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Spinal cord injury (SCI), primarily caused by trauma, leads to permanent and lasting loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Current therapeutic strategies are focused on mitigating secondary injury, a crucial aspect of SCI pathophysiology. Among these strategies, stem cell therapy has shown considerable therapeutic potential. This study builds on our previous work, which demonstrated the functional recovery and neuronal regeneration capabilities of peripheral nerve-derived stem cell (PNSC) spheroids, which are akin to neural crest stem cells, in SCI models. However, the limited anti-inflammatory capacity of PNSC spheroids necessitates a combined therapeutic approach. As a result, we investigated the potential of co-administering resolvin D1 (RvD1), known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, with PNSC spheroids. In vitro analysis confirmed RvD1’s anti-inflammatory activity and its inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines. In vivo studies involving a rat SCI model demonstrated that combined therapy of RvD1 and PNSC spheroids outperformed monotherapies, exhibiting enhanced neuronal regeneration and anti-inflammatory effects as validated through behavior tests, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. Thus, our findings suggest that the combined application of RvD1 and PNSC spheroids may represent a novel therapeutic approach for SCI management.

The objective of this study is to present a rare case of an invaginated inferior vena cava (IVC) aneurysm in the lumbar intradiscal space. A 73-year-old woman with lower back pain and bilateral lower extremity swelling presented to the clinic. She had undergone spinal surgery performed thrice at the same site (L4–L5) in another hospital and a separate posterolateral fusion surgery procedure 3 years previously. On plain radiography, pseudarthrosis was observed at L4–L5 segment. Contrast computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a dilatation of the IVC in the intradiscal space of L4–L5. On the anterior side, anterior discectomy was performed. Following insertion of the allograft bone chip and cage, the invaginated IVC aneurysm was repositioned. Implant removal and screw fixation were performed posteriorly. Post-surgery, the patient’s lower back pain improved, and the start of anticoagulation treatment after vascular evaluation was planned. Although there have been numerous case reports of patients with intradiscal cysts or gas requiring surgical treatment, there have not yet been any reports of those with invaginated IVC in an intradiscal space. It is important to provide the appropriate treatment based on a thorough prior understanding of the patient’s anatomy.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the cross-sectional area (CSA) of deep cervical flexors as measured by magnetic resonance imaging in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) patients with neck pain and, by implication, how this may relate to recruitment of the deep cervical flexors and sternocleidomastoid.A retrospective case-control study was conducted. All 72 subjects were imaged using plain radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.There was a more limited cervical range of motion in the OPLL group than that in the control group. Cervical lordosis, T1 slope, and thoracic inlet angle values were significantly lower in the OPLL group than in the control group. Bilateral CSAs of the longus colli muscle and longus capitis muscle of the OPLL group were smaller than those of the control group. In addition, bilateral CSAs of the sternocleidomastoid of the OPLL subjects were greater than those of healthy subjects.The authors found that the OPLL patients with chronic neck pain had lesser lordotic cervical alignment, smaller deep cervical flexor CSAs, and larger sternocleidomastoid CSAs than the control group did. The authors' theory is that the sternocleidomastoids in these OPLL patients have compensatorily hypertrophied in response to presumably atrophied deep cervical flexors.

Designing Air Cleaning Units (ACU) of an Engineered Safety Feature and normal atmosphere clean-up system at the renovated APR-1000 and APR-1400 NPP, and fuel cycle facilities in Korea, is required to meet the standards of ASME AG-1 (1997), ASME N509/N510 (1989) and KEPIC-MH (2001) to enhance the removal efficiency of aerosols and particulates from the effluents. The revised ACU testing criteria are allowed to use alternative challenge agents of the dioctyl phthalate and Refrigerant-11 for in situ testing of high efficiency particulate air filters and adsorption banks. The operability testing time of engineered safety feature (ESF) trains was changed from 10 h to 15 min. The activated carbon in adsorption banks should undergo laboratory tests at a temperature of 30 °C and relative humidity 95 %. The removal criteria of methyl iodide should be over 99.5 % for ESF and 99 % for normal systems. This paper provides the background of the changed criteria for designing and testing of the ACU system in nuclear facilities.

In this study a program, INDAC++, was developed to conduct accident analysis on low and intermediate level waste (LILW) managed in a temporary storage facility (TSF). In order to conduct this work, a variety of parameters were considered such as risk factor, radionuclide inventory, atmospheric dispersion factor (χ/Q), dose conversion factor, and so on. The main risk factors leading to arbitrary accidents were developed by the master logic diagram (MLD) method based on a fault tree analysis (FTA). The dose to curie (DTC) method was used to calculate the radionuclide inventory. Then, the release rates with respect to the type of wastes and radionuclides were considered in order to evaluate the amount of radionuclides released by the risk factors. Furthermore, the atmospheric dispersion factor (χ/Q) was calculated by the PAVAN code based on various models and assumptions suggested in the U.S. NRC Regulatory Guide 1.145. The dose assessments for arbitrary accidents originating in the TSF for LILW management are conducted by considering the external exposure dose by radioactive plume and the internal exposure dose by breathing. Synthesizing many parameters, the INDAC++, which is an integrated dose assessment code package for normal reaction operation and for accident analysis of LILW managed in the TSF, was developed using Visual C# in Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2003. Furthermore, the INDAC++ can calculate the radiological risk with regard to the main risk factors for workers and the public.

Aging population and the resulting old age income shortage has come to the fore in many countries around the globe. In response, farmland-backed annuities (FBA) that liquidize farmland assets to provide living income to aged farmers have been proposed and instituted by Korean government. We aim to construct a suitable pricing model for FBA and find optimum structure for the product. Suggestions on designing FBA to meet various needs of aged-farmers follow. We also provide risk-profit profile for annuitants, annuity issuers, and reinsurers, respectively.

The purpose of this study is to identify the determination variables which affect the retail property prices in Seoul by examining the variables related to the economic conditions of retail trade areas, physical characteristics of buildings, and location. About 146 major retail property data from 1 December 2007 to 31 December 2007 were analysed. Regression analysis and a structural equation modelling (SEM) were constructed to test the significance of the variables on the retail property prices in Seoul. The results indicate that age of building, size of shop and location explain a significant portion of the variability of the retail property prices. Through the empirical analysis, it was concluded that the retail property prices in Seoul were affected by the economic conditions, physical characteristics, and location.

Short-term static tests were conducted with a surrogate high-level waste glass to measure the effects of pH and dissolved iron on the glass dissolution rate. The tests were conducted to determine if a term to account for the effects of dissolved iron is needed in the glass degradation model developed for Total System Performance Assessment (TSPA) calculations for the Yucca Mountain disposal system license application. The glass degradation model includes terms for dependencies on temperature, pH, and chemical affinity. A series of tests was conducted at 90 °C in various pH solutions without iron and with added FeCl3, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, and FeOOH. Tests were conducted at glass surface area/solution volume (S/V) ratios about 2 and 10 m-1for between 2 and 21 days. Solution concentrations of boron were used to measure the extent of reaction and calculate the glass dissolution rates. Similar rates were measured in tests conducted with and without iron at each pH. Both the results of the tests with and without iron showed V-shaped pH dependence curves with minima at near-neutral pH values. The pH dependencies (η) are about 0.44 in basic solutions and –0.49 in acidic solutions, based on the combined results of tests with and without iron. These are within the range of values for the pH dependence in the TSPA model for site recommendation.

A glass-bonded sodalite ceramic waste form (CWF) has been developed to immobilize electrorefiner salt wastes from electrometallurgical treatment of spent sodium-bonded reactor fuel for disposal. A degradation model is being developed to support qualification of the CWF for disposal in the federal high-level waste disposal system. The parameter values in the waste form degradation model were previously determined from the dissolution rates measured in MCC-1 tests conducted at 40, 70, and 90°C. The results of several series of tests that were conducted to confirm the applicability of the dissolution rate model and model parameters are presented in this paper: (1) Series of MCC-1 tests were conducted in five dilute buffer solutions in the pH range of 4.8 – 9.8 at 20°C with hot isostatic pressing (HIP) sodalite, HIP glass, and HIP CWF. The results show that the model adequately predicts the dissolution rate of these materials at 20°C. (2) Tests at 20 and 70°C with CWF made by pressureless-consolidation (PC) indicate that the model parameters extracted from the results of tests with HIP CWF can be applied to PC CWF. (3) The dissolution rates of a glass made with a composition corresponding to 80 wt. % glass and 20 wt. % sodalite were measured at 70°C to evaluate the sensitivity of the rate to the composition of binder glass in the CWF. The dissolution rates of the modified binder glass were indistinguishable from the rates of the binder glass.

It exists in various forms in the following proportions: 39% aqueous liquids, 17% inorganic sludges and particulates, 25% heterogeneous debris, 3% soils, and 5% organic liquids. The volume will increase to 1,200,000 since 1994. In addition, the DOE ’s treatment plans currently show a significant number of waste streams that require solidification and stabilization.

Objective : The objectives of this study were to analyze the recanalization rates and outcomes of multimodal therapy that consisted of sequential intravenous (IV)/intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis, mechanical thrombolysis including mechanical clot disruption using microcatheters and microwires, balloon angioplasty, and stenting for acute ischemic stroke, and to evaluate the prognostic factors related to the outcome. Methods : Fifty patients who were admitted to the hospital within 8 hours from ischemic symptom onset were retrospectively analyzed. Initial IV thrombolysis and subsequent cerebral angiography were performed in all patients. If successful recanalization was not achieved by IV thrombolysis, additional IA thrombolysis with mechanical thrombolysis, including balloon angioplasty and stenting, were performed. The outcomes were assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) change and modified Rankin scale (mRS) and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results : Successful recanalization was achieved in 42 (84%) of 50 patients, which consisted of 8 patients after IV thrombolysis, 19 patients after IA thrombolysis with mechanical clot disruption, and 15 patients after balloon angioplasty or stenting. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 4 (8%) patients. Good outcomes were achieved in 76% and 70% of patients upon discharge, and 93% and 84% of patients after 3 months according to the NIHSS change and mRS. The initial clinical status, recanalization achievement, and presence of symptomatic hemorrhage were statistically related to the outcomes. Conclusion : Multimodal therapy may be an effective and safe treatment modality for acute ischemic stroke. Balloon angioplasty and stenting is effective for acute thrombolysis, and produce higher recanalization rates with better outcomes.