bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychological, Medical, and Pharmacological Correlates of Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
Authors: Leiblum Sandra , Seehuus Martin , Goldmeier David , Brown Candace 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Little is known about the etiology or medical/psychological correlates of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD).

Aim
The aims of this article were (i) to replicate the findings of earlier research identifying two subtypes of women with persistent arousal—those who meet all features of the condition and are at least moderately distressed, and those who meet only some features and are less distressed; and (ii) to identify the medical, psychological and/or pharmacological correlates of the condition.

Method
A comprehensive web-based survey of persistent genital arousal (PGA) was posted on several Internet websites. Of the 156 women who completed the survey, 76 met all five features qualifying for a persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) group, and 48 met only some features (non-PGAD group).

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures were endorsement of diagnostic signs of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic attack as well as medical illnesses and pharmacological preparations.

Results
Compared to non-PGA subjects, women with PGA were significantly more likely to be depressed (55% vs. 38%) and to report panic attacks (31.6% vs. 14.6%). They were more anxious and more likely to monitor their physical sensations. Both groups reported high rates of childhood and adult sexual abuse, although the PGA women reported a higher prevalence of sexual victimization. They were significantly more likely to endorse negative feelings about their genital sensations and also more likely to complain of chronic fatigue syndrome than women without the condition (10% vs. 0%). There were no significant relationships with pharmacologic agents and symptoms.

Conclusions
Women who met all the criteria of PGAD were more likely than women who only met some of the criteria to report depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and certain obsessive-compulsive symptoms such as monitoring their physical sensations. It is hypothesized that for a subset of women, psychological factors, namely anxiety, reinforce exacerbate and maintain PGAD.
How to Conclude the Doha Development Agenda Comment faire pour terminer le cycle de Doha sur le développement? Wie die Doha Development Agenda geschlossen werden kann
Authors: Häberli Christian 
Published: August 2007

summaryHow to Conclude the Doha Development AgendaIt is easier to launch a Round than to conclude it, and nice words won't do now. To save a trade negotiation which had already gotten off to a wrong start, and which has turned into a narrow lane focused on agriculture, is especially difficult when world trade is booming and only a few players can see benefits for themselves. Both a ‘quick fix’ and a ‘beef round’ are still possible, even though ambitious free‐traders will regret such an outcome. A drawn‐out pause, on the other hand, is a more likely yet not dramatic scenario. It could even be beneficial. Firstly, for re‐tabling the so‐called Singapore issues (investment, competition, government procurement). Secondly for reflecting on other issues with increasing importance: new multilateral rules for production and processing methods and, more broadly, tackling societal values through trade‐friendly methods such as labelling and international environmental and labour standards. Developing countries rightly fear a new face of protectionism behind such themes. But only a broad menu can lead to generally acceptable results. If it includes new issues the WTO can regain the lead in trade liberalisation. If it continues to ignore societal values, the multilateral trading system might be doomed.
Nifedipine‐sensitive noradrenergic vasoconstriction is enhanced in spontaneously hypertensive rats: the influence of chronic captopril treatment
Authors: Paulis L’. , Líšková S. , Pintérová M. , Dobešová Z. , Kuneš J. , Zicha J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAim: The relationship between increased sympathetic tone and enhanced activity of L‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+channels (L‐VDCC) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was studied usingin vivoandin vitroapproaches.Methods: The effects of acute L‐VDCC blockade on sympathetic vasoconstriction or blood pressure (BP) and the contribution of calcium influx to norepinephrine (NE)‐induced arterial contraction were investigated in 10‐week‐old SHR and in age‐matched SHR made normotensive by chronic captopril treatment from weaning.Results: Blood pressure fall occurring after acute ganglionic or L‐VDCC blockade was enhanced in SHR. Ganglionic blockade eliminated strain differences in BP response to acute L‐VDCC blockade andvice versa, suggesting that enhanced contribution of L‐VDCC is responsible for augmented sympathetic vasoconstriction in SHR. Both phasic (dependent on internal calcium stores) and tonic (dependent on calcium influx) contractions to NE were augmented in SHR femoral arteriesin vitro. Nifedipine attenuated only tonic contractions but to a larger extent in SHR than in WKY arteries. Nifedipine effect was greater after endothelium removal, which augmented tonic but not phasic contractions after NE. Chronic captopril treatment of SHR prevented hypertension development by suppression of their sympathetic vasoconstriction including its nifedipine‐sensitive component, but failed to influence enhanced NE‐induced arterial contractions or increased relaxation to nifedipinein vitro.Conclusion: The contribution of nifedipine‐sensitive component to noradrenergic vasoconstriction is enhanced during excessive NE stimulation (increased sympathetic tone of SHRin vivoor supramaximal NE stimulationin vitro). It seems that captopril‐induced reduction of central sympathetic tone is able to normalize augmented nifedipine‐sensitive vasoconstriction in SHR.
Contemporary challenges to the German vocational training system
Authors: Thelen Kathleen 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe German vocational training system has played a central role in sustaining the competitive strength of German manufacturing. This article provides an analysis of contemporary developments in this system to assess its likely future trajectory. I begin by underscoring the differences and similarities of the German system to alternative arrangements that have emerged in other countries. I then turn to recent trends in Germany that have caused concern among policy‐makers about the continued strength and viability of the vocational training system. I discuss reforms undertaken in the past few years that point to incremental, though possibly transformative, changes in the system designed to reduce costs and increase flexibility through renegotiations on two fronts: between general training standards and firm needs and training practices, and between the in‐plant and school‐based components of training.
Institutional competitiveness, social investment, and welfare regimes
Authors: Bernard Paul , Boucher Guillaume 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAre the rather generous welfare regimes found in most European countries sustainable; that is, are they competitive in a globalizing economy? Or will they, on the contrary, be crowded out by the more austere and less expensive regimes generally found in liberal Anglo‐Saxon countries? We first discuss this issue conceptually, focusing on the notions of institutional competitiveness, social investment, and short‐term and long‐term productivity. We then briefly present the results of an empirical study of 50 social indicators of policies and outcomes in 20 Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries during the early 2000s. We conclude that welfare regimes have not been forced to converge through a “race to the bottom.” There remain three distinct ways to face the “trilemma” of job growth, income inequality, and fiscal restraint: Nordic countries achieve high labor market participation through high social investment; Anglo‐Saxon countries attain the same objective through minimal public intervention; while Continental European countries experience fiscal pressures because their social protection schemes are not promoting participation to the same extent.
Economic Status and Social Attitudes of Migrant Workers in China
Authors: Li Peilin , Li Wei 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMigrant workers, meaning those who used to be farmers but have left rural areas and found jobs in cities as a result of economic reform and rapid development in China, have made a significant contribution to the burgeoning labor market and played an important role in speeding up the transition from a planned to a market economy. This present paper considers the economic status and social attitudes of migrant workers. It is based on the analysis of a large‐scale survey in 2006, which was conducted using questionnaires and covered 28 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions throughout the country. It was found that the income status of migrant workers depends heavily on the education and technical skills that they have developed, rather than on identity‐based discrimination. Surprisingly, it was also found that those on less income and of lower economic and social status show more positive attitudes to society than those who are affluent and considered of higher social status. It is concluded that the decisive factor in attitude and behavior of migrant workers is historic rather than economic.
Deferred Executive Compensation Policies in Chinese State‐owned Enterprises
Authors: Ju Min 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSince the commencement of industrial reform in China, most Chinese state‐owned enterprises have adopted a deferred executive compensation policy to provide incentives for their management teams. However, the effectiveness of such a policy needs to be evaluated. In this paper, we specify a model of deferred executive compensation policy, in which the compensation for executives is contingent on firms' future revenue. The model suggests that under deferred executive compensation policies, managers exhibit an increasing level of effort in every period. Furthermore, the deferred compensation policy encourages managers to make long‐term investments, which might generate revenue even after the termination of managerial contracts.
Responsibilities of China after Accession to the WTO
Authors: Pei Changhong , Peng Lei 
Published: August 2007

AbstractChina became a full member of the WTO on 11 December 2001. China has not only increased its presence in mainstream world trade but has gained knowledge about the basic rules of market economies and become more adaptable to changes in the international economy. As a new member of the WTO, being adaptable to changes in the international economy is essential. As a large developing country, China, with its rapid economic growth, huge volume of trade and substantial market potential, has exerted and will continue to exert profound influence on the world economy. It is commonly recognized that China's influence cannot be ignored in the world economy. Five years since its accession to the WTO, China is considering where it stands as a member of the WTO. What does China hope to achieve by being a member of the WTO, how can these hopes be shared among all trading partners, what is China's responsibility in this, and what are the responsibilities of other trading partners?
Study of Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) Pharmacokinetics After Topical Application of 5‐Aminolevulinic Acid in Urethral Condylomata Acuminata†
Authors: Wang Xiu‐Li , Wang Hong‐Wei , Huang Zheng , Stepp Herbert , Baumgartner Reinhold , Dannecker Christian , Hillemanns Peter 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe pharmacokinetics of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in lesions of urethral condylomata acuminata were investigated. Sixty patients (20 to 60 years old, 48 male and 12 female) were divided randomly into five groups and received topic application of different concentrations of ALA solution (0.5%, 1%, 3%, 5% or 10%). Biopsy was performed between 1 and 7 h and specimens were subjected to histological, PpIX fluorescence and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA typing analyses. Fluorescence examination confirmed that ALA‐induced PpIX fluorescence was dominantly distributed in the HPV‐infected epidermis. In contrast, only a minimal amount of PpIX fluorescence was detected in the dermis. The maximal fluorescence intensity was detected at 5 h incubation. Higher ALA concentration (e.g. 5% and 10%) produced a stronger intensity. These results suggest that the topical application of 5–10% ALA solution for 3–5 h is the optimal condition for the photodynamic therapy of urethral condylomata acuminata. The selective damage of the condylomata acuminata lesions in the epidermis without damaging the dermis ensures a better control of recurrence and side effects such as ulceration or scarring. DNA typing showed that all patients were positive for low risk‐HPV DNA and among them 18.3% of patients harbored high risk‐HPV DNA.
Comparison of Femtosecond Laser and Continuous Wave UV Sources for Protein–Nucleic Acid Crosslinking
Authors: Fecko Christopher J. , Munson Katherine M. , Saunders Abbie , Sun Guangxing , Begley Tadhg P. , Lis John T. , Webb Watt W. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCrosslinking proteins to the nucleic acids they bind affords stable access to otherwise transient regulatory interactions. Photochemical crosslinking provides an attractive alternative to formaldehyde‐based protocols, but irradiation with conventional UV sources typically yields inadequate product amounts. Crosslinking with pulsed UV lasers has been heralded as a revolutionary technique to increase photochemical yield, but this method had only been tested on a few protein–nucleic acid complexes. To test the generality of the yield enhancement, we have investigated the benefits of using ∼150 fs UV pulses to crosslink TATA‐binding protein, glucocorticoid receptor and heat shock factor to oligonucleotides in vitro. For these proteins, we find that the quantum yields (and saturating yields) for forming crosslinks using the high‐peak intensity femtosecond laser do not improve on those obtained with low‐intensity continuous wave (CW) UV sources. The photodamage to the oligonucleotides and proteins also has comparable quantum yields. Measurements of the photochemical reaction yields of several small molecules selected to model the crosslinking reactions also exhibit nearly linear dependences on UV intensity instead of the previously predicted quadratic dependence. Unfortunately, these results disprove earlier assertions that femtosecond pulsed laser sources provide significant advantages over CW radiation for protein–nucleic acid crosslinking.
Quantitative In Vitro Demonstration of Two‐Photon Photodynamic Therapy Using Photofrin® and Visudyne®
Authors: Khurana Mamta , Collins Hazel A. , Karotki Aliaksandr , Anderson Harry L. , Cramb David T. , Wilson Brian C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT), the combined action of a photosensitizer and light to produce a cytotoxic effect, is an approved therapy for a number of diseases. At present, clinical PDT treatments involve one‐photon excitation of the photosensitizer. A major limitation is that damage may be caused to healthy tissues that have absorbed the drug and lie in the beam path. Two‐photon excitation may minimize this collateral damage, as the probability of absorption increases with the square of the light intensity, enabling spatial confinement of the photosensitizer activation. A potential application is the treatment of the wet‐form of age‐related macular degeneration, the foremost cause of central vision loss in the elderly.Herein, the commercial photosensitizers Visudyne® and Photofrin® are used to demonstrate quantitative in vitro two‐photon PDT. A uniform layer of endothelial cells (YPEN‐1) was irradiated with a Ti:sapphire laser (300 fs, 865 nm, 90 MHz) using a confocal scanning microscope. Quantification of the two‐photon PDT effect was achieved using the permeability stain Hoechst 33258 and a SYTOX® Orange viability stain. Visudyne was found to be around seven times more effective as a two‐photon photosensitizer than Photofrin under the conditions used, consistent with its higher two‐photon absorption cross‐section. We also demonstrate for the first time the quadratic intensity dependence of cellular two‐photon PDT. This simple in vitro method for quantifying the efficacy of photosensitizers for two‐photon excited PDT will be valuable to test specifically designed two‐photon photosensitizers before proceeding to in vivo studies in preclinical animal models.
Time‐Resolved and Steady‐State Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Eumelanin and Indolic Polymers
Authors: Nighswander‐Rempel Stephen P. , Mahadevan Indumathy B. , Rubinsztein‐Dunlop Halina , Meredith Paul 
Published: August 2007

AbstractEumelanin plays a variety of important physiological roles in human skin. However, its structure and fundamental properties still remain poorly understood. Although the absorbance of eumelanin is broad and reveals little about its structure, a variety of techniques have revealed the presence of a disordered array of chromophores within the melanin compound. In order to examine the fluorescence decay dynamics of these chromophores, time‐resolved spectroscopy was applied to solutions of synthetic eumelanin and a melanin‐like polymer of N‐methyl,5‐hydroxy,6‐methoxyindole (N‐Me‐5H6MI). Solutions were excited with 80 fs laser pulses at 355, 370, 390 and 400 nm, and decay time courses were acquired at 20 nm intervals between 400 and 600 nm for each excitation wavelength. Decay profiles for both eumelanin and the polymer exhibited a characteristic multiexponential behavior with decay times between 0.5 and 15 ns, although steady‐state spectra for the polymer exhibited only two peaks. The long‐decay component in the polymer showed a significant decrease in both amplitude (30–5%) and decay time (14–6 ns) with increasing emission wavelength. In contrast, the amplitude and decay time in melanin increased slightly (10–15% and 7–10 ns, respectively) from 400 to 520 nm emission, at which point they leveled off. These trends were consistent for all excitation wavelengths. These results suggest that the multiexponential behavior of melanin fluorescence is characteristic of each oligomer within the eumelanin compound, and is consistent with the assertion that the diversity of constituents within eumelanin provides it with a robustness in spectral properties.
Photophysics and Multifunctionality of Hypericin‐Like Pigments in Heterotrich Ciliates: A Phylogenetic Perspective
Authors: Lobban Christopher S. , Hallam Steven J. , Mukherjee Prasun , Petrich Jacob W. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this paper, we review the literature and present some new data to examine the occurrence and photophysics of the diverse hypericin‐like chromophores in heterotrichs, the photoresponses of the cells, the various roles of the pigments and the taxa that might be studied to advance our understanding of these pigments. Hypericin‐like chromophores are known chemically and spectrally so far only from the stentorids and Fabrea, the latter now seen to be sister to stentorids in the phylogenetic tree. For three hypericin‐like pigments, the structures are known but these probably do not account for all the colors seen in stentorids. At least eight physiological groups of Stentor exist depending on pigment color and presence/absence of zoochlorellae, and some species can be bleached, leading to many opportunities for comparison of pigment chemistry and cell behavior. Several different responses to light are exhibited among heterotrichs, sometimes by the same cell; in particular, cells with algal symbionts are photophilic in contrast to the well‐studied sciaphilous (shade‐loving) species. Hypericin‐like pigments are involved in some well‐known photophobic reactions but other pigments (rhodopsin and flavins) are also involved in photoresponses in heterotrichs and other protists. The best characterized role of hypericin‐like pigments in heterotrichs is in photoresponses and they have at least twice evolved a role as photoreceptors. However, hypericin and hypericin‐like pigments in diverse organisms more commonly serve as predator defense and the pigments are multifunctional in heterotrichs. A direct role for the pigments in UV protection is possible but evidence is equivocal. New observations are presented on a folliculinid from deep water, including physical characterization of its hypericin‐like pigment and its phylogenetic position based on SSU rRNA sequences. The photophysics of hypericin and hypericin‐like pigments is reviewed. Particular attention is given to how their excited‐state properties are modified by the environment. Dramatic changes in excited‐state behavior are observed as hypericin is moved from the homogeneous environment of organic solvents to the much more structured surroundings provided by the complexes it forms with proteins. Among these complexes, it is useful to consider the differences between environments where hypericin is not found naturally and those where it is, notably, for example, in heterotrichs. It is clear that interaction with a protein modifies the photophysics of hypericin and understanding the molecular basis of this interaction is one of the outstanding problems in elucidating the function of hypericin and hypericin‐like chromophores.
Photochemistry of 5‐Fluorouracil Dideoxyribonucleoside Monophosphate
Authors: Faichuk Melissa , Mah Allison , Loppnow Glen R. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract5‐Fluorouracil is an artificial nucleobase analog of thymine and uracil, with a substituent in the 5‐position that has a mass similar to the methyl group in thymine, but very different electronic, steric and vibrational coupling properties. UVC irradiation of 5‐fluorouracil dideoxyribonucleoside monophosphate (dXpdX) is examined here with mass spectrometry and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and is compared to the UV photochemistry of other pyrimidine dideoxyribonucleoside monophosphates. The results show that the photochemical products and kinetics of dXpdX are similar to those of uracil dideoxyribonucleoside monophosphate and similar to those of the isolated 5‐fluorouracil nucleobase. The photochemistry of dXpdX is compared to the photochemistry of thymine and uracil dideoxyribonucleoside monophosphates.
Measuring thrombin generation based sensitivity to activated protein C using an automated coagulometer (ACL 9000)
Authors: GARDINER C. , MACHIN S. J. , MACKIE I. J. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryIncreased thrombin generation in the presence of activated protein C (APC) is known to be an independent risk factor for thrombosis. Although commercially available methods for measuring thrombin generation are available, none measure sensitivity to APC. We have developed an automated thrombin generation based APC sensitivity test, for use with defibrinated plasma using the automated coagulometer (ACL9000). A chromogenic substrate that is cleaved by thrombin at a slow rate, 7 pm tissue factor and 20 μm phospholipid (DOPC : DOPE : DOPS, 60 : 20 : 20) with and without 5 nm APC. Thrombin generation with [endogenous thrombin potential (ETP)+APC] and without APC (ETP), was expressed as a ratio relative to pooled normal plasma. Normal reference ranges were established in 30 normal subjects: ETP 0.73–1.06; ETP+APC 0.42–1.07. ETP+APC was found to be sensitive to factor V Leiden, oral contraceptive use, low levels of protein S and tissue factor pathway inhibitor and increased plasma factor VIII.