• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.945-951
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• 2012

Objective: FAS/FASL gene promoter polymorphisms have been repeatedly associated with gastric cancer risk, but findings are inconclusive across studies. To address a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods: Data were collected from the Pubmed, Medline and EMBASE databases, with the last report up to 1 December, 2011. Crude ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of the association by (1) the additive, (2) the codominant, (3) the dominant, and (4) the recessive models. Results: A total of seven studies, including six studies on FAS -1377G>A polymorphism, five studies on FAS -670A>G polymorphism, and six studies on FASL -844T>C polymorphism, were identified in the current meta-analysis. Overall, an association of FAS -1377G>A (AA versus GG: OR = 1.313, 95% CI = 1.045-1.650, Ph = 0.347, $I^2$ = 10.8) and FASL -844T>C (CC versus TT: OR = 1.352, 95% CI = 1.043-1.752, Ph = 0.461, $I^2$ = 0.0) polymorphisms with gastric cancer was found in the codominant model. However, we did not detect any association between gastric cancer and the FAS -670A>G polymorphism. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, similar elevated risks were also observed in Asian population for FAS -1377G>A (AA versus GG: OR = 1.309, 95% CI = 1.041-1.646, Ph = 0.240, $I^2$ = 27.3) and FASL -844T>C (CC versus TT: OR = 1.420, 95% CI = 1.081-1.865, Ph = 0.524, $I^2$ = 0.0) polymorphisms. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that FAS -1377G>A and FASL -844T>C polymorphisms might be associated with gastric cancer risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.901-907
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• 2012

Objective: Cumulative evidence suggests that MLH1, the key component in the mismatch pathway, plays an important role in human cancers. Two potential functional polymorphisms (-93G>A and I219V) of MLH1 have been implicated in cancer risk. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence for associations. Methods: Eligible studies were identified by searching the electronic literature PubMed, ScienceDirect and Embase databases for relevant reports and bibliographies. Studies were included if of case-control design investigating MLH1 polymorphisms (-93G>A and I219V) and cancer risk with sufficient raw data for analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to evaluate the strength of associations. Results: Our meta-analysis from 33 published case-control studies showed the variant A allele of -93G>A polymorphism to be associated with increased risk in all genetic models (AA vs. GG: OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03-1.44), especially among non-Asians (AA vs. GG: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04-1.58). For the I219V polymorphism, however, there was no main effect associated with overall cancer risk in any genetic model. Conclusions: The meta-analysis suggested that the MLH1 -93G>A polymorphism may be a biomarker of cancer susceptibility. Large sample association studies and assessment of gene-to-gene as well as gene-to-environment interactions are required to confirm these findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3275-3279
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• 2013

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) plays a very important role in the development and progression of cancer. Many epidemiological studies have evaluated associations between the TNF-${\alpha}$ 238 G/A polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk, but the published data are inconclusive. Therefore, we performed the present meta-analysis. Methods: Electronic searches of several databases were conducted for all publications on the association between TNF-${\alpha}$ 238 G/A polymorphism and HCC through July 2012. Asummary odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate the strength of this association. Results: Eleven case-control studies with a total of 1,572 HCC cases and 1,875 controls were finally included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the TNF-${\alpha}$ 238 G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in three genetic comparison models (For A versus G: OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.04-1.69, P = 0.02, $I_2$ = 40%; for AG versus GG: OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.02-1.71, P = 0.03, $I_2$ = 40%; for AA/AG versus GG: OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.03-1.72, P = 0.03, $I_2$ = 41%) when all studies were pooled. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity further showed that there was a significant association between the TNF-${\alpha}$ 238 G/A polymorphism and risk of HCC in Asians under three genetic comparison models (For A versus G: OR 1.30, 95%CI 1.00-1.68, P = 0.05, $I_2$ = 45% for AA/AG versus GG: OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.00-1.71, P = 0.05, $I_2$ = 46%). Conclusions: This meta-analysis provided convincing evidence that the TNF-${\alpha}$ 238 G/A polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to HCC. However, more well-designed studies with large sample size are needed to validate this association in Caucasians.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.522-559
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• 2018

In this study, we reviewed and analyzed the influencing factors of technology transfer performance in the previous studies (52 domestic journals and theses) and classified the various influencing factors into 6 top factors and 13 sub-factors based on the theoretical background. The study results of previous articles were analyzed by meta-analysis method so as to calculate the overall average effect size of influencing factors of technology transfer performance. As the result, the overall effect size (ESr) calculated through meta-analysis applying random effect model is .269, which corresponds to the medium effect size. By comparing effect sizes of influencing factors, the four(4) key influencing factors were also identified, which are 'number of researchers', 'dedicated organization', 'possess technology', and 'external cooperation'. The technology transfer performance are divided into three types: the number of technology transfers, technology transfer income, and other technology transfer performances. The major influencing factors of each type are derived through meta-analysis at the sub-category level. As moderator variables, the paper type and the data type were analyzed but no significant results were obtained. Since this research is limited to the technology transfer, it is necessary to carry out the study related to the influencing factors on the technology commercialization as following study.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.377-387
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• 1997

Primary fluorescence characteristics of ten standard solutions of organophosphates, sea water, and water from agricultural land were investigated by fluorescence contour. All the standard solutions of organophosphates has shown characteristics countours. Their emission maxima were shown between 296 nm and 437 nm. According to their numbers of emission maxima on the fluorescence contours, the organophosphates can be categorized in two different groups. Ateric and Diazinon are the first group with two emission maxima. DDVP with other seven standard organophosphates belong to the second group. The second group has two subgroups. One is characterized by the similar emission and excitation maxima, which are 310 nm and 280 nm, respectively. Those are DDVP, Hinosan, Kitazin, Locsion, Meta. The other sub-group shows quite different emission and excitation maxima from the first sub-group. They are Monopho, Thaconyl and Gropho and their emisson maxima were in far longer (437 nm) or shorter wavelength (296 nm). From agricutural samples, one of the investigated organophosphates was detetected by its characteristic retention time $(t_r=12min)$. HPIC-fluorescence data gave an additional parameter for differentiation between two organophosphates which has similar excitation and emission maxima.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.13-24
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical basis for future studies by systematically integrating existing empirical studies that examine the relationship between the entrepreneurs' competencies and business performance. As the results of empirical studies examining the relationship between the entrepreneurs' competencies and business performance are mixed, this study tries to derive different results from individual studies through meta-analysis into standardized statistics(effect sizes). To accomplish the purpose, this study developed hypotheses about the positive effects of the entrepreneurial competencies including opportunity recognition competency, managerial competency, technical-functional competency, strategic competency, and relationship competencies on the business performance through theoretical reviews of the literature. Also, this study conducted meta-analysis with 15 sample data using open source based statistical program 'R'. The results of this study are as follows. The opportunity recognition competency, managerial competency, technical-functional competency, strategic competency, and relationship competency were found to significantly affect financial business performance. Also, each of the factors had a moderate effect size on the performance. Among these competencies, the most effective factor was the strategic competency, followed by the opportunity recognition competency, technical-functional competency, and relationship competency. There is still no study using meta-analysis on the relationship between the entrepreneurs' competencies and business performance in South Korea. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to provide implications for developing the theoretical basis of future studies.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.875-883
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• 2018

This study examined overall effect of STEAM programs on student learning through meta-analysis of journal articles published for the past six years. We examined the areas of effects that the research tested and analyzed overall effect across the research. We first identified academic journal articles that utilized quasi-experimental design in examining STEAM effects on student learning and presented appropriate data for meta-analysis such as effect size. A total of 63 articles were identified to be appropriate for meta-analysis. Using R packages, we first identified outliers and eliminated them in the analysis of mean effect size. Thus, 172 effect sizes from 60 studies were analyzed. The results showed that the mean effect was medium (effect size = 0.52). Analysis showed that moderators of the effect were affective measures, thinking skills, character measures, and career aspirations, which meant the studies that measured these variables had more effect than achievement measures. On the other hand, the school level (elementary, middle, and high school), the absence or presence of student products as program requirements, hours of intervention, and sample size did not moderate the effect. Thus, regardless of these variables STEAM programs produced medium effect in general. Based on these results, further research areas and topics are suggested.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.542-558
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of Yigong-san on anorexia in children by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Eleven electronic databases were searched on May 30, 2022 to collect relevant studies. All studies published up to the search date were considered. RCTs reporting the effect of Yigong-san on the treatment of anorexia in children were included. The primary outcome was an improvement in clinical anorexia symptoms after treatment. In this meta-analysis, continuous and binary outcomes were assessed, and the data were presented as the mean difference and risk ratio with their 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Results: A total of nine studies were included in this systematic review. The treatment group (Yigong-san only or Yigong-san plus conventional treatment) showed a statistically significant effect compared to the control group (conventional treatment only) in total effective rate (Yigong-san only: RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.17, 1.36, I²=0%; Yigong-san plus conventional treatment: RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18, 1.47, I²=0%), clinical symptoms, some of the anthropometric outcomes, and biological markers related to appetite and growth in children with anorexia. No serious adverse events related to Yigong-san were reported. Conclusions: Yigong-san showed statistically significant effects as a treatment for anorexia in children. However, the number of studies included in the meta-analysis was insufficient, and the herbs contained in the Yigong-san used in the included studies were not standardized. Future research should focus on the implementation of methodologically robust clinical research.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2024

Purpose: A 2-dose varicella vaccination strategy has been introduced in many countries worldwide, aiming to increase vaccine effectiveness (VE) against varicella infection. In this network meta-analysis, we aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation and an overall estimated effect of varicella vaccination strategies, via a Bayesian model. Methods: For each eligible study, we collected trial characteristics, such as: 1-dose vs. 2-dose, demographic characteristics, and outcomes of interest. For studies involving different doses, we aggregated the data for the same number of doses delivered into one arm. The preventive effect of 1-dose vs. 2-dose of varicella vaccine were evaluated in terms of the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding equal-tailed 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: A total of 903 studies were retrieved during our literature search, and 25 interventional or observational studies were selected for the Bayesian network meta-analysis. A total of 49,265 observed individuals were included in this network meta-analysis. Compared to the 0-dose control group, the OR of all varicella infections were 0.087 (95% CI, 0.046-0.164) and 0.310 (95% CI, 0.198-0.484) for 2-doses and one-dose, respectively, which corresponded to VE of 69.0% (95% CI, 51.6-81.2) and VE of 91.3% (95% CI, 83.6-95.4) for 1- and 2-doses, respectively. Conclusions: A 2-dose vaccine strategy was able to significantly reduce varicella burden. The effectiveness of 2-dose vaccination on reducing the risk of infection was demonstrated by sound statistical evidence, which highlights the public health need for a 2-dose vaccine recommendation.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1240-1252
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• 2021

Objective: To compare the accuracy for detecting breast cancer in the diagnostic setting between the use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), defined as DBT alone or combined DBT and digital mammography (DM), and the use of DM alone through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Cochrane Library and five Korean local databases were searched for articles published until March 25, 2020. We selected studies that reported diagnostic accuracy in women who were recalled after screening or symptomatic. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. A bivariate random effects model was used to estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity. We compared the diagnostic accuracy between DBT and DM alone using meta-regression and subgroup analyses by modality of intervention, country, existence of calcifications, breast density, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category threshold, study design, protocol for participant sampling, sample size, reason for diagnostic examination, and number of readers who interpreted the studies. Results: Twenty studies (n = 44513) that compared DBT and DM alone were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-0.93) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.84-0.94), respectively, for DBT, which were higher than 0.76 (95% CI 0.68-0.83) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.73-0.89), respectively, for DM alone (p < 0.001). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.97) for DBT and 0.86 (95% CI 0.82-0.88) for DM alone. The higher sensitivity and specificity of DBT than DM alone were consistently noted in most subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Conclusion: Use of DBT was more accurate than DM alone for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Women with clinical symptoms or abnormal screening findings could be more effectively evaluated for breast cancer using DBT, which has a superior diagnostic performance compared to DM alone.