potential risks associated with the transactions, including liquidity and fraud possibilities. Lastly, businesses adopting VCs should widen its network of external partners to maximize the returns from the marketing program.

Effect of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (R.A. 10963 - TRAIN Law) on Selected Socio-Economic Indicators: A Preliminary Assessment

Trespalacio, Juan Paulino Juni,Trespalacio, Gemmalyn M.,Cruz, Mar B.,Miranda-Quibot, Hanna D. 한국무역학회 2019 한국무역학회 국제학술대회 Vol.2019 No.08

The Philippines is currently the 2nd fastest growing economy in Asia based on GDP growth rate for the past 10 years. This will require investment in infrastructure and human capital to sustain the progress. The Philippine’s government flagship program has increased the annual national budget which requires a higher revenue of the state to finance it. Internal revenue is the highest contributor in aggregate government revenue which is the source of the majority of the national budget. This study aims to assess the preliminary effect of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law to selected socio-economic indicators, namely unemployment rate, poverty reduction, and inflation rate, to verify the claim of the government that the tax reform is simple, fairer, and more efficient. Based on the content analysis from various government agencies and published journal articles that has been conducted, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.7% in 2017 to 5.3% in 2018. The poverty incidence improved from 13.0% in 2015 to 8.5% in 2018.

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Decisions in Farm Machineries Usage: The Case of Vegetable Farmers in Quezon Province, Philippines

Fritz Jerald V. Principe,Jeanette Angeline B. Madamba,James Roldan S. Reyes,Loida E. Mojica,Mar B. Cruz 아시아무역학회 2020 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol.7 No.2

Purpose – The study assessed the influence of some variables relevant to vegetable farmers’ decisions in farm machinery usage. The decision of farmers in using farm machineries is determined by a number of social, technical, environmental and economic factors. Design/Methodology/Approach – The binary logit model was employed to determine the relationship of the predetermined factors on farmers’ use of a single-specific farm machine. Furthermore, the study utilized negative binomial regression to assess the factors influencing the decisions of farmers in using various farm machineries in their farming operations. Findings – Results showed that majority of the farmers still follow traditional farming methods using very limited farm technologies. Farmers face the challenge of optimizing their land use, and this includes their decision whether or not to use farm machineries in their farming operations in order to boost production. Various factors are considered, more than just the cost of technology. Thus, a combination of household-specific, economic, technology, institutional and moderating factors influences the technology adoption decisions of vegetable farmers. Moreover, it was revealed that formal education, household size, household income, cash availability, farm size, access to extension workers, attendance in seminars, trainings and workshops, and on-farm demo participation are all positively related to the probability of farmers’ usage of identified farming machines. Conversely, farming experience, cost of technology, technology triability, credit access, and farm distance to market are all found to be negatively related to the probability of farmers’ usage of farm machineries. Research Implications – Various recommendations were offered to address challenges encountered by farmers in terms of farm machinery usage including changing the farmers’ mindset from a traditional perspective to a market-oriented one via the R.E.S.E.T. model.

Adoption of Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) and Certification Among Commercial Swine Farms in Ibaan and Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines: Status, Issues and Prospects

Jan Elmore R. Javier III,Nohreen Ethel P. Manipol,Mar B. Cruz,Dia Noelle F. Velasco 한국무역학회 2019 한국무역학회 국제학술대회 Vol.2019 No.08

This paper determined the awareness of the respondents, namely the commercial swine farm raisers in Ibaan and Lipa City, Batangas, to GAHP and the certification process. Furthermore, the study assessed the compliance of the farms according to the GAHP standards. In presenting and assessing the various farm operations, frequency percentages and descriptive analysis were used. The results showed that majority of the respondents had were unaware of the concept of GAHP. Furthermore, all were not aware of the GAHP certification process. In assessing the compliance of the farms, it was observed that farms are generally adopting GAHP but were unaware. Constraints to compliance and certification determined were the lack of awareness, noncompulsory certification, compliance to documents, confidentiality and cost. Drivers for better GAHP compliance and certification included were the government, market, and the companies engaged in contract growing. Recommendations were to conduct more information disseminations, stricter government enforcements, and improved branding for consumers to improve the GAHP situation in the country.

Sustainability Reporting of Telecommunications Companies: Evidence from the Philippines

Hanna D,Miranda-Quibot,Nanette A,Aquino,Juan Paulino S,Trespalacio,Junior,Mar B,Cruz 아시아무역학회 2020 Journal of Asia Trade and Business Vol.7 No.1

Purpose - The telecommunications companies in the Philippines are required to submit Sustainability Reports that disclose their economic, environmental, and social responsibilities according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This is to show transparency in all their activities related to the economic, environmental and social dimensions that should be presented to different stakeholders. Thus, this study aimed to determine the extent of sustainability reporting of top telecommunications companies in the Philippines. Design/Methodology/Approach - The sustainability reports of two top telecommunications companies in the Philippines, namely, PLDT and Globe Telecom, were examined using content analysis and by assigning scores to the indicators disclosed in the reports. Findings - Based from the results, both companies took active participation in providing benefits, education, training and a good working environment for their employees while continuously providing support to the local community. PLDT extensively disclosed more information using the sustainability standards as compared to Globe Telecom. Research Implications - However, to strike a balance among the three dimensions, the indicators must be examined because correctly communicating the CSR activities covering the three dimensions is an effective way for the company to establish a good reputation and for the stakeholders to make the right decisions.