Lack of associations between genetic polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 and pancreatic cancer risk: a multi-institutional case-control study in Japan.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the role of genetic polymorphisms in tobacco carcinogen-metabolizing genes and their interactions with smoking in a hospital-based case-control study of Japanese subjects.

Materials And Methods: We examine the associations of pancreatic cancer risk with genetic polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1, phase II enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of toxic and carcinogenic electrophilic molecules. The study population consisted of 360 patients and 400 control subjects, who were recruited from several medical facilities in Japan.

Association between variations in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene and pancreatic cancer risk: a case-control study in Japan.

Background: It is clear that genetic variations in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene affect body mass index and the risk of obesity. Given the mounting evidence showing a positive association between obesity and pancreatic cancer, this study aimed to investigate the relation between variants in the FTO gene, obesity and pancreatic cancer risk.

Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in Japan to investigate whether genetic variations in the FTO gene were associated with pancreatic cancer risk.

Active and passive smoking and risk of death from pancreatic cancer: findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study.

Background: There is uncertainty in the risk of pancreatic cancer with particular aspects of smoking, such as a dose-response relationship and cumulative amount, in Japanese men and women. Very few studies have addressed the role of passive smoking in pancreatic cancer among Japanese women.

Methods: We examined the association between active or passive smoking and the risk of death from pancreatic cancer using data from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study.

A prospective cohort study of shift work and the risk of death from pancreatic cancer in Japanese men.

Purpose: There is mounting evidence that shift work involving night work increases cancer risk. We examined the relationship between working rotating shifts and the risk of death from pancreatic cancer on the basis of data from the Japanese Collaborative Cohort Study (JACC Study).

Methods: The present analysis was restricted to 22,224 men who were 40-65 years of age at baseline (1988-1990) and who reported working full time or were self-employed in the JACC Study.

Multilocus sequence typing of DNA from faecal specimens for the analysis of intra-familial transmission of Helicobacter pylori.

This study used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of total DNA extracted from faecal specimens to genotype Helicobacter pylori to analyse intra-familial transmission. Faecal DNA was extracted and amplified by nested PCR. The products were analysed by direct sequencing and the allele type was determined using an MLST website.

Effect of coffee consumption on all-cause and total cancer mortality: findings from the JACC study.

Coffee consumption is known to be related to various health conditions. Recently, its antioxidant effects have been suggested to be associated with all-cause or cancer mortality by various cohort studies. However, there has been only one small Asian cohort study that has assessed this association.

Reduced serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (sVEGFR-2) and sVEGFR-1 levels in gastric cancer patients.

The relationship between gastric cancer and serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and sVEGFR-2, which are soluble form receptor proteins of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has not been extensively studied. VEGF, sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 were measured in the sera obtained before surgical operation from 164 gastric cancer patients and from 164 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Compared with controls, the cases showed elevated VEGF (P < 0.

Number of children and all-cause mortality risk: results from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study.

Background: The mean total birth rate of the world had been gradually decreasing, with the rate in Japan now at its lowest level internationally. From a public health perspective, it is important to determine the impact of the number of children on all-cause mortality.

Methods: A total of 96,311 individuals from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study were followed from 1988-90 for an average of 14.

An overview of genetic polymorphisms and pancreatic cancer risk in molecular epidemiologic studies.

Background: Although pancreatic cancer has been extensively studied, few risk factors have been identified, and no validated biomarkers or screening tools exist for early detection in asymptomatic individuals. We present a broad overview of molecular epidemiologic studies that have addressed the relationship between pancreatic cancer risk and genetic polymorphisms in several candidate genes and suggest avenues for future research.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using the PubMed database.

Impact of smoking and other lifestyle factors on life expectancy among japanese: findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study.

Background: A number of lifestyle factors, including smoking and drinking, are known to be independently associated with all-cause mortality. However, it might be more effective in motivating the public to adopt a healthier lifestyle if the combined effect of several lifestyle factors on all-cause mortality could be demonstrated in a straightforward manner.

Methods: We examined the combined effects of 6 healthy lifestyle behaviors on all-cause mortality by estimating life expectancies at 40 and 60 years of age among 62 106 participants in a prospective cohort study with a 14.

Serum soluble fas levels and superoxide dismutase activity and the risk of death from pancreatic cancer: A nested case-control study within the Japanese Collaborative Cohort Study.

In a search for novel circulating biomarkers for pancreatic cancer, we examined the association between serum soluble Fas (sFas) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the risk of death from pancreatic cancer in a nested case-control study within the Japanese Collaborative Cohort Study. Case subjects were 68 persons who were free of morbidity, had provided a blood sample at baseline (1988-1990), and subsequently died from pancreatic cancer before December 31, 1997. Control subjects were 199 matched persons who were selected from the remaining participants in the cohort.

Lack of association between risk of biliary tract cancer and circulating IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor) -I, IGF-II or IGFBP-3 (IGF-binding Protein-3): A nested case-control study in a large scale cohort study in Japan.

Biliary tract cancer, encompassing gallbladder and bile duct cancers, has a poor prognosis, but little is known of the etiology. A nested case-control study was here conducted to evaluate the association between serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 and death from biliary tract cancer. In a large scale cohort study, 35 gallbladder and 42 bile duct cancers were observed during the follow-up.

Relationship of soluble fas with body mass index in healthy Japanese adults.

Recent studies have linked elevated serum sFas levels to atherosclerotic disease among patients. Confirming an association between obesity and serum sFas levels in healthy subjects would facilitate our understanding of obesity and its related disorders. We therefore analyzed serum sFas levels of 8,541 subjects selected as controls for a nested case-control study within the JACC Study.

Relationship of sFas with metabolic risk factors and their clusters.

Background: Metabolic risk factors are known to cause atherosclerosis through inflammation. In the process of inflammation, soluble Fas (sFas) may interfere with the apoptotic pathway and contribute to dysregulated inflammation. Recent studies suggest sFas as a marker of inflammation in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Variations in serum transforming growth factor-beta1 levels with gender, age and lifestyle factors of healthy Japanese adults.

Elevated serum or plasma Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) {levels have been} linked to cancer and other diseases in numerous studies; however, very few studies have reported an association between circulating TGF-beta1 and lifestyle factors in healthy people. We examined the association between serum TGF-beta1 levels and gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and drinking in a large population-based cohort study (N =9,142). Serum TGF-beta1 levels were {detected by the Quantikine enzyme-linked immunoassay kit (R&D Systems).

Cigarette smoking and serum soluble Fas levels: Findings from the JACC study.

Cigarette smoking enhances low-grade systemic inflammation in the lung and other organs. Activated immune cells play an important role at early and late stages of inflammation, and in recent years, soluble Fas (sFas), an isoform of death molecule Fas, was found to interfere with the apoptotic pathways of these activated immune cells. The aim of this study was to confirm the association between cigarette smoking and sFas levels in healthy male subjects.

BMI and all-cause mortality among Japanese older adults: findings from the Japan collaborative cohort study.

The association between BMI and all-cause mortality may vary with gender, age, and ethnic groups. However, few prospective cohort studies have reported the relationship in older Asian populations. We evaluated the association between BMI and all-cause mortality in a cohort comprised 26,747 Japanese subjects aged 65-79 years at baseline (1988-1990).

Cancer deaths in a cohort of Japanese barbers in Aichi Prefecture.

Barbers have frequent occasion to come in contact with hair and beauty products that contain many chemical substances, which could have harmful effects on health. Subjects were barbers belonging to the Barbers' Union of Aichi Prefecture who responded to a questionnaire in 1976. Deaths from all sites of cancers in the subjects were observed over 27 years.

Lack of association between serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 and cancer mortality risk in a nested case-control study in Japan.

We examined the potential role of serum TGF-beta 1 levels to predict cancer mortality risk in a nested case-control study within a large prospective cohort of middle-aged and elderly Japanese subjects. The cases were 893 persons who provided blood samples at baseline and subsequently died of cancer from all sites during the follow-up period. A total of 2,824 subjects were selected from the main study as controls, matched with the cases for sex, age and study area.

Healthy lifestyle and preventable death: findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of baseline combination of 6 lifestyle factors on all-cause mortality.

Methods: A total of 62,106 Japanese men and women aged 40-79 years were followed for 12.5 years on average.

Soluble Fas level and cancer mortality: findings from a nested case-control study within a large-scale prospective study.

Soluble Fas (sFas) is known to play an important role in the development of cancers of various sites. To confirm whether or not the serum sFas level can be a predictor of cancer, we conducted a nested case-control study within a large-scale population-based cohort study in Japan. Serum samples were collected from 39,242 participants (13,839 men and 25,403 women) at baseline, all of whom were followed until 1997 for mortality and until 1994 for cancer incidence.

Green tea consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer in Japanese adults.

Objective: Green tea polyphenols have been shown to inhibit tumor growth in animal and in vitro studies. We examined the relationship between green tea consumption and the risk of death from pancreatic cancer in a large Japanese cohort.

Methods: At baseline (1988-1990), study participants reported the frequency and amount of green tea consumption during the past year.

Cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and the risk of gallbladder cancer death: a prospective cohort study in Japan.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis, and few risk factors have been identified to date. This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the association of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption with the risk of gallbladder cancer death. A baseline survey in 45 areas throughout Japan was conducted from 1988 to 1990 using a self-administered questionnaire, and a total of 113,496 participants (65,740 women) aged 40-89 years at entry were followed for 15 years.

Obesity, physical activity and the risk of pancreatic cancer in a large Japanese cohort.

It is unclear whether body mass index (BMI) and physical activity are associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer in Asian populations. We examined these associations in the Japanese Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk. Our cohort study included 110,792 Japanese men and women at enrollment (1988-1990).

Dietary habits and pancreatic cancer risk in a cohort of middle-aged and elderly Japanese.

Few epidemiological studies have examined associations between diet and pancreatic cancer in Japan. In the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk, we evaluated the relationship between dietary factors, including meat, vegetable, and fruit intake, and the risk of pancreatic cancer deaths. Among the original cohort established between 1988 and 1990, 46,465 men and 64,327 women aged 40-79 yr were followed-up through December 31,1999.