Chung-Ang University

About: Chung-Ang University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 13381 authors who have published 26978 publications receiving 416735 citations. The organization is also known as: CAU & Chung.

Cue-exposure therapy to decrease alcohol craving in virtual environment.

Abstract: During abstinence from alcohol, craving is elicited by the cues and contexts previously associated with alcohol, which contribute to relapse. To prevent the craving and relapse experienced by alcoholics, cue-exposure therapy (CET) has been used to extinguish the association between alcohol and alcohol-related cues and contexts. This study applied CET, using a virtual reality (VR) system, to eight members of an Alcoholics Anonymous group for eight sessions. Cues and contexts most likely to elicit an urge to drink were selected through a preliminary survey in order to compose VR-CET scenarios: a glass, a bottle, food, and a bar were judged to be the most tempting for people in alcohol dependence and abstinence. Using these cues and contexts, a Japanese-style pub and a western bar were created. Each session was administered for 30 minutes by a psychiatrist and included an introduction, immersion, VR navigation, interviews about feelings, and self-report questionnaires about cravings. The eight sessions consi...

Morphology-Driven High-Performance Polymer Transistor-based Ammonia Gas Sensor

Abstract: Developing high-performance gas sensors based on polymer field-effect transistors (PFETs) requires enhancing gas-capture abilities of polymer semiconductors without compromising their high charge carrier mobility. In this work, cohesive energies of polymer semiconductors were tuned by strategically inserting buffer layers, which resulted in dramatically different semiconductor surface morphologies. Elucidating morphological and structural properties of polymer semiconductor films in conjunction with FET studies revealed that surface morphologies containing large two-dimensional crystalline domains were optimal for achieving high surface areas and creating percolation pathways for charge carriers. Ammonia molecules with electron lone pairs adsorbed on the surface of conjugated semiconductors can serve as efficient trapping centers, which negatively shift transfer curves for p-type PFETs. Therefore, morphology optimization of polymer semiconductors enhances their gas sensing abilities toward ammonia, leading to a facile method of manufacturing high-performance gas sensors.

Outcome of Arthroscopic Single-Bundle Versus Double-Bundle Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Preliminary 2-Year Prospective Study

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of arthroscopic single-bundle and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods We designed a prospective study that included patients with an isolated ACL injury. From April 2004 to February 2007, of 147 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction, 113 were included in this study. We serially obtained clinical and radiologic data preoperatively and postoperatively. We compared preoperative data and data at 2 years postoperatively in patients who had undergone single-bundle ACL reconstruction versus patients who had undergone double-bundle ACL reconstruction. There were 50 single-bundle reconstructions and 63 double-bundle reconstructions. Anteroposterior stability was assessed objectively by anterior stress radiographs with the telos device (telos, Marburg, Germany) and the maximal manual test with the KT-2000 arthrometer (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA). Rotational stability was determined by lateral pivot-shift test. The clinical results were assessed by International Knee Documentation Committee and Orthopadische Arbeitsgruppe Knie scores and Tegner activity scale. In addition, we evaluated postoperative thigh circumference and range of motion. Results Residual anteroposterior laxity determined at 2 years postoperatively by telos and KT-2000 was 1.74mm ± 1.67mm and 1.79mm ± 1.56mm, respectively, in the single-bundle reconstruction group and 1.63mm ± 1.50mm and 1.61mm ± 1.22mm, respectively, in the double-bundle reconstruction group. There were no statistically significant differences. For the lateral pivot-shift test done at 2 years postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference. In addition, clinical results such as International Knee Documentation Committee score, Orthopadische Arbeitsgruppe Knie score, Tegner activity scale, thigh circumference, and range of motion showed no significant differences between the 2 groups. Conclusions Double-bundle reconstruction of the ACL by a method using 2 femoral tunnel and 2 tibial tunnels showed no differences in stability results or any other clinical aspects or in terms of patient satisfaction. Level of Evidence Level II, prospective comparative study.

Induction of apoptosis by vitamin D3 analogue EB1089 in NCI-H929 myeloma cells via activation of caspase 3 and p38 MAP kinase.

Abstract: EB1089, a novel 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 analogue, has been known to have potent antiproliferative properties in a variety of malignant cells both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we analysed the effect of EB1089 on NCI-H929 human myeloma cells. EB1089 inhibited cell growth of NCI-H929 and efficiently induced the G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle in a dose-dependent manner. We could also detect apoptosis in NCI-H929 cells exposed to EB1089 (1 x 10-7 M for 72 h) using the sub-G1 group of the cell cycle by FACS and annexin V binding assays. Induction of apoptosis by EB1089 was associated with down-regulation of the Bcl-2 protein without change of the Bax protein. Regarding caspase activity, which plays a crucial role in apoptosis, EB1089-treated NCI-H929 cells revealed an increased activity of caspase 3 protease accompanied by degradation of the PARP protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, EB1089 caused the down-regulation of p44 extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activity and up-regulation of the p38 kinase activity during apoptosis of NCI-H929 cells. These results suggest that EB1089 inhibits growth of NCI-H929 cells via G1 cell cycle arrest as well as apoptosis by activating p38 kinase and suppressing ERK activity.