bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Sexual Problems and Its Association with Social, Psychological and Physical Factors among Men in a Malaysian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Quek Kia Fatt , Sallam Atiya Abdul , Ng Chai Heng , Chua Chong Beng 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Sexual problems are common in the general population. Studies have shown that most of these sexual problems are related to their social lives, medical illnesses, and psychological status. Among the sexual problems in men, premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most frequent, yet it is the least well-understood of the sexual dysfunctions of men.

Aim
To determine the prevalence of sexual problem particularly PE and erectile dysfunction (ED) among people living in urban areas and to investigate the characteristics associated with these sexual problems in a Malaysian population.

Main Outcome Measure
The PE which is defined as an intravaginal ejaculation latency time less than 2 minutes was assessed in the ED and non-ED group.

Methods
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale is used as a measure of the psychological status [30]. The ED status was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire.

Results
The prevalence of self-reported sexual problems for ED and PE were 41.6% and 22.3%, respectively. In those subjects with ED, 33.5% reported to have PE. Of the total of 430 subjects, anxiety was present in 8.1%, while depression was 5.3%. The prevalence of PE accounted for 25% anxiety and 14.6% for depression respectively in the population. EDs were associated with diabetes and hypertension (OR [95% CI]: 5.33 [2.33, 10.16], 3.40 [1.76, 6.57], P &lt;0.05), respectively, while factors associated with PE were anxiety and depression (OR [95% CI]: 1.29 [0.68, 2.45], 1.39 [0.69, 2.78]), respectively.

Conclusion
Prevalence of ED is associated with medical symptoms such as diabetes and hypertension and a rise in the prevalence of age while psychological distress such as anxiety and depression also contribute to a higher PE rate.
Repair of large periapical radiolucent lesions of endodontic origin without surgical treatment
Authors: Broon Norberto Juárez , Bortoluzzi Eduardo Antunes , Bramante Clovis Monteiro 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to present two case reports of pulp necrosis and radiolucent periapical lesions, which were treated without surgical treatment. The first was a mandibular molar with periapical lesion of endodontic origin extending towards the furcation in a 20‐year‐old woman, and the second affected a maxillary right lateral incisor with a large periapical lesion in a 22‐year‐old woman. The endodontic treatments were carried out in two sessions, with crown‐down instrumentation, irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and intracanal medication with calcium hydroxide paste. After 30 days, the root canals were filled with gutta‐percha and Sealapex® sealer by the lateral condensation technique. The clinical and radiographic examination after 1 year revealed complete repair. The appropriate diagnosis of lesions of endodontic origin and the treatment and obturation of the infected canals allowed complete repair of these large radiolucent periapical lesions without surgical treatment.
Comparison of the percentage of gutta‐percha‐filled area obtained by Thermafil and System B
Authors: De‐Deus G. , Maniglia‐Ferreira C.M. , Gurgel‐Filho E.D. , Paciornik S. , Machado A.C.R. , Coutinho‐Filho T. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the percentage of gutta‐percha‐filled area (GPFA) obtained by Thermafil and System B techniques using light microscopy and digital image processing. Forty‐five human mandibular first molars were prepared and obturated as follows: Group 1: lateral condensation (n = 15); Group 2: System B (n = 15); and Group 3: Thermafil system (n = 15). Horizontal sections were cut 4 and 6 mm from the apical foramen of each tooth. The samples were metallographically prepared and taken through photomicrographs. Using digital analysis, the cross‐sectional area of the canal and the gutta‐percha areas were measured. The GPFA data obtained for the three groups were analysed using the non‐parametric Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed‐Ranks tests. Significant differences were found between Group 3 and Group 2–Group 1. No significant difference was found between Group 2 and Group 1. The Thermafil system produced significantly higher GPFAs than lateral condensation and System B techniques (P < 0.01). This result suggests that the Thermafil system can reduce sealer and voids.
Evaluation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution and gel for smear layer removal*
Authors: Dotto Sidney Ricardo , Travassos Rosana Maria Coelho , De Oliveira Elias Pandonor Motcy , De Lima Machado Manoel Eduardo , Martins José Luiz 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the efficacy of 24% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) gel and 17% EDTA solution in cleaning dentine walls after root canal instrumentation. Thirty human canine teeth were divided into three groups of 10 teeth each. In Group 1, 1% sodium hypochlorite was used as the irrigating solution; in Group 2, 1% sodium hypochlorite was used with 17% EDTA solution; and in Group 3, 1% sodium hypochlorite was used with 24% EDTA gel. The presence of a smear layer was analysed after instrumentation using scanning electron microscopy. The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed a statistical difference (P < 0.05) between Groups 1 and 2, and also between Groups 1 and 3. No difference was observed between Groups 2 and 3 (P > 0.05). The results indicate that 1% sodium hypochlorite alone does not remove the smear layer and that there was no statistical difference between EDTA gel and EDTA solution in smear layer removal.
Comparative SEM study of the marginal adaptation of white and grey MTA and Portland cement
Authors: Bidar Maryam , Moradi Saeed , Jafarzadeh Hamid , Bidad Salma 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe use of a suitable substance that prevents egress of potential contaminants into the periapical tissues is important in endodontic surgery. The aim of the present study was to compare the marginal adaptation of three root‐end filling materials (white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), grey MTA and Portland cement), using scanning electron microscopy. Seventy‐five single‐rooted extracted human teeth were used. The canals were instrumented and filled with gutta‐percha. Following root‐end resection and cavity preparation, root‐end cavities were filled with white MTA, grey MTA or Portland cement. Using a diamond saw, roots were longitudinally sectioned into two halves. Under scanning electron microscopy, the gaps between the material and dentinal wall were measured. The data were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis test. The mean of the gap in grey MTA, white MTA and Portland cement was 211.6, 349 and 326.3 µm, respectively. The results indicate that the gap between grey MTA and the dentinal wall is less than other materials, but there was no significant difference between the materials tested in this study (P > 0.05).
Effect of the oestral cycle on respiratory mechanics in the rat
Authors: Rubini A. , Bondì M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim:  To assess the effect of the oestral cycle on the respiratory mechanics of the rat.Methods:  We measured the main mechanical respiratory parameters, namely respiratory system and lung resistances and compliances, by the end‐inflation occlusion method on two populations of female rats, during proestrous–oestrous and metaoestrous–diestrous phases.Results:  Inflation–deflation loops of the lungs were found to be statistically higher in rats during metaoestrous–diestrous phase. No other statistically significant difference was found in the measured mechanical respiratory parameters.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that the naturally occurring fluctuations in serum sexual hormone levels during the sexual cycle influence the lung's hysteresis but do not influence the respiratory system and lung resistances or static compliances. A possible effect of female sexual hormones on surfactant activity is also suggested.
Vacuolar H+‐ATPase expression is increased in acid‐secreting intercalated cells in kidneys of rats with hypercalcaemia‐induced alkalosis
Authors: Wang W. , Praetorius J. , Li C. , Praetorius H. A. , Kwon T.‐H. , Frøkiær J. , Nielsen S. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAims:  Hypercalcaemia is known to be associated with systemic metabolic alkalosis, although the underlying mechanism is uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether hypercalcaemia was associated with changes in the expression of acid–base transporters in the kidney.Methods:  Rats were infused with human parathyroid hormone (PTH, 15 μg kg−1 day−1), or vehicle for 48 h using osmotic minipumps.Results:  The rats treated with PTH developed hypercalcaemia and exhibited metabolic alkalosis (arterial HCO: 31.1 ± 0.8 vs. 28.1 ± 0.8 mmol L−1 in controls, P < 0.05, n = 6), whereas the urine pH of 6.85 ± 0.1 was significantly decreased compared with the pH of 7.38 ± 0.1 in controls (P < 0.05, n = 12). The observed alkalosis was associated with a significantly increased expression of the B1‐subunit of the H+‐ATPase in kidney inner medulla (IM, 233 ± 45% of the control level). In contrast, electroneutral Na+‐HCO cotransporter NBCn1 and Cl−/HCO anion exchanger AE2 expression was markedly reduced in the inner stripe of the outer medulla (to 26 ± 9% and 65 ± 6%, respectively). These findings were verified by immunohistochemistry.Conclusions:  (1) hypercalcaemia‐induced metabolic alkalosis was associated with increased urinary excretion of H+; (2) the increased H+‐ATPase expression in IM may partly explain the enhanced urinary acidification, which is speculated to prevent stone formation because of hypercalciuria and (3) the decreased expression of outer medullary AE2 suggests a compensatory reduction of the transepithelial bicarbonate transport.
Governing the ungovernable: The challenge of a global disaggregation of authority
Authors: Rosenau James N. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe processes of globalization have led to a proliferation of spheres of authority and significant challenges for global governance. In this paper is discussed the concept of spheres of authority, the factors that encourage their proliferation, and the prospects for global governance in a world of disaggregated authority. The proliferation of spheres of authority does not mean that global governance is impossible, but that it will not result from a global government. Instead, governance will emerge from the interaction of overlapping spheres of authority; regulation will be achieved not through centralized authority but through the spread of norms, informal rules, and regimes.
Regulation by generalization
Authors: Schauer Frederick , Zeckhauser Richard 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBoth criminal and regulatory laws have traditionally been skeptical of what Jeremy Bentham referred to as evidentiary offenses – the prohibition (or regulation) of some activity not because it is wrong, but because it probabilistically (but not universally) indicates that a real wrong has occurred. From Bentham to the present, courts and theorists have worried about this form of regulation, believing that certainly in the criminal law context, but even with respect to regulation, it is wrong to impose sanctions on a “Where there’s smoke there’s fire” theory of governmental intervention. Yet, although this kind punishment by proxy continues to be held in disrepute both in courts and in the published work, we argue that this distaste is unwarranted. Regulating – even through the criminal law – by regulating intrinsically innocent activities that probabilistically, but not inexorably, indicate not‐so‐innocent activities is no different from the vast number of other probabilistic elements that pervade the regulatory process. Once we recognize the frequency with which we accept probabilistic but not certain burdens of proof, probabilistic but not certain substantive rules, and probabilistic but not certain pieces of evidence, we can see that defining offenses and regulatory targets in terms of non‐wrongful behavior that is evidence of wrongful behavior is neither surprising nor inadvisable.
From government to governance: External influences on business risk management
Authors: Hutter Bridget M. , Jones Clive J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe influence of external organizations and pressures on business risk management practices has hitherto been examined through the influence of state regulatory regimes on businesses. This article concentrates on key socio‐legal concerns about the influence of the law in social and economic life. We know that the sources of regulation and risk management are diversifying beyond the state. What we donothave is much empirically informed research about the range of sources influencing the business world and in particular the weighting of influence exercised by them. In this paper we explore the understandings regulatory actors have of the different external pressures on business risk management through an empirical study of the understandings of those in the food retail sector about the management of food safety and food hygiene risks. A broader objective is to throw some further light onto the debate about regulation within and beyond the state.
Information technology and public commenting on agency regulations
Authors: Balla Steven J. , Daniels Benjamin M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn this research, we assess whether the number of public comments filed in response to proposed agency rules has dramatically increased as a result of the automation of the submission process. Specifically, we compare the volume of comment activity across two large sets of rules issued by the Department of Transportation, one that occurred before the launch of an agency‐wide electronic docket system and another that occurred after this launch in 1998. Our analysis shows that, contrary to expectations held by many researchers and practitioners, the overall levels and patterns of stakeholder behavior showed a remarkable degree of similarity across the two periods. This finding implies that public involvement in rulemaking is not likely to become vastly more prevalent in the information age, confounding both hopes of democratization of the process and fears of costly and harmful mass participation.
Development of complementary expression patterns of E‐ and N‐cadherin in the mouse liver
Authors: Doi Yoshinori , Tamura Shinji , Nammo Takao , Fukui Koji , Kiso Shinichi , Nagafuchi Akira 
Published: March 2007

Aim:  Cadherins, Ca2+‐dependent cell adhesion molecules, are known to play essential roles in morphogenesis and organogenesis. However, the role of cadherins in liver organogenesis remains poorly understood. The aim of this study is to clarify the expression patterns and levels of these cadherins in the developing and maturing mouse liver.Methods:  The expression of E‐ and N‐cadherin was investigated immunohistochemically and levels were determined by immunoblots.Results:  In the hepatic primordia E‐cadherin, but not N‐ cadherin, was weakly expressed. As development proceeded, N‐cadherin became coexpressed with E‐cadherin in a single hepatocyte. The expression was uniform throughout the liver and the amount of these cadherins gradually increased. In the first postnatal week during the initial formation of the architecture of the liver lobule, the distribution of these cadherins gradually changed to the complementary pattern of the adult type, i.e. E‐cadherin was expressed in the periportal zones, while N‐cadherin was expressed in the perivenous zones.Conclusion:  The complementary expression patterns of E‐ and N‐cadherin between the periportal and perivenous zones developed gradually after birth. This specific regional localization of each cadherin may serve as an aid in defining different functional regions in the mouse liver lobule.
Effect of Chinese traditional compound, Gan‐fu‐kang, on CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis in rats and its probable molecular mechanisms
Authors: Xu Ting‐Ting , Jiang Miao‐Na , Li Cong , Che Ying , Jia Yu‐Jie 
Published: March 2007

Aim:  To explore the antifibrotic effect of traditional Chinese medicine compound Gan‐fu‐kang (GFK) on CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis in rats and its probable mechanisms.Methods:  The effects of GFK on CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis were tested in rats. The liver histopathology was examined by light microscope, polaring microscope and electron microscope. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assayed and the content of albumin (ALB) and hydroxyproline in the liver was measured. The expression of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and laminin (LN) was determined by immunohistochemistry. Semi‐quantitive computation of collagen types I and III and laminin was done. The expression of MMP‐2 and TIMP‐1 was assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).Results:  Upon pathological examination, GFK treatment had significantly reversed liver fibrosis. Hepatic extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition was significantly reduced, as evidenced by the reduction of the content of hydroxyproline, collagen types I and III, and laminin. Hepatic function was improved by GFK treatment, as evidenced by the increase of plasma ALB and A/G, and by the decrease of serum ALT and AST. TGF‐β1 in liver was significantly reduced. A significant expression of MMP‐2 and TIMP‐1 mRNA in liver were downregulated after GFK treatment.Conclusion:  The traditional Chinese medicine compound recipe GFK has an antifibrotic effect on CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis in rats, which improves hepatic function and lessens the deposition of collagen in the liver. The probable antifibrotic mechanisms were: inhibiting the expression of TGF‐β1 and decreasing expressions of MMP‐2 and TIMP‐1.
State-Space Dynamic Performance Preview-Predictive Controller
Authors: Ordys Andrzej W. , Tomizuka Masayoshi , Grimble Michael J. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The paper discusses state-space generalized predictive control and the preview control algorithms. The optimization procedure used in the derivation of predictive control algorithms is considered. The performance index associated with the generalized predictive controller (GPC) is examined and compared with the linear quadratic (LQ) optimal control formulation used in preview control. A new performance index and consequently a new algorithm is proposed dynamic performance predictive controller (DPPC) that combines the features of both GPC and preview controller. This algorithm minimizes the performance index through a dynamic optimization. A simple example illustrates the features of the three algorithms and prompts a discussion on what is actually minimized in predictive control. The DPPC algorithm, derived in this paper, provides for a minimum of the predictive performance index. The differences and similarities between the preview control and the predictive control have been discussed and optimization approach of predictive control has been explained.
Epstein-Barr Virus BGLF4 Kinase Induces Premature Chromosome Condensation through Activation of Condensin and Topoisomerase II
Authors: Lee Chung-Pei , Chen Jen-Yang , Wang Jiin-Tarng , Kimura Keiji , Takemoto Ai , Lu Chih-Chung , Chen Mei-Ru 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
Previous studies of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) replication focused mainly on the viral and cellular factors involved in replication compartment assembly and controlling the cell cycle. However, little is known about how EBV reorganizes nuclear architecture and the chromatin territories. In EBV-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma NA cells or Akata cells, we noticed that cellular chromatin becomes highly condensed upon EBV reactivation. In searching for the possible mechanisms involved, we found that transient expression of EBV BGLF4 kinase induces unscheduled chromosome condensation, nuclear lamina disassembly, and stress fiber rearrangements, independently of cellular DNA replication and Cdc2 activity. BGLF4 interacts with condensin complexes, the major components in mitotic chromosome assembly, and induces condensin phosphorylation at Cdc2 consensus motifs. BGLF4 also stimulates the decatenation activity of topoisomerase II, suggesting that it may induce chromosome condensation through condensin and topoisomerase II activation. The ability to induce chromosome condensation is conserved in another gammaherpesvirus kinase, murine herpesvirus 68 ORF36. Together, these findings suggest a novel mechanism by which gammaherpesvirus kinases may induce multiple premature mitotic events to provide more extrachromosomal space for viral DNA replication and successful egress of nucleocapsid from the nucleus.
High Resolution Laser Techniques Applied to Reaction Dynamics
Authors: Vetter Raymond J. 
Published: March 2007

The applications of high resolution laser techniques to crossed‐beam experiments which are examined in
this paper concern: (a) the reactivity of atomic/molecular excited states and the influence of light
polarization and (b) the measurement of absolute and differential cross sections by use of the laserinduced
fluorescence technique performed in a coherent saturation regime.Examples are provided by the crossed‐beam study of the Cs(7P) + H2 → CsH + H photochemical
reaction, where two C.W. single‐mode tunable lasers are used to excite Cs atoms and to probe CsH
product molecules. It is shown how the fine and hyperfine structures of the Cs atom are involved in the
reaction mechanism (harpooning). The measurement of the total cross section (≈4.10−16cm2) gives an
indication of the overall efficiency of the reactive process (Cs atoms in the 7P state) with respect to the
quenching ones (Cs atoms in 6S, 6P, 5D and 7S states). Finally, the differential cross section shows a
marked forward “peaking” of CsH products which narrows with collision energy but which is rather
independent of the product rotation.
Theoretical Characterization of Transition State DynamicalResonances in Heavy–Light–Heavy Reactions
Authors: Aguilar A. , Albertí M. , Blasco R. , Gilibert M. , Giménez X. , González M. , Lucas J. M. , Prieto M. , Sayós R. , Solé A. 
Published: March 2007

The resonant reactivity of three elementary Heavy–Light–Heavy reactions is presented and discussed.
Collinear reactivity, in which a vibrational adiabatic model is constructed, is used for a detailed analysis of
resonance phenomena, which appear as a direct consequence of transition state metastable states in the
strong interaction region of the potential energy surface. Their influence on the detailed mechanism of the
elementary process is also discussed. The shape of the resonant peak, and the phase and the Argand plot
of the S‐matrix are used for a further characterization.Three‐dimensional approximate calculations are used to test the evolution of the energy dependent
structure present in detailed quantities when sums and integrations over all partial waves contributing to
reaction are taken into account to obtain the usual averaged global quantities such as integral state‐to‐state
cross sections.
Accurate Wavenumber Measurement in High Resolution Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy (SRS) by Using an Infrared Standard. ν1 Fundamental of 12CH4
Authors: Santos J. , Cancio P. , Domenech J. L. , Rodriguez J. , Bermejo D. 
Published: March 2007

A new set of wavenumbers for the Stimulated Raman Spectrum (SRS) of the ν1 band of 12CH4 is presented using the Infrared (IR) absorption spectrum of the P10 component of ν3 of the same molecule as a wavenumbers standard. An estimation of the Stark shift due to the pump laser field is experimentally deduced what allows to extrapolate the measured wavenumbers to zero field amplitude. A careful discussion about the main possible error sources and how to cope with them is also included.The absolute accuracy of the wavenumbers set presented here is believed to be at least one order of magnitude better as compared with previous measurement.