Japan Research Articles

Healthy Japanese dietary pattern is associated with slower biological aging in older men: WASEDA’S health study

Aging is the greatest risk factor for numerous diseases and mortality, and establishing geroprotective interventions targeting aging is required. Previous studies have suggested that healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, are associated with delayed biological aging; however, these associations depend on nationality and sex. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns identified through principal component analysis and biological aging in older men of Japan, one of the countries with the longest life expectancies. Principal component analysis identified two dietary patterns: a healthy Japanese dietary pattern and a Western-style dietary pattern. Eight epigenetic clocks, some of the most accurate aging biomarkers, were identified using DNA methylation data from whole-blood samples. Correlation analyses revealed that healthy Japanese dietary patterns were significantly negatively or positively correlated with multiple epigenetic age accelerations (AgeAccel), including AgeAccelGrim, FitAgeAccel, and age-adjusted DNAm-based telomere length (DNAmTLAdjAge). Conversely, the Western-style dietary pattern was observed not to correlate significantly with any of the examined AgeAccels or age-adjusted values. After adjusting for covariates, the healthy Japanese dietary pattern remained significantly positively correlated with DNAmTLAdjAge. Regression analysis showed that healthy Japanese dietary pattern contributed less to epigenetic age acceleration than smoking status. These findings suggest that a Western-style dietary pattern may not be associated with biological aging, whereas a healthy Japanese dietary pattern is associated with delayed biological aging in older Japanese men. Our findings provide evidence that healthy dietary patterns may have mild beneficial effects on delayed biological aging in older Japanese men.

Phase I Study of Tivozanib Eye Drops in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PurposeTo evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory efficacy of tivozanib eye drops in healthy volunteers and patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). DesignThis multicenter, group-sequential dose escalation phase 1 study consisted of a placebo-controlled, double-masked study of healthy volunteers (Cohorts 1 and 2) and an open-label study of nAMD patients (Cohort 3). ParticipantsHealthy volunteers: Japanese or White men aged 20 to <50 years. Patients with nAMD with central subfield thickness ≥300 μm and best-corrected visual acuity score ≥23 letters in the study eye. MethodsIn the single-dose cohort of healthy men (Cohort 1: Steps 1–5), 1 or 2 tivozanib eye drops (30 μL/drop, 5-minute interval; 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 w/v%) or placebo were administered in 1 eye once. In the multiple-dose cohort of healthy men (Cohort 2: Steps 1–6), 1 or 2 tivozanib eye drops (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 w/v%) or placebo were administered 3 times daily (TID) in 1 eye for 21 days. In the multiple-dose cohort of nAMD patients (Cohort 3, Steps 1–3), 1 or 2 tivozanib eye drops (0.5 and 1.0 w/v%) were administered TID in 1 affected eye for 21 days. Main Outcome MeasuresThe safety outcome measures included adverse events (AEs). The pharmacokinetic outcome was serum tivozanib concentration. Among the exploratory efficacy outcomes, central subfield thickness (CST) was evaluated. ResultsIn total, 40, 48, and 28 participants were enrolled in Cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Serious AEs did not occur in Cohorts 1–3. The most frequent AE in multiple-dose cohorts was reversible punctate keratitis: placebo arm, 8.3% (healthy men, 1/12); tivozanib arm, 47.2% (healthy men, 17/36) and 14.3% (nAMD, 4/28). Serum tivozanib exposure increased dose-dependently and was similar in healthy men and patients with nAMD. In patients with nAMD, mean CST changes from baseline to Day 22 were −27.6 ± 54.88 (0.5 w/v%; 1 drop, TID), −35.6 ± 49.64 (1.0 w/v%; 1 drop, TID), and −43.7 ± 55.19 μm (1.0 w/v%; 2 drops, TID). ConclusionsTivozanib eye drops showed a favorable safety profile in healthy Japanese and White men and Japanese patients with nAMD.

How Art Has Been a Window to the Post-War Generation in Japan

In this research, our primary focus revolves around the role of art as a lens through which we can examine the impact of World War II on Japanese citizens, with a particular emphasis on the post-war generation. Two renowned Japanese contemporary artists, Nara Yoshimoto and Takashi Murakami, are central to our study. While their artworks may not seem directly related to the war at first glance, a closer examination reveals that both artists use metaphorical expressions to convey the fear and aftermath of the war. Through this study, I also found that both artists experienced the war's effects during childhood due to the bombings that marked its conclusion. This analysis explores how the Japanese perceive themselves in the aftermath of the war. Rather than addressing the topic directly, they often employ metaphorical references. The significance of this study lies in shedding light on the indirect ways in which the Japanese people reflect on their post-war identity and the lasting impact of World War II.

Redesigning Municipal Waste Collection for Aging and Shrinking Communities

Due to aging and depopulation, cities in Japan struggle to maintain their municipal waste collection services. These challenges were exacerbated by the pandemic. To overcome these challenges, a prototype of collective and contactless waste collection technology has been developed. However, its acceptance by society is unknown. In this study, we surveyed Japanese people’s preferences regarding household waste disposal. The results showed that older adults (older than 60) are willing to walk longer (more than 2 min) to carry their waste to the disposal site than younger adults. They are also less concerned about the risk of disease infection from touching other people’s garbage than younger respondents (at a 0.24 count ratio). Other significant findings are that people who live alone prefer the temporary disposal site to be placed more than one minute away from their house (at a 0.19 count ratio). People living alone also produce less plastic and packaging waste than larger households. With more Japanese older adults living alone because of the scarcity of older-adult care facilities, we proposed two waste collection strategies that can allow for the implementation of more collective and automatized contactless waste pickup technology. Each design poses different challenges, such as the need for residents’ cooperation and a higher energy supply. However, they also open new opportunities, such as encouraging active aging and using renewable energy.

Second Language Learning Strategy for Young Learners: Learning Hiragana as A Process in Japanese Language Acquisition

Abstract. Learning strategies in the Japanese language for young learners tend to be applied to children in Japanese mixed-married families or foreign children in Japan. However, this study tried to apply a learning strategy for a young learner who does not have a background in the Japanese environment or experience with Japanese people and culture. This study aims to describe a learning strategy by applying mnemonics to young learners in Japanese language acquisition, particularly in the Japanese character Hiragana. This research used qualitative descriptive design, with research instruments that include researchers, observation forms, and literature sources. The data collected in this study were analyzed using an interpretive approach. This study used a mnemonics-based digital tool application was used to assist the young learner in learning the Japanese character, Hiragana. This study shows that mnemonics can improve young learners' Hiragana acquisition. Learning strategy by applying mnemonics helps the young learner memorize each character and improves associative skills and Japanese vocabulary as a language acquisition process. Some characters are similar and confusing for beginners, and some Japanese characters do not exist in Indonesian, which makes it difficult for learners to pronounce them. The application greatly helps the subject memorize each character and improves associative skills and Japanese vocabulary as a language acquisition process. Through continuous reading practice, the subject can distinguish almost similar characters and help pronounce vocabulary. This application is very effective for parents who want to introduce Hiragana characters to young learners, with intensive reading practice and creating an environment that uses Hiragana.Keywords: learning strategy, mnemonics, Hiragana, young learner, language acquisition

Isolation and characterization of a novel Waltera species and reclassification of Brotolimicola acetigignens Hitch et al. 2022 as Waltera acetigignens comb. nov.

Obligately anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative, wavy rods, strains 17YCFAHCo10, 18YCFAH0.3Co2 and 19YCFAH0.3Co2, were isolated from faecal samples of healthy Japanese people. The three isolates showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Waltera intestinalis WCA3-601-WT-6HT (99.2-100 %) and Brotolimicola acetigignens f_CXYT (99.2-99.7 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the three isolates formed a cluster with W. intestinalis WCA3-601-WT-6HT. Strain 19YCFAH0.3Co2 formed a subcluster with the type strain of W. intestinalis and did not form a cluster with the other two isolates. B. acetigignens f_CXYT also formed a cluster with W. intestinalis WCA3-601-WT-6HT and three isolates. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain 19YCFAH0.3Co2 and W. intestinalis WCA3-601-WT-6HT were higher (72 % dDDH and 97 % ANI) than the cut-off values for species delimitation, indicating that strain 19YCFAH0.3Co2 is W. intestinalis. On the other hand, the dDDH and ANI values between strains 17YCFAHCo10 and 18YCFAH0.3Co2 and the type strain of W. intestinalis were lower (<34 % dDDH and <87 % ANI) than the cut-off values for species delimitation, indicating that these two isolates are different species from W. intestinalis. The percentage of conserved proteins and the average amino acid identity values support the assignment of the isolates to the genus Waltera. Strains 17YCFAHCo10 and 18YCFAH0.3Co2 could be distinguished from W. intestinalis by their inability to ferment melibiose and ribose and lack of activity for β-glucuronidase. In addition, the dDDH and ANI values between two strains (17YCFAHCo10 and 18YCFAH0.3Co2) and B. acetigignens f_CXYT were higher (>78 % dDDH and >97 % ANI), indicating these two strains and B. acetigignens are the same species. As the genus Waltera has priority, B. acetigignens is transferred to the genus Waltera as Waltera acetigignens comb. nov. The type strain of W. acetigignens is f_CXYT (=JCM 34988T=DSM 107528T).

Determining the most appropriate socioeconomic status indicator for describing inequalities in dental visits by Japanese older people.

This study examined the association between various socioeconomic status (SES) indicators and dental visits among older Japanese. When examining health inequalities, an adequate indicator of SES should be applied. In older adults, wealth and pensions are considered more appropriate indicators of SES than education and income, but few studies have examined. This cross-sectional study used data from 12 391 individuals aged 65 years or older from the 2016 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES). The Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and the Relative Index of Inequality (RII) were applied to examine the association of education, income, wealth and pensions with dental visits for treatment and check-up adjusting for covariates. The mean age of the participants was 74.0 ± 6.2 years. In the previous year, 56.3% of participants had visited a dentist for a check-up, and 65.9% had visited for treatment. Inequalities in dental treatment visits were observed for wealth, pensions and income rather than education. Income was not significantly associated with check-up visits. Wealth showed the largest association with dental visits for treatment [(SII 0.09, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.13), (RII 1.14, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.21)] and check-up [(SII 0.08, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.12), (RII 1.16, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.23)]. When measuring inequalities in access to dental care among the older population, wealth and pensions could be important indicators of SES.

A randomized, double-blind trial assessing the efficacy and safety of two doses of dulaglutide in Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes (AWARD-JPN).

To assess the efficacy and safety of dulaglutide 1.5 mg versus dulaglutide 0.75 mg in Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A Phase 3, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted in Japanese participants aged ≥20 years, with T2D for ≥6 months and inadequate glycaemic control, while on a single oral antihyperglycaemic medication (NCT04809220). The primary objective was to evaluate superiority of dulaglutide 1.5 mg versus dulaglutide 0.75 mg measured by mean change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to 26 weeks. Other efficacy and safety endpoints were evaluated at 26 and 52 weeks. All statistical analyses were conducted using the intention-to-treat population. Overall, 591 participants were randomized to once-weekly dulaglutide 1.5 mg or 0.75 mg. At Week 26, dulaglutide 1.5 mg was superior to dulaglutide 0.75 mg in HbA1c reduction from baseline (least squares mean [LSM] difference -0.29% [95% confidence interval {CI} -0.43, -0.14]). At Week 52, the dulaglutide 1.5-mg arm had a significantly greater proportion of participants who achieved HbA1c <7.0% (46.3% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.03) and showed significantly greater reduction in fasting serum glucose (LSM difference -9.4 mg/dL [95% CI -14.4, -4.3]; p < 0.001) versus the dulaglutide 0.75-mg arm. No statistically significant change in body weight was observed in either treatment arm. Overall, 442 participants (75.4%) experienced treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Constipation (11.3%), diarrhoea (9.6%) and pyrexia (9.0%) were the most commonly reported TEAEs. Dulaglutide 1.5 mg once weekly demonstrated superior glycaemic control versus dulaglutide 0.75 mg once weekly, with comparable safety and tolerability, in Japanese people with T2D.

Young People’s Interaction with Political Information in Japan

This paper investigated how Japanese young people’s attitudes toward politics and the social environments they are in affect their interaction with political information in their daily life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty people to gather data about their experiences with political information and their attitudes toward politics. The results show that they have mixed feelings about political information, which arise from personal factors but are interrelated with broader social factors. Their attitude, which comprises their sense of remoteness to politics, low political efficacy, and difficulty understanding politics, reduces their interest in knowing political information. Social factors that limit opportunities for political participation and conversation diminish the utility of information and the motivation for seeking information. The habit of monitoring political information, often facilitated by experience watching television news with family, emerges as a factor that can maintain young people’s exposure to political information, regardless of their level of political interest.

Association between education and disability-free life expectancy among Japanese older people: The Ohsaki Cohort 2006 study

BackgroundHigher education level is associated with longer disability-free life expectancy (DFLE). However, evidence is scarce regarding factors that can contribute to eliminating inequality in DFLE according to education level. This study aimed to clarify the association between education and DFLE and estimate whether DFLE in people with lower education may increase to the same level as that in people with higher education through social participation. MethodsWe analyzed data from 13,849 Japanese people aged 65 years and older who participated in a 13-year prospective study. At baseline, we collected information on education levels (low, middle, or high) and social participation. DFLE was defined as the average duration people expect to live without disability. To calculate DFLE for each education level group, the multistate life table method was employed using a Markov model. ResultsAt the age of 65 years, DFLE (95 % confidence interval [CI]) in women with low education was 21.3 years (20.8–21.8) without social participation and 24.3 (23.8–24.9) with social participation. In the middle education group, DFLE was 22.1 (21.6–22.6) without social participation and 25.0 (24.6–25.5) with social participation. In the high education group, DFLE was 22.1 (21.5–22.8) without social participation and 25.5 (25.0–26.0) with social participation. Similar results were found for men. ConclusionsDFLE in people with low or middle education with social participation was almost the same as that in those with high education with social participation, suggesting the possibility that disparities in DFLE by education level could be offset by promoting social participation in older adults.

A new treatment option for complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease patients; development of darvadstrocel (allogeneic expanded adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) in Japan

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory bowel disease affecting the entire gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence of CD among Japanese people is increasing. One of the most frequent complications of CD is perianal fistulas. People living with CD may experience complex perianal fistulas, which can cause intense pain, bleeding, swelling, infection, and anal discharge. Despite medical and surgical advancements, complex perianal fistulas in CD remain challenging for clinicians to treat. CD patients living with perianal fistulas reported a negative impact on many aspects of their quality of life. Darvadstrocel is a cell therapy product containing a suspension of allogeneic expanded adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. It has been approved in Europe and Japan for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas that have shown an inadequate response to at least one conventional or biologic therapy in adult patients with non-active/mildly active luminal CD. By exhibiting immunomodulatory and local anti-inflammatory effects at the site of inflammation, it offers a new treatment option for complex perianal fistulas in CD patients. In this manuscript, the characteristic of darvadstrocel, the summary of results from the pivotal phase 3 studies in Europe and Japan, and the development strategy in Japan were introduced.

Coming to Grips With Benign Prostate Enlargement or Prostate Cancer in Contemporary Japan: Readings From a Cancer-Self.

This article explores how a group of 35 Japanese men comprehend and verbalize the somatic experience embedded in dealing with benign prostate enlargement, or disquiet/discomfort of developing prostate cancer. Grounded in an adaptation of the sexual scripts theorizing, a set of in-depth, semistructured individual interviews were conducted through a LINE-app videocall from 2021 to 2023. Outcomes of interview were analyzed through a conversational approach, and presented by using three axes: the body, gender, and sexuality. An understanding of the Japanese-civilized-self has rendered somatic knowing problematic and pretended ignorance a strategy to deal with conversations about a condition involving the genitals and body waste. The body refers to a cancer-self who copes with ignorance of the prostate's anatomy and physiology, the-mechanics-of-urine, and medication/treatment side-effects. Gender is concerned with a cancer-self who grapples with an ailment that "emasculates the self," and the feminization of care as well as infantilization at medical facilities. Sexuality implies a cancer-self who bears scripts related to asexuality, medication/treatments that affect libido and penile erections, and a tarnished sexual reputation as a "heterosexual man" because prostate stimulation has been associate with homosexuality.

Gender and age variations in the association between multigenerational cohabitation and self-rated health among middle-aged and older adults in Japan.

Despite encouraging multi-generational cohabitation, the population of Japanese people living alone has increased. However, little is known about the association between health and multigenerational cohabitation. This study examined the relationship between self-rated health and living arrangements among Japanese adults using data from the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study (2013-2017). The analysis employed multivariate logistic regression to examine the associations. Our results showed no association between living arrangements and self-rated health when stratified by gender. Living alone was found to be associated with poor self-rated health among women aged 65 and above. A similar association may exist among men in the same age group. Among women aged < 65 years, two-generation cohabitation was associated with a good self-rated health, similar to those living alone. Among men aged < 65 years, neither living alone nor two-generation cohabitation was significantly associated with good self-rated health. We found no association between three- or plus-generation cohabitation and self-rated health. Therefore, our findings indicate associations between multigenerational cohabitation and self-rated health, but they vary by gender and age. Invested stakeholders in the public health field should consider the potential impact of living arrangements on health based on gender and age.

접경지 동래부를 읽는 방법, 왜관 밖에서 만난 일본인

접경지 동래부를 읽는 방법, 왜관 밖에서 만난 일본인

Validity and Reproducibility of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Dietary Assessment in Japanese People.

A 76-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed to investigate nutritional epidemiology in urban residents in Japan. The authors prepared two food models-a life-size three-dimensional model and a life-size two-dimensional photograph-to assess the FFQ portion size. The validity of the FFQ was verified using the two food models by comparing them with 16-d weighted dietary records (WDRs). Validation was conducted by comparing the FFQ1 findings with those obtained with the WDR, which is regarded as the gold standard, and reproducibility was verified by comparing the findings from FFQ2 and FFQ1. After completion of the WDR, the participants were randomized into two groups. In one group, the FFQ was conducted using life-size three-dimensional models (3D-FFQ) to estimate the portion size. In the other group, the FFQ was administered using life-size photo collection (2D-FFQ). Regarding validity, the median values (range) of Pearson's correlation coefficients for the energy and nutrient intake of the 32 items by the WDR and FFQ1 were r=0.53 (0.30-0.68) in the 3D-FFQ and r=0.57 (0.33-0.87) in the 2D-FFQ. When FFQs with 2D or 3D food models and two different portion sizes were compared with regard to the intake of certain food groups, energy, and nutrients, both the 2D-FFQ and 3D-FFQ provided good correlation coefficients with the WDR.

Association of Habitual Green Tea Consumption with Sarcopenia Assessed Using SARC-F in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To ascertain whether habitual green tea consumption is associated with sarcopenia among Japanese older adults, using the screening tool for sarcopenia (SARC-F). This cross-sectional study in Mukawa, Hokkaido, Japan, was conducted between June and September 2022 and included 364 Japanese participants older than 65 y. Habitual green tea consumption and energy intake were ascertained using a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Sarcopenia was evaluated using the SARC-F. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of sarcopenia risk across participant tertiles of green tea consumption, with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, living alone, habitual exercise, walking hours, current smoking status, current alcohol consumption status, energy intake, protein intake, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. In this study of 364 participants (154 men and 210 women), the prevalence of sarcopenia risk was 9.3%. The multivariable-adjusted OR [95% CI] of green tea consumption for ≥1 cup/d compared with that of <1 cup/wk of sarcopenia was 0.312 [0.129-0.752]. Higher habitual green tea consumption was inversely associated with sarcopenia among Japanese older adults. Further longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.

Coronary artery stenosis in Japanese people living with HIV-1 with or without haemophilia.

An extremely high prevalence (12.2%) of moderate-to-severe coronary artery stenosis (CAS) was documented in asymptomatic Japanese haemophiliacs living with HIV-1 (JHLH) in our previous study. The cause of this phenomenon remains unknown. We conducted the CAS screening in people living with HIV-1 without haemophilia (PLWH without haemophilia) to compare the prevalence of CAS in JHLH and PLWH without haemophilia and to identify the risk factors including inflammation markers. Ninety-seven age-matched male PLWH without haemophilia who consulted our outpatient clinic between June and July 2021 were randomly selected, and 69 patients who provided informed consent were screened for CAS using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The number of JHLH cases was 62 in this study. The prevalence of moderate (> 50%) to severe (> 75%) CAS was significantly higher in JHLH [14/57 (24.6%) vs. 6/69 (8.7%), p = 0.015], and the ratio of CAS requiring urgent interventions was significantly higher [7 (12.3%) vs. 1 (1.4%), p = 0.013] in JHLH than in PLWH without haemophilia. Among the inflammatory markers, serum titres of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.05) and interleukin-6 (p < 0.05) in JHLH were significantly higher than those in PLWH without haemophilia. Although some patient demographics were different in the age-matched study, it might be possible to speculate that intravascular inflammation might promote CAS in JHLH.

Are higher protein intake and distribution of protein intake related to higher appendicular muscle mass among an older Japanese population?: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2017.

Protein intake is an important component in retaining muscle mass, especially among older people. This study examined the relationship between total protein intake and/or the distribution of protein intake in each meal and appendicular muscle mass, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS) in Japan. Data from the NHNS were re-analyzed in this study. We used data from a one-day dietary record, physical examination, and lifestyle questionnaire completed by 1766 participants aged over 60 years. Appendicular muscle mass was assessed by multiple-frequency bioimpedance measurement. Leucine intake was calculated by the weighted average amino acid content from all 98 food subcategories used in the NHNS, based on amino acid composition data in the 2020 Standard Tables of Food Composition. Participants with higher protein intake showed significantly higher appendicular muscle mass. This relationship was independent of physical activity, including steps taken per day, exercise habit, and physical labor. Frequent intake of ≥0.4 g protein/kg/meal was not related to appendicular muscle mass. The combination of higher total protein intake and higher physical activity seemed to have the largest association with appendicular muscle mass. Higher protein intake may be related to higher appendicular muscle mass, independent of higher physical activity, among older Japanese people. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 634-640.

Association between being breastfed in infancy and adult colorectal cancer risk among Japanese men and women

It has been postulated that being breastfed in infancy affects not only health status in childhood but also disease risk in adulthood. To investigate the association of being breastfed with the risks of adult colorectal cancer and benign tumor, we conducted a case–control study including 1190 colorectal cancer and 1585 benign tumor cases and 5301 controls, admitted to a single hospital in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, between 1997 and 2013. History of having been breastfed was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, and odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. There was no association between being breastfed and colorectal cancer risk (breastfed versus formula-only fed, OR = 1.21; 95% CI 0.87–1.67). There was also no association with the risk of benign tumor (OR = 1.04). On the other hand, analyses stratified by sex and birth year found heterogeneous associations. Women born after 1950 who had been breastfed tended to have increased risks of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.58) and benign tumor (OR = 1.51) relative to those who had been formula-only fed, although not statistically significant. In men born after 1950, being breastfed was associated with a significantly decreased risk of benign tumor (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.33–0.98).

Financial Integration of the European, North America, Asiatic and Japanese stock markets from 2003 to present times

We apply an integration/segmentation analysis between the European (EU) market and the North America stock market (US and Canada), the Asian Stock Market (AS) and the Japanese (JP) market. The analysis is carried out from 2003 until the present time. We apply the Jorion and Schwartz (1986) methodology and extend the work of Brooks et al. (2009) using a simpler Capital Asset Price Model (CAPM) and the Market return downloaded from the Fama French website for the time period analysed. Our results in this empirical study show integration between the European portfolios and the US stock market and the Asian Portfolios and the US stock market in the full time period analysed. Although the methods applied in this paper have been already introduced in the literature, this is the first time that they are applied systematically to compare the integration and segmentation between different economies and a given portfolio set. This systematic approach helps to establish the conclusiveness of their forecasts.