• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.16
• /
• pp.7255-7260
• /
• 2015

Background: Recent reports have shown that DLC-1 is widely expressed in normal tissues and is down-regulated in a wide range of human tumors, suggesting it may act as a tumor suppressor gene. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the correlation between DLC-1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics in cancers. Materials and Methods: A detailed literature search was made for relevant publications from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library databases, Web of Science, CNKI. The methodological quality of the studies was also evaluated. Analyses of pooled data were performed and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated and summarized. Results: Final analysis was performed of 1,815 cancer patients from 19 eligible studies. We observed that DLC- 1 expression was significantly lower in cancers than in normal tissues. DLC-1 expression was not found to be associated with tumor differentiation status. However, DLC-1 expression was obviously lower in advance stage than in early-stage cancers and was more down-regulated in metastatic than non-metastatic cancers. Conclusions: The results of our meta-analysis suggested that DLC-1 expression is significantly lower in cancers than in normal tissues. Aberrant DLC-1 expression may play an important role in cancer genesis and metastasis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.19
• /
• pp.8429-8433
• /
• 2014

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are believed to be particularly important and a reliable marker of malignancy. However, the prognostic significance of CTCs detected in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is still unclear. We therefore aimed to assess the prognostic relevance of CTCs using a meta-analysis. We searched PubMed for relevant studies and statistical analyses were conducted to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using fixed or random-effect models according to the heterogeneity of included studies. A total of 7 papers covering 440 SCLC patients were combined in the final analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that CTCs were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (HR=1.9; 95%CI: 1.19-3.04; Z=2.67; P<0.0001) and progression-free survival (HR=2.6; 95%CI: 1.9-3.54; Z=6.04; P<0.0001). The results thus suggest that the presence of CTCs indicates a poor prognosis in patients with SCLC. Further well-designed prospective studies are required to explore the clinical applications of CTCs in SCLC.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.129-133
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The systematic review (SR) is a research methodology that aims to synthesize related evidence. Updating previously conducted SRs is necessary when new evidence has been produced, but no consensus has yet emerged on the appropriate update methodology. The authors have developed a new SR update method called 'adaptive meta-analysis' (AMA) using the 'cited by', 'similar articles', and 'related articles' citation discovery tools in the PubMed and Scopus databases. This study evaluates the usefulness of these citation discovery tools for updating SRs. Methods: Lists were constructed by applying the citation discovery tools in the two databases to the articles analyzed by a published SR. The degree of overlap between the lists and distribution of excluded results were evaluated. Results: The articles ultimately selected for the SR update meta-analysis were found in the lists obtained from the 'cited by' and 'similar' tools in PubMed. Most of the selected articles appeared in both the 'cited by' lists in Scopus and PubMed. The Scopus 'related' tool did not identify the appropriate articles. Conclusions: The AMA, which involves using both citation discovery tools in PubMed, and optionally, the 'related' tool in Scopus, was found to be useful for updating an SR.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.23
• /
• pp.10293-10298
• /
• 2015

Background: Previous epidemiologic studies on the association between energy intake and endometrial cancer risk have only generated contradictory results. The role of energy intake in endometrial carcinogenesis thus remains unclear. To quantitatively assess the potential association between energy intake and endometrial cancer, a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies was here conducted. Materials and Methods: Eligible studies were retrieved via both computerized searches and review of references. Fixed-or random-effect models were used to summarize the estimates of OR with 95%CIs. Stratified analyses on study design, region and macronutrients' calorie were performed. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria of the meta-analysis. No association between total energy intake and endometrial cancer was observed in either overall group (OR=1.11, 95%CI 0.92-1.30) or subgroups stratified by study design and region. In the specific macronutrients' calorie analysis, higher fat energy intake was found to be associated with increased endometrial risk (OR=1.72, 95%CI 1.12-2.32) while energy from carbohydrate and protein was not related to endometrial cancer risk. Conclusions: Our analysis did not support that total energy intake is related to endometrial cancer risk, in contrast to fat energy.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.109-137
• /
• 2002

A literature analysis for the planning and realization of meta database system was carried out to establish the ocean electronic resources, the first in Korea. The study targeted from web resources and to oceanographic survey data. The focus of the analysis lies in the providing practical information retrieval service for ocean electronic resources based on the framework of effective Dublin Core metadata with network resources description. The analyses included ocean electronic resources, metadata descriptive elements, metadata classification, system organization and retrieval for planning and implementation of meta database system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.2013-2017
• /
• 2013

Background: To compare the effects of two adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, anthracycline-based and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorourical (CMF) on disease free survival for breast cancer patients in the Eastern Mediterranean region and Asia. Methods: In a systematic review with a multivariate mixed model meta-analysis, the reported survival proportion at multiple time points in different studies were combined. Our data sources were studies linking the two chemotherapy regimens on an adjuvant basis with disease free survival published in English and Persian in the Eastern Mediterranean region and Asia. All survival curves were generated with Graphdigitizer software. Results: 14 retrospective cohort studies were located from electronic databases. We analyzed data for 1,086 patients who received anthracycline-based treatment and 1,109 given CMF treatment. For determination of survival proportions and time we usesb the transformation Ln (-Ln(S)) and Ln (time) to make precise estimations and then fit the model. All analyses were carried out with STATA software. Conclusions: Our findings showed a significant efficacy of anthracycline-based adjuvant therapy regarding disease free survival of breast cancer. As a limitation in this meta-analysis we used studies with different types of anthracycline-based regimens.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1697-1701
• /
• 2013

Background: Studies of associations between genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) with risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) have generated conflicting results. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effects of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on the risk of developing NPC. Materials and Methods: A literature search in two electronic databases namely PubMed and EMBASE up to December 2012 was conducted and eligible papers were finally selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and presence of heterogeneity and publication bias in those studies were evaluated. Results: A total of 9 studies concerning nasopharyngeal cancer were evaluated. Analyses of all relevant studies showed increased NPC risk to be significantly associated with the null genotypes of GSTMI (OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.24-1.66) and GSTT1 (OR=1.28, 95%CI=1.09-1.51). In addition, evidence of publication bias was detected among the studies on GSTM1 polymorphism. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are associated with an increased risk of NPC.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.177-189
• /
• 2017

Purpose: A meta-analysis was conducted to identify the effect of cognitive improvement programs for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Korea. Methods: Five databases, as well as relevant reference lists, of studies published from 2000 to 2016, were searched. Fourteen studies were identified. Quality assessments of included studies were conducted using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. An R program was used to analyze effect sizes and to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among studies. The potential for publication bias was investigated using a funnel plot, Egger's regression test and sensitivity analysis. Results: The total effect size was large (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD]=1.44, 95% CI: 1.11~1.77), with cognition based intervention (SMD= 1.77, 95% CI: 1.26~2.29) and exercise intervention (SMD=1.13, 95% CI: 0.82~1.44). Statistically significant moderators were identified intervention type by meta-ANOVA analyses. Finally, no significant evidence of publication bias was found. Conclusion: There is clear evidence that cognitive improvement programs can greatly enhance cognition in elderly with MCI. Future research should examine the effects of non-pharmacological interventions targeting elderly populations with mild-to-severe cognitive impairment in order to develop and enhance the effectiveness of cognitive improvement programs in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of elastic band resistance training for muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Data were pooled using fixed effect models. Sit to stand, arm curl, and grip strength were analyzed for main effects. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 statistics and publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots. Twelves studies were included representing 611 participants. Elastic band resistance training was effective for lower (d=3.89, 95% CI: 3.03, 4.75) and upper extremity muscle strength (d=4.08, 95% CI: 2.94, 5.23). Heterogeneity was moderate and no significant publication bias was detected. Based on these findings, there is clear evidence that elastic band resistance training has significant positive effects on muscle strength among community-dwelling older adults. Further study will be needed to perform subgroup analysis using number of sessions and exercise intensity as predictors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.10
• /
• pp.5201-5205
• /
• 2012

Background: To evaluate the role of the X-ray repair cross complementing group 3 (XRCC3) T241M polymorphism in head and neck cancer susceptibility. Materials and Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of all available studies, which included 3,191 cases and 5,090 controls. Results: Overall, a significant risk effect of the T241M polymorphism was not found under homologous contrast (MM vs TT: OR=1.293, 95% CI=0.926-1.805; TM vs TT: OR=1.148 95% CI=0.930-1.418) and recessive models (MM vs TT+TM): OR=1.170, 95% CI=0.905-1.512, but a significantly increased risk was observed under a dominant model (MM+TM vs TT): OR=1.243, 95% CI=1.001-1.544. In stratified analyses, there were no significant associations for Asians or Caucasians. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis suggested the XRCC3 241M allele (MM+TM) might act as a head and neck cancer risk factor among all subjects, and the effect of T241M polymorphism on head and neck susceptibility should be studied with a larger, stratified population.