Multi-scale turbulence simulation suggesting improvement of electron heated plasma confinement.

Turbulent transport is a key physics process for confining magnetic fusion plasma. Recent theoretical and experimental studies of existing fusion experimental devices revealed the existence of cross-scale interactions between small (electron)-scale and large (ion)-scale turbulence. Since conventional turbulent transport modelling lacks cross-scale interactions, it should be clarified whether cross-scale interactions are needed to be considered in future experiments on burning plasma, whose high electron temperature is sustained with fusion-born alpha particle heating. Here, we present supercomputer simulations showing that electron-scale turbulence in high electron temperature plasma can affect the turbulent transport of not only electrons but also fuels and ash. Electron-scale turbulence disturbs the trajectories of resonant electrons responsible for ion-scale micro-instability and suppresses large-scale turbulent fluctuations. Simultaneously, ion-scale turbulent eddies also suppress electron-scale turbulence. These results indicate a mutually exclusive nature of turbulence with disparate scales. We demonstrate the possibility of reduced heat flux via cross-scale interactions.

Factors Contributing to Efficient Recanalization Procedures for Chronic Total Occlusion of the Superficial Femoral Artery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify the factors for efficient procedures (EP) in superficial femoral artery (SFA) chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 200 consecutive limbs that underwent treatment for SFA CTO. The patients were divided into three groups according to the main strategies: subintimal angioplasty (SIA) (n = 123), Crosser use (n = 50), and 0.014″ CTO guidewire (CTO-GW) (n = 27). To determine the factors for an EP (EP; contrast volume <130 mL and procedure time <20 min; derived from non-CTO [control] procedures), the variables (P < 0.2) underwent multivariate analysis. RESULTS: SIA included more Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus C/D lesions and contralateral femoral approaches, and additional GW use (P < 0.05). CTO-GW presented a shorter occlusion length and elapsed time, and used less retrograde approach than the other strategies (P < 0.05). Crossers had a higher incidence of perforation (P = 0.002). The prompt retrograde approach had a similar actual retrograde procedure time, but a shorter total procedure time, compared to that of the delayed adoption (P < 0.001). EP was achieved in 14 limbs (7.0%). Multivariate analysis revealed that occlusion length (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.96; P = 0.004) and SIA (OR, 8.71; 95% CI, 1.32-175.27; P = 0.02) were associated with EP. CONCLUSIONS: SIA contributed to EP. The timing of the retrograde approach was crucial because its delay resulted in an excessive procedure time.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Silent Cerebral Microbleeds in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), which can be detected by gradient-echo T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), represent small chronic brain hemorrhages caused by structural abnormalities in cerebral small vessels. CMBs are known to be a potential predictor of future stroke, and are associated with age, various cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive impairment, and the use of antithrombotic drugs. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at potentially high risk of CMBs due to the presence of coexistent conditions. However, little is known about CMBs in patients with CAD. We aimed to identify the factors associated with the presence of CMBs among patients with CAD. METHODS: We evaluated 356 consecutive patients [mean age, 72 ± 10 years; men = 276 (78%)] with angiographically proven CAD who underwent T2*-weighted brain MRI. The brain MRI was assessed by researchers blinded to the patients' clinical details. RESULTS: CMBs were found in 128 (36%) patients. Among 356 patients, 119 (33%) had previously undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 26 (7%) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). There was no significant relationship between CMBs and sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, anticoagulation therapy, antiplatelet therapy, or prior PCI. CMBs were significantly associated with advanced age, previous CABG, eGFR, non-HDL cholesterol, carotid artery disease, long-term antiplatelet therapy, and long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) using univariate logistic regression analysis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that long-term antiplatelet therapy (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.06 - 2.84; P = 0.03) or long-term DAPT (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.39 - 6.17; P = 0.004) was significantly associated with CMBs after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: CMBs were frequently observed in patients with CAD and were significantly associated with long-term antiplatelet therapy, especially long-term DAPT.

The "Direct tip injection in occlusive lesions (DIOL)" fashion.

BACKGROUND: The successful intervention for peripheral artery disease is limited by complex chronic total occlusions (CTOs). During CTO wiring, without the use of intravascular or extravascular ultrasound, the guidewire position is unclear, except for calcified lesions showing the vessel path. To solve this problem, we propose a novel guidewire crossing with plaque modification method for complex occlusive lesions, named the "Direct tip Injection in Occlusive Lesions (DIOL)" fashion. MAIN TEXT: The "DIOL" fashion utilizes the hydraulic pressure of tip injection with a general contrast media through a microcatheter or an over-the-wire balloon catheter within CTOs. The purposes of this technique are 1) to visualize the "vessel road" of the occlusion from expanding a microchannel, subintimal, intramedial, and periadventitial space with contrast agent and 2) to modify plaques within CTO to advance CTO devices safely and easily. This technique creates dissections by hydraulic pressure. Antegrade-DIOL may create dissections which extend to and compress a distal lumen, especially in below-the-knee arteries. A gentle tip injection with smaller contrast volume (1-2 ml) should be used to confirm the tip position which is inside or outside of a vessel. On the other hand, retrograde-DIOL is used with a forceful tip injection of moderate contrast volume up to 5-ml to visualize vessel tracks and to modify the plaques to facilitate the crossing of CTO devices. Case-1 involved a severe claudicant due to right superficial femoral artery occlusion. After the conventional bidirectional subintimal procedure failed, we performed two times of retrograde-DIOL fashion, and the bidirectional subintimal planes were successfully connected. After two stents implantation, a sufficient flow was achieved without complications and restenosis for two years. Case-2 involved multiple wounds in the heel due to ischemia caused by posterior tibial arterial occlusion. After the conventional bidirectional approach failed, retrograde-DIOL was performed and retrograde guidewire successfully crossed the CTO, and direct blood flow to the wounds was obtained after balloon angioplasty. The wounds heeled four months after the procedure without reintervention. CONCLUSIONS: The DIOL fashion is a useful and effective method to facilitate CTO treatment.

Coil Embolization for Coronary Artery Perforation: A Retrospective Analysis of 110 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Coil embolization (CE) for coronary artery perforation (CAP) has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of myocardial damage and impact on cardiac function after CE for CAP. METHODS: A total of 110 consecutive patients treated with CE for CAP were retrospectively identified. The degree of myocardial damage and impact on cardiac function were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-nine (44.5%) cases involved chronic total occlusions. A guidewire was the cause of perforation in 97 (88.2%) patients. The success rate of CE was 98.2%. Almost all patients were prescribed either antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulant medication or both. Patients with perforation types III and IV were found to be prone to creatinine kinase (CK) elevation and epicardial main vessel perforation, thereby causing myocardial damage. No changes were noted in the ejection fraction (EF) in patients with type V distal perforation and collateral channel perforation, while patients with perforation of the epicardial main vessel may show impaired cardiac function afterward. CONCLUSIONS: CE is safe and effective for treating CAP, especially when collateral channels and distal vessels are involved. Meanwhile, efforts should be taken to prevent CAP in epicardial main vessels since it may be difficult to treat with CS and cause myocardial damage when bailed out with CE leading to vessel sacrifice. We found that it was not necessary to change the anticoagulant regimen after CE owing to its ability to achieve robust hemostasis.

The "needle re-entry" technique for infrainguinal arterial calcified occlusive lesions.

BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification is a predictor of poor clinical outcome during and after endovascular intervention. Guidewire crossing techniques and devices have been developed, but chronic total occlusions (CTOs) with severe calcification often prevent subintimal re-entry. We propose a novel guidewire crossing approach combined needle rendezvous with balloon snare technique, named the "needle re-entry" technique, for treatment of complex occlusive lesions. MAIN TEXT: A 73-year-old female with severe claudication in her right calf with ankle brachial index of 0.62, and a computed tomography angiogram showed a long occlusion with diffuse calcification in superficial femoral artery. She was referred to our department to have peripheral interventions. Since the calcified vascular wall of the lesion prevented the successful re-entry, the "needle re-entry" was performed. First, a retrograde puncture of the SFA, distally to the occlusion, was performed and an 0.018-in. guidewire with a microcatheter was inserted to establish a retrograde fashion. Second, an antegrade 5.0-mm balloon was advanced into a subintimal plane and balloon dilation at 6 atm was maintained. Third, an 18-gauge needle was antegradely inserted from distal thigh to the dilated 5.0-mm balloon. After confirming a balloon rupture by the needle penetration, we continued to insert the needle to meet the retrograde guidewire tip. Then, a retrograde 0.014-in. guidewire was carefully advanced into the needle hole, named the "needle rendezvous" technique. After further guidewire advancement to accomplish a guidewire externalization, the needle was removed. Finally, since the guidewire was passing through the 5.0-mm ruptured balloon, the balloon was withdrawn, and the guidewire was caught with the balloon and successfully advanced into the antegrade subintimal space, named the "balloon snare" technique. After the guidewire was advanced into the antegrade guiding sheath and achieved a guidewire externalization, an endovascular stent graft and an interwoven stent were deployed to cover the lesion. After postballoon dilation, an angiography showed a satisfactory result without complications. No restenosis, reintervention, and limb loss have been observed for one year follow-up period after this technique. CONCLUSIONS: The "needle re-entry" technique is a useful guidewire crossing technique to revascularize femoropopliteal complex CTOs with severe calcification which prevent the achievement of guidewire crossing with the conventional procedures.

Small-Scale Dynamic Aurora.

Small-scale dynamic auroras have spatial scales of a few km or less, and temporal scales of a few seconds or less, which visualize the complex interplay among charged particles, Alfvén waves, and plasma instabilities working in the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupled regions. We summarize the observed properties of flickering auroras, vortex motions, and filamentary structures. We also summarize the development of fundamental theories, such as dispersive Alfvén waves (DAWs), plasma instabilities in the auroral acceleration region, ionospheric feedback instabilities (IFI), and the ionospheric Alfvén resonator (IAR). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11214-021-00796-w.

Predictors of clinical outcome after rotational atherectomy-facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in hemodialysis patients with severely calcified and diffused lesions is associated with extremely high rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), even when facilitated by rotational atherectomy (ROTA). Potential risk factors for MACE with ROTA-facilitated PCI in hemodialysis patients should be identified. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive cohort of patients from the Sapporo Cardiovascular Clinic database, who were on maintenance hemodialysis with severe calcified lesions and treated with ROTA-facilitated PCI. Clinical and interventional procedure characteristics were collected and compared between patients with and without MACE, defined as all-cause death, hospitalization due to heart failure, definite stent thrombosis, or target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1-year follow-up. The individual outcomes of MACE and TLR in the cohort were presented as Kaplan-Meier percentages. Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of MACE. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients undergoing hemodialysis and followed up for 362.50 (243.75, 382.25) days. Sixty-one patients in the cohort had MACE, most of which were TLR (47.5%, 29/61). Cumulative all-cause death at 30-day and 1-year follow-up were 6.52% and 18.8%, respectively. Patients with right coronary artery (RCA) lesions, in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions, and were more likely to have MACE, even with larger reference vessel diameter and greater acute gain after PCI. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that ISR lesion was positively associated with both MACE (HR 3.21, 95% CI: 1.59-6.48) and TLR (HR 5.08, 95% CI: 1.78-14.47), latter of which was also proved to be significantly related to greater acute gain (HR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.12-3.39). In subgroup analysis, RCA was found to be positively associated with MACE in de novo lesion (HR 2.83, 95% CI: 1.28-6.28). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the overall prognosis of ROTA-facilitated PCI in hemodialysis patients was poor. ISR was a significant risk factor for MACE, especially TLR.

Comparison of Drug-Eluting Stent and Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty After Rotational Atherectomy in Severe Calcified and Large Coronary.

Drug-eluting stent (DES) is well known to be effective in severely calcified lesion after rotational atherectomy (ROTA). However, there are still some situations when stents should be avoided and plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) should be the preferred option. The present study aims to explore whether POBA is comparably effective to DES in large and calcified coronary pretreated by ROTA in clinical outcomes.Consecutive patients treated for severely calcified lesions in the large (≥ 3 mm) coronary using ROTA + DES or ROTA + POBA were retrospectively analyzed. The major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including all-cause/cardiac death and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1 year and 2 years posttreatment, were compared between groups using the Cox regression analysis to identify independent predictors of TLR and MACE.The analysis included 285 cases in the ROTA + DES group and 47 cases in the ROTA + POBA group, without relevant differences in clinical baseline characteristics. Of note, lesion length was greater in the ROTA + DES group (37.2 versus 19.3 mm, P < 0.001); the ROTA + DES group had a higher rate of chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, with 8.4%, and the ROTA + POBA group had none. The inhospital/30-day mortality rate (5.3%, ROTA + DES; 6.4%, ROTA + POBA) and the 12- and 24-month all-cause/cardiac mortality rate (9.3%, ROTA + DES; 7.7%, ROTA + POBA) were not significantly different between the two groups. TLR rates were not significantly different between the two groups at 12 (4.6%, ROTA + DES; 4.3%, ROTA + POBA) and 24 (5.3%, ROTA + DES; 6.4%, ROTA + POBA) months.Outcomes were comparable for ROTA + DES and ROTA + POBA in severely calcified large coronary artery intervention with respect to midterm death or TLR rate, especially for short lesion of < 20 mm.

Correction to: Increased prevalence of cerebral microbleeds in patients with low left ventricular systolic function.

In the original publication of the article, under the results section, the following sentence.

Reappraisal Value of a Modified Rotational Atherectomy Technique in Contemporary Coronary Angioplasty Era.

OBJECTIVES: To introduce a modified rotational atherectomy (RA) procedure and investigate the early and midterm outcomes of the RA-facilitating diversified percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large group of aged patients with higher cardiovascular risk. BACKGROUND: Previous studies about the outcomes of RA were limited with small sample size and low-risk population. METHODS: Between January 2013 and November 2015, 1169 consecutive patients treated with modified RA-facilitated PCI were retrospectively enrolled, including de novo calcified lesions and in-stent restenosis. Patients were regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were analyzed for all participants by different strategies. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for the events. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 75 years, with 11.7% of patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Most lesions (99.9%) were complex (American Heart Association type B2/C), and 68.3% were treated with RA + drug-eluting-stent (DES). Successful angiography was achieved in 97.8% cases, with 1.7% (20/1169) experiencing coronary perforation (including guidewire perforation). The incidence of MACE was 20.5% and 26.8% at 1-year and 2-year follow-up and were mainly driven by target lesion revascularization (TLR) (10.3% and 12.5%, respectively). The strategy of RA + DES had the lowest 2-year MACE, compared with the RA + drug-coated balloon and RA + plain old balloon angioplasty (14.5%, 30.5%, and 26.0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The modified RA technique is a safe and effective tool in the contemporary PCI era, even in high-risk patients. The TLR rate was relatively high but acceptable in such complex lesions.

The usefulness of the decellularized matrix from three-dimensional regenerative cartilage as a scaffold material.

In cartilage tissue engineering, research on materials for three-dimensional (3D) scaffold has attracted attention. Decellularized matrix can be one of the candidates for the scaffold material. In this study, decellularization of regenerated cartilage was carried out and its effectiveness as a scaffold material was examined. Three-dimensionally-cultured cartilage constructs in the differentiation medium containing IGF-1 produced more cartilage matrix than those in the proliferation medium. Detergent-enzymatic method (DEM) could decellularize 3D-cultured cartilage constructs only by 1 cycle without breaking down the structure of the constructs. In vitro, newly-seeded chondrocytes were infiltrated and engrafted into decellularized constructs in the proliferation medium, and newly formed fibers were observed around the surface where newly-seeded cells were attached. Recellularized constructs could mature similarly as those without decellularization in vivo. The decellularized 3D-cultured matrix from regenerative cartilage is expected to be used as a scaffold material in the future.

Increased prevalence of cerebral microbleeds in patients with low left ventricular systolic function.

Gradient-echo T2-star (T2*)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive method to detect cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). The presence of CMBs was reported to be a marker of future cardiovascular mortality and is associated with various cardiovascular risk factors, use of antithrombotic drugs, and cognitive dysfunction. However, the relationship between cardiac function and CMBs remains unclear. We investigated the association between cardiac function and presence of CMBs in patients with cardiovascular diseases. This single-center retrospective study included a total of 424 participants (mean age 70 ± 12 years; men 286 (67%); mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 61% ± 12%] who underwent echocardiography and brain T2*-weighted MRI within 1 month without neurologic abnormality. CMBs were found in 118 (28%) patients. There was no significant relationship between CMBs and anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. LVEF was significantly lower in patients with CMBs than in those without CMBs (59% ± 13% vs. 62% ± 11%, P < 0.05). On multivariate logistic analysis, lower LVEF [odds ratio (OR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.00; P < 0.05] and age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.05; P < 0.05) were significantly associated with CMBs. The presence of CMBs was frequently observed in the patients with cardiovascular disease and was significantly associated with age and LVEF.

Predictors of clinical outcomes after coronary implantation of bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster stents in all-comers: A report of 1,727 cases.

BACKGROUND: Although bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster stents (BP-SESs) are likely useful for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), the clinical data from real-world cases are insufficient. Furthermore, the predictors of adverse clinical outcomes after BP-SES implantation have not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the 1-year clinical outcomes after BP-SES implantation in real-world PCI cases and identified the predictors of adverse outcomes. METHODS: In this single-center, all-comers study, we consecutively implanted BP-SESs in all patients who required coronary stents between October 2015 and August 2016. We conducted a clinical follow-up assessment of these patients. RESULTS: The sample comprised 1,727 patients; 67% were men, the mean age was 72 years, and 37% had diabetes. Of the 2,085 lesions detected, 88% were type B2/C lesions, 4% were chronic total occlusions (CTOs), and 23% were bifurcations. The cumulative incidences of target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target lesion failure (TLF) at 1-year were 2.4% and 5.2%, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that hemodialysis (HD) (hazard ratio [HR] 8.40) and CTO (HR 4.21) were independent predictors of TLR. Stent sizes ≤2.5 mm were not associated with either TLR or TLF. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicates that patients on HD and those with CTO were more likely to experience adverse clinical outcomes after BP-SES implantation. In contrast, small vessel diameter was not significantly related to adverse outcomes. The 1-year clinical outcomes after BP-SES implantation were found to be favorable among all-comer PCI cases, including patients receiving HD and those with in-stent restenosis.

Treatment of classic-type Hirschsprung's disease: rectoplasty with posterior triangular colonic flap versus transanal endorectal pull-through with rectoanal myotomy.

PURPOSE: Our institution employs rectoplasty with a posterior triangular colonic flap (RPTCF) for classic-type Hirschsprung's disease. Recently, we employed a modified Soave procedure: transanal endorectal pull-through with rectoanal myotomy (TEPTRAM). In both procedures, the internal sphincter muscle is completely divided vertically at the 6 o'clock position. Unlike RPTCF, TEPTRAM does not require abdominal manipulation. We aimed to verify the usefulness of TEPTRAM. METHODS: 64 patients with classic-type Hirschsprung's disease who underwent surgery between 1970 and 2017 were divided into group R (RPTCF, 47 cases) and group T (TEPTRAM, 17 cases). We compared the defecation function of the groups. RESULTS: No patient showed fecal incontinence (R: 0/41, T: 0/10, ns). Three patients (6%) in group R and four (24%) in group T developed postoperative enterocolitis (P = 0.16). Three patients (10%) in group R and one (20%) in group T needed an enema (P = 0.36). CONCLUSION: There was no adverse effect of rectoanal myotomy; incontinence was not observed in either procedure. Although there was no significant difference, the incidences of enterocolitis and constipation were slightly higher in group T, perhaps because of the residual muscle cuff; therefore, it is necessary to provide best care with attention to constipation immediately after surgery.

Treatment for in-stent restenosis requiring rotational atherectomy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) who underwent rotablation (RA) followed by balloon angioplasty (BA), drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, or drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty. BACKGROUND: Interventional treatment of ISR is occasionally challenging. Despite the availability of various percutaneous treatments, the optimal solution remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 200 patients with ISR who underwent RA were retrospectively identified from our institutional database. Clinical outcomes at 12 months and independent predictors of target lesion revascularization (TLR) were assessed. Of patients, 90, 55, and 55 underwent BA, DES implantation, and DCB angioplasty, respectively. The incidence of all-cause death, cardiac death, and hospitalization due to heart failure was low in all groups. Moreover, no definite stent thrombosis was observed in the three groups. The TLR rate of BA, DES implantation, and DCB angioplasty following RA for ISR were 40.7%, 35.0%, and 27.3%, respectively. The adjusted outcomes for TLR using the inverse probability of treatment weighting method based on propensity scores indicated that DCB angioplasty following RA was superior to BA after RA. Intraprocedural complications, which could be successfully managed with interventional treatment, were identified in only three cases. CONCLUSIONS: TLR at 12 months is dismal. RA is not effective for ISR requiring RA. In unfavorable settings, DCB angioplasty following RA is the most effective treatment option in patients with ISR requiring debulking strategy.

Rotational atherectomy and new-generation drug-eluting stent implantation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of rotational atherectomy (RA) followed by new-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in patients with an extensive amount of calcified and fibrotic plaque. BACKGROUND: RA followed by new-generation DES implantation for complex lesions has not been thoroughly evaluated. METHODS: A total of 744 consecutive patients (770 lesions) treated with new-generation DES implantation following RA for de novo lesions between January 2013 and November 2015 were retrospectively identified using our institutional database. Clinical outcomes at 12 months were evaluated and the independent predictors of all-cause death and target vessel failure (TVF) were assessed using Cox regression models. RESULTS: Target lesion revascularization occurred in 22 lesions (2.9%) and TVF occurred in 51 lesions (6.6%). In a multivariate analysis, hemodialysis, non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, low ejection fraction, and HbA1c ≧ 7% were associated with 12-month mortality. Hemodialysis and right coronary artery were identified as independent predictors of TVF (hazard ratio (HR) 4.107, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.194-7.685, P < .001; HR 2.491, 95% CI 1.023-6.062, P = .044, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A good debulking with RA followed by new-generation DES implantation is recommended for patients with an excessive amount of calcified and fibrotic plaque, as this will likely improve the clinical outcomes.

Isotope Effects on Trapped-Electron-Mode Driven Turbulence and Zonal Flows in Helical and Tokamak Plasmas.

Impacts of isotope ion mass on trapped-electron-mode (TEM)-driven turbulence and zonal flows in magnetically confined fusion plasmas are investigated. Gyrokinetic simulations of TEM-driven turbulence in three-dimensional magnetic configuration of helical plasmas with hydrogen isotope ions and real-mass kinetic electrons are realized for the first time, and the linear and the nonlinear nature of the isotope and collisional effects on the turbulent transport and zonal-flow generation are clarified. It is newly found that combined effects of the collisional TEM stabilization by the isotope ions and the associated increase in the impacts of the steady zonal flows at the near-marginal linear stability lead to the significant transport reduction with the opposite ion mass dependence in comparison to the conventional gyro-Bohm scaling. The universal nature of the isotope effects on the TEM-driven turbulence and zonal flows is verified for a wide variety of toroidal plasmas, e.g., axisymmetric tokamak and non-axisymmetric helical or stellarator systems.

Ileo-ileal knot: a rare case of acute strangulated intestinal obstruction.

Strangulated intestinal obstruction is one of the most common types of acute abdomen and requires urgent surgical treatment. Herein, we report a very rare case of strangulated intestinal obstruction caused by an ileo-ileal knot. An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with suspicion of strangulation ileus and underwent emergency laparotomy after investigation by exploratory single-port laparoscopy. During surgery, a small bowel gangrene caused by an ileo-ileal knot was found. The gangrenous segment was resected, and primary anastomosis was performed. Post-operative recovery was uneventful except for a minor wound infection. Our extensive search of the literature found only 7 case reports of ileo-ileal knot including ours. An ileo-ileal knot should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction, because this rare phenomenon requires urgent surgical treatment; and some complications should be considered during or after surgery.