Association between Alcohol Consumption and Survival in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-analysis

Kim, Youngyo,Je, Youjin,Giovannucci, Edward L. American Association for Cancer Research 2019 Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention Vol.28 No.11

<P><B>Background:</B></P><P>Although an association between alcohol consumption and risk of colorectal cancer is well established, little is known about the association between alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer survival. We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to quantitatively assess this association.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>Data searches were performed using PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases through December 2018. We estimated pooled RRs with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects models.</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>Twelve studies with 32,846 patients with colorectal cancer were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with no alcohol consumption, light (RR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.81–0.94) and moderate (RR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85–1.00) prediagnostic alcohol consumption were associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality. Light prediagnostic alcohol consumption was associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer–specific mortality (RR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78–0.98). However, heavy prediagnostic alcohol consumption was not significantly associated with colorectal cancer survival. In a dose–response analysis, a nonlinear association between prediagnostic alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality was observed (<I>P</I><SUB>nonlinearity</SUB> = 0.0025), showing the reduction in RR at <30 g/day of alcohol consumption. By type of alcohol, wine consumption was associated with lower risk of mortality from all-causes and colorectal cancer, but a positive association was observed between moderate liquor consumption and all-cause mortality. There was no association between postdiagnostic alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer survival.</P><P><B>Conclusions:</B></P><P>Light and moderate prediagnostic alcohol consumption were associated with better survival in colorectal cancer.</P><P><B>Impact:</B></P><P>Our findings suggest that light and moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with better survival in colorectal cancer, but further studies are warranted.</P>

Non-associative fuzzy-relevance logics: strong t-associative monoidal uninorm logics

Yang, Eun-Suk Korean Association for Logic 2009 論理硏究 Vol.12 No.1

This paper investigates generalizations of weakening-free uninorm logics not assuming associativity of intensional conjunction (so called fusion) &, as non-associative fuzzy-relevance logics. First, the strong t-associative monoidal uninorm logic StAMUL and its schematic extensions are introduced as non-associative propositional fuzzy-relevance logics. (Non-associativity here means that, differently from classical logic, & is no longer associative.) Then the algebraic structures corresponding to the systems are defined, and algebraic completeness results for them are provided. Next, predicate calculi corresponding to the propositional systems introduced here are considered.

Orientation and International Strategies for the East Asian Journal of Business Economics

Kim, Byoung-Goo,Kim, Young-Ei East Asia Business Economics Association 2018 East asian journal of business management Vol.6 No.1

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to review and analyze EAJBE (The East Asian Journal of Business Economics) of EABEA (The East Asia Business Economics Association) and all of their published articles of 2013 to 2017 and to revise and update the existing publication standards and practices in order to improve the overall quality and reputation of EAJBE. Research design, data, and methodology - This paper applied an analytical approach, a case study method, to analyze and examine the published articles and the publication standards and practices of EAJBE (East Asian Journal of Business Economics) from their first publication. Results - The EAJBE has been issuing academic journals four times a year since its foundation. Although it is a journal based in Korea, overseas scholars publish articles steadily compared to other academic journals and the EAJBE raises the level of globalization. The level of internationalization of association's management and editorial members is also high, making the overall academic journal more cosmopolitan. Conclusions - Although the EABEA (The East Asia Business Economics Association) is a newly formed, the association is actively managing the academic community and making two major goals for the development of the academic journal. First, this journal is actively attracting overseas scholars, and is raising the level of internationalization. As an integrated academic conference is held with overseas scholars, they actively exchange with overseas scholars by contributing and publishing their papers. Second, it is seeking to establish national and international ties by publishing the papers of Korean scholars as well as abroad and holding academic contests regularly.

Expression of ectodermal neural cortex 1 and its association with actin during the ovulatory process in the rat.

Kim, Sun-Gyun,Jang, Soo-Jeong,Soh, Jaemog,Lee, Keesook,Park, Jin-Ki,Chang, Won-Kyong,Park, Eung-Woo,Chun, Sang-Young Association for the Study of Internal Secretions 2009 Endocrinology Vol.150 No.8

<P>Ectodermal neural cortex (ENC) 1, a member of the kelch family of genes, is an actin-binding protein and plays a pivotal role in neuronal and adipocyte differentiation. The present study was designed to examine the gonadotropin regulation and action of ENC1 during the ovulatory process in immature rats. The levels of ENC1 mRNA and protein were stimulated by LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) within 3 h both in vivo and in vitro. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that ENC1 mRNA was localized not only in theca/interstitial cells but also in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles but not of growing follicles in pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin/hCG-treated ovaries. LH-induced ENC1 expression was suppressed by a high dose of protein kinase C inhibitor RO 31-8220 (10 microM) but not by low doses of RO 31-8220 (0.1-1.0 microM), suggesting the involvement of atypical protein kinase C. ENC1 was detected in both nucleus and cytoplasm that was increased by LH/hCG treatment. Both biochemical and morphological analysis revealed that LH/hCG treatment increased actin polymerization within 3 h in granulosa cells. Interestingly, ENC1 physically associated with actin and treatment with cytochalasin D, an actin-depolymerizing agent, abolished this association. Confocal microscopy further demonstrated the colocalization of ENC1 with filamentous actin (F-actin). The present study demonstrates that LH/hCG stimulates ENC1 expression and increases F-actin formation in granulosa cells. The present study further shows the physical association of ENC1 and F-actin, implicating the role of ENC1 in cytoskeletal reorganization during the differentiation of granulosa cells.</P>

Effectiveness of Computed Tomography for Blow-out Fracture

Rhee, Seung-Hyun,Kim, Tae-Seup,Song, Jae-Min,Shin, Sang-Hoon,Lee, Jae-Yeol Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Re 2014 Maxillofacial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Vol.36 No.6

Purpose: This study assessed the association between eye symptoms (enophthalmos or diplopia) and site of damage, volume, deviated inferior rectus muscle (IRM) and type of fracture with computed tomography (CT). The intent is to anticipate the prognosis of orbital trauma at initial diagnosis. Methods: Forty-five patients were diagnosed with fractures of the inferior wall of one orbit. Fracture area, volume of displaced tissue, deviated IRM, and type of fracture were evaluated from coronal CT by one investigator. The association of those variables with the occurrence of eye symptoms (diplopia and enophthalmos) was assessed. Results: Of 45 patients, 27 were symptom-free (Group A) and 18 had symptoms (Group B) of enophthalmos and/or diplopia. In Group B, 12 had diplopia, one was enophthalmos, and five had both. By CT measurement, group A mean area was $192.6mm^2$ and the mean volume was $673.2mm^3$. Group B area was $316.2mm^2$ and volume was $1,710.6mm^3$. The volume was more influential on symptom occurrence. Each patient was categorized into four grades depending on the location of IRM. Symptom occurrence and higher grade were associated. Twenty-six patients had trap-door fracture (one side, attached to the fracture), and 19 had punched-out fracture (both sides detached). The punched-out fracture was more strongly associated with symptoms and had statistically significantly higher area and volume. Conclusion: In orbital trauma, measurement of fracture area and volume, evaluation of the deviated IRM and classification of the fracture type by coronal CT can effectively predict prognosis and surgical indication.

Five polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: results from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium.

Gaudet, Mia M,Milne, Roger L,Cox, Angela,Camp, Nicola J,Goode, Ellen L,Humphreys, Manjeet K,Dunning, Alison M,Morrison, Jonathan,Giles, Graham G,Severi, Gianluca,Baglietto, Laura,English, Dallas R,Cou American Association for Cancer Research 2009 Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention Vol.18 No.5

<P>Previous studies have suggested that minor alleles for ERCC4 rs744154, TNF rs361525, CASP10 rs13010627, PGR rs1042838, and BID rs8190315 may influence breast cancer risk, but the evidence is inconclusive due to their small sample size. These polymorphisms were genotyped in more than 30,000 breast cancer cases and 30,000 controls, primarily of European descent, from 30 studies in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) as a measure of association. We found that the minor alleles for these polymorphisms were not related to invasive breast cancer risk overall in women of European descent: ECCR4 per-allele OR (95% CI) = 0.99 (0.97-1.02), minor allele frequency = 27.5%; TNF 1.00 (0.95-1.06), 5.0%; CASP10 1.02 (0.98-1.07), 6.5%; PGR 1.02 (0.99-1.06), 15.3%; and BID 0.98 (0.86-1.12), 1.7%. However, we observed significant between-study heterogeneity for associations with risk for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in CASP10, PGR, and BID. Estimates were imprecise for women of Asian and African descent due to small numbers and lower minor allele frequencies (with the exception of BID SNP). The ORs for each copy of the minor allele were not significantly different by estrogen or progesterone receptor status, nor were any significant interactions found between the polymorphisms and age or family history of breast cancer. In conclusion, our data provide persuasive evidence against an overall association between invasive breast cancer risk and ERCC4 rs744154, TNF rs361525, CASP10 rs13010627, PGR rs1042838, and BID rs8190315 genotypes among women of European descent.</P>

Gamma-Glutamyltransferase and Cancer Incidence: The Ohsaki Cohort Study

Tsuboya, Toru,Kuriyama, Shinichi,Nagai, Masato,Hozawa, Atsushi,Sugawara, Yumi,Tomata, Yasutake,Kakizaki, Masako,Nishino, Yoshikazu,Tsuji, Ichiro Japan Epidemiological Association 2012 Journal of epidemiology Vol.22 No.2

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>Although experimental studies have shown that gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) has a role in tumor progression, epidemiologic evidence for a relationship between GGT and cancer incidence is limited. The present study investigated the association between GGT and cancer incidence and assessed the role of alcohol consumption in this association.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>We examined a cohort of 15 031 Japanese adults aged 40 to 79 years who attended a health checkup in 1995 and were free of cancer at that time. GGT was measured using the Szasz method. The participants were then followed from 1 January 1996 until 31 December 2005, and cancer incidence was recorded by using the Miyagi Regional Cancer Registry. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for each quartile of GGT and compared. The lowest quartile (GGT <13.0 IU/ml) was used as the reference category.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>We documented 1505 cancers. Among participants in the highest quartile (GGT ≥31.0 IU/ml), the multivariate HR for any cancer was 1.28 (95% CI, 1.08–1.53; <I>P</I> for trend, <0.001), the HR for colorectal cancer was significantly greater than unity, and the HRs for esophageal, pancreatic, and breast cancers were greater than unity but not significantly so. This positive trend was observed only in current drinkers.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Our findings suggest that there is a positive relationship between GGT and cancer incidence only for alcohol-related cancers in current drinkers and that the positive association of GGT with cancer incidence largely reflects alcohol consumption.</P>

Genetic Parameters of Milk β-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Acetone and Their Genetic Association with Milk Production Traits of Holstein Cattle

Lee, SeokHyun,Cho, KwangHyun,Park, MiNa,Choi, TaeJung,Kim, SiDong,Do, ChangHee Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.11

This study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and acetone concentration in milk by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with test-day milk production traits including fat %, protein % and milk yield based on monthly samples of milk obtained as part of a routine milk recording program in Korea. Additionally, the feasibility of using such data in the official dairy cattle breeding system for selection of cows with low susceptibility of ketosis was evaluated. A total of 57,190 monthly test-day records for parities 1, 2, and 3 of 7,895 cows with pedigree information were collected from April 2012 to August 2014 from herds enrolled in the Korea Animal Improvement Association. Multi-trait random regression models were separately applied to estimate genetic parameters of test-day records for each parity. The model included fixed herd test-day effects, calving age and season effects, and random regressions for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Abundance of variation of acetone may provide a more sensitive indication of ketosis than many zero observations in concentration of milk BHBA. Heritabilities of milk BHBA levels ranged from 0.04 to 0.17 with a mean of 0.09 for the interval between 4 and 305 days in milk during three lactations. The average heritabilities for milk acetone concentration were 0.29, 0.29, and 0.22 for parities 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no clear genetic association of the concentration of two ketone bodies with three test-day milk production traits, even if some correlations among breeding values of the test-day records in this study were observed. These results suggest that genetic selection for low susceptibility of ketosis in early lactation is possible. Further, it is desirable for the breeding scheme of dairy cattle to include the records of milk acetone rather than the records of milk BHBA.

The Impact of Corporate Governance on Firm Performance During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Malaysia

KHATIB, Saleh F.A.,NOUR, Abdul-Naser Ibrahim Korea Distribution Science Association 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.2

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on corporate governance attributes and firm performance association. This research used a sample of 188 non-financial firms from the Malaysian market for the years 2019-2020. We found that the COVID-19 has affected all firm characteristics including firm performance, governance structure, dividend, liquidity, and leverage level, yet, the difference between prior and post COVID-19 pandemic is not significant. Also, the investigation revealed that board size exerts a significant positive impact on firm performance. After splitting the sample based on year, however, we found that board size does not matter in the uncertain time of the current crisis, while board diversity appeared to be significantly enhancing firm performance in the crisis time compared to the prior year where it has an inverse association with firm performance in both indicators. Board meetings and audit committee meetings seemed to have a significant negative influence on firm performance pre and post-COVID-19. This study contributes to the limited literature by providing the first empirical evidence on the impact of Coronavirus on the firm performance and corporate governance association.

Korean Gastric Cancer Association-Led Nationwide Survey on Surgically Treated Gastric Cancers in 2019

The Information Committee of the Korean Gastric Cancer Association, The Korean Gastric Cancer Association 2021 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.21 No.3

Purpose: The Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer, every 5 years, since 1995. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2019. Materials and Methods: This survey was conducted from March to December 2020 using a standardized case report form, which was sent to every member of the KGCA via e-mail. We collected data on 54 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. We compared the results of the 2019 survey with previous surveys. Results: Data of 14,076 cases were collected from 68 institutions. The mean patient age was 62.9 years and the proportion of patients who were aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 28.8% in 2019. The proportion of upper-third tumors steadily increased from 11.2% in 1995 to 20.9% in 2019 and that of early gastric cancer increased from 57.7% in 2009 to 63.6% in 2019. Regarding operative procedures, a total laparoscopic approach was used in more than half of the cases (55.1%) in 2019. The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (45.0%) after distal gastrectomy and double tract reconstruction (81.2%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2019. The postoperative mortality rate was 1.0%, and the overall postoperative complication rate was 14.5%. Conclusions: The results of the 2019 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for gastric cancer research in the future.