1) During clinical clerkships at an outpatient clinic, medical students recognized the importance of medical interviews for problem-solving and for the physician-patient relationship.
2) The clinical clerkships were well accepted by patients.
3) Students worked harmoniously as members of medical teams.

BACKGROUND : Because of its high incidence, sensitivity to specific antibiotics, and rare but severe complications, campylobacter enteritis needs to be confirmed or excluded accurately and rapidly. We investigated the validity of Gram staining of a stool sample as a quick and useful method of diagnosing campylobacter enteritis in patients with acute diarrhea presenting at primary healthcare centers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : Stool samples obtained from 64 patients with acute diarrhea were sent to a laboratory for Gram staining and culture. To estimate the usefulness of Gram staining, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio (LR) of Gram staining. Subject profiles, symptoms and peripheral white cell counts were also examined to see if they could raise the pre-test probability prior to the Gram staining test.
RESULTS : Of 64 subjects with acute diarrhea, 38 had C. jejuni (n=37) or C. coli (n=1) (campylobacter group), and 26 had other causes (control group). Gram staining revealed campylobacter-like bacteria (Cb-like bacteria) in 22 samples from the campylobacter group and 3 from the control group, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 0.58 and 0.88, respectively. The positive LR was 5.02 (95%CI : 1.67-15.05), and the negative LR was 0.48 (0.32-0.71). Other factors such as patient age, disease duration, fever, abdominal pain and leucocytosis failed to raise the pre-test probability prior to Gram staining test. Taking a thorough history of food intake can raise the pre-test probability, although this may be difficult and was not evaluated in this study.
CONCLUSION : Gram staining can assist in making the diagnosis of campylobacter enteritis in patients with acute diarrhea, but it cannot be used alone to make or exclude the diagnosis.

1)Professionalism should be explicitly introduced as a fundamental content into curricula/programs of undergraduate medical education, postgraduate clinical training, and of continuing medical education provided by professional societies and the Japan Medical Association.
2)We need to enhance our research activities on goals and objectives which should be accomplished through professionalism education, effective learning strategies, appropriate assessment methods, as well as the impact of informal and hidden curricula.
3)We propose that the medical profession should collaboratively develop various activities to win the trust of the general society in tandem with the introduction of professionalism education.

Objective: For effective use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that are provided as relief supplies during a disaster, we aimed to develop a list of OTC drugs that can be used during a disaster.
Methods: We obtained information about OTC drugs useful during a disaster by examining results of previous studies and lists of drugs used during a disaster.  We analyzed this information with the expert pharmacist of disaster support and established a rationale for our list and developed “the List of Useful OTC Drugs During a Disaster” and “the Information Card on Useful OTC Drugs During a Disaster.”
Results: We developed our list of OTC drugs based on the following parameters: (1) while people with severe disorders (e.g. renal failure) are treated by medical teams, those with minor physical conditions are treated using OTC drugs and (2) those OTC drugs that can be used as substitutes for prescription drugs were preferably selected.  The List of Useful OTC Drugs ()—During a Disaster (containing 56 items) was developed for use mainly by medical professionals.  Further, pharmacists from disaster-relief medical teams may not always be available in disaster-stricken areas; therefore, the Information Card on Useful OTC Drugs During a Disaster was developed to enable disaster victims to independently make a certain level of decision.  The information card contained pictograms to call the attention of the disaster victims.
Conclusion: Our results can provide a common tool for drug suppliers, medical professionals engaging in relief works in disaster-stricken areas, and disaster victims.

Objective: To describe anatomic patterns of the superficial uterine vein (sUV) and assess their association with aspects of the dissection procedure of the anterior layer of the vesicouterine ligament (aVUL) by retrospectively reviewing surgical videos. Methods: We analyzed patients who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer from 2014 to 2019. The primary endpoint was the time required for aVUL dissection. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors influencing the time required for aVUL dissection. Results: Fifty-three Japanese patients were included. Two sUV configurations were observed:type 1 (the vein ran ventral to the ureter along the uterine artery) and type 2 (the vein did not run along the usual ventral course; it ran dorsal to the ureter or was absent). Approximately 30% of the sUVs were type 2. The total time for dissection of both sides of the aVUL was significantly shorter for type 2 sUVs than for type 1 sUVs. The number of hemostatic interventions during dissection of each side of the aVUL was significantly lower for type 2 sUVs than for type 1 sUVs. In the multivariate analysis, the sUV configuration was the factor significantly influencing the duration of aVUL dissection on each side (right side: β=−143.4;left side, β=−160.4). Conclusion We demonstrated that the sUV had 2 types of courses, ventral and others, and its course affected the time required for dissection and the number of hemostatic interventions.Our results provide information supportive of improved radical hysterectomy outcomes.

Objective: To describe anatomic patterns of the superficial uterine vein (sUV) and assess their association with aspects of the dissection procedure of the anterior layer of the vesicouterine ligament (aVUL) by retrospectively reviewing surgical videos. Methods: We analyzed patients who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer from 2014 to 2019. The primary endpoint was the time required for aVUL dissection. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors influencing the time required for aVUL dissection. Results: Fifty-three Japanese patients were included. Two sUV configurations were observed:type 1 (the vein ran ventral to the ureter along the uterine artery) and type 2 (the vein did not run along the usual ventral course; it ran dorsal to the ureter or was absent). Approximately 30% of the sUVs were type 2. The total time for dissection of both sides of the aVUL was significantly shorter for type 2 sUVs than for type 1 sUVs. The number of hemostatic interventions during dissection of each side of the aVUL was significantly lower for type 2 sUVs than for type 1 sUVs. In the multivariate analysis, the sUV configuration was the factor significantly influencing the duration of aVUL dissection on each side (right side: β=−143.4;left side, β=−160.4). Conclusion We demonstrated that the sUV had 2 types of courses, ventral and others, and its course affected the time required for dissection and the number of hemostatic interventions.Our results provide information supportive of improved radical hysterectomy outcomes.

Objective: To describe anatomic patterns of the superficial uterine vein (sUV) and assess their association with aspects of the dissection procedure of the anterior layer of the vesicouterine ligament (aVUL) by retrospectively reviewing surgical videos. Methods: We analyzed patients who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer from 2014 to 2019. The primary endpoint was the time required for aVUL dissection. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors influencing the time required for aVUL dissection. Results: Fifty-three Japanese patients were included. Two sUV configurations were observed:type 1 (the vein ran ventral to the ureter along the uterine artery) and type 2 (the vein did not run along the usual ventral course; it ran dorsal to the ureter or was absent). Approximately 30% of the sUVs were type 2. The total time for dissection of both sides of the aVUL was significantly shorter for type 2 sUVs than for type 1 sUVs. The number of hemostatic interventions during dissection of each side of the aVUL was significantly lower for type 2 sUVs than for type 1 sUVs. In the multivariate analysis, the sUV configuration was the factor significantly influencing the duration of aVUL dissection on each side (right side: β=−143.4;left side, β=−160.4). Conclusion We demonstrated that the sUV had 2 types of courses, ventral and others, and its course affected the time required for dissection and the number of hemostatic interventions.Our results provide information supportive of improved radical hysterectomy outcomes.

Syndrome of the trephined (SoT) is a complication that develops weeks to months after decompression craniotomy. Previous studies have reported cases in which paralysis, disturbance of consciousness, and cognitive impairment associated with the primary disease worsened, and cases in which new neurological symptoms appeared in addition to the primary disease. It is known that cranioplasty rapidly improves these symptoms, but there are few reports on rehabilitation treatment for SoT. In this report, we describe a case of paralysis limited to the right hand due to SoT. The patient was a 34-year-old male who underwent decompression craniotomy for a left acute subdural hematoma on day X-180. No paralysis or cognitive impairment were observed. He was discharged home on day X-106, but paralysis of the right hand appeared around day X-100. The cause was unknown, but it was suspected to be due to the decompression craniotomy. He received cranioplasty on day X, and was referred to the rehabilitation department on day X+1. We considered that the paralysis was influenced by SoT, and a task-oriented training and electrical stimulation therapy approach was applied. The paralysis improved rapidly and the patient recovered completely on day X+29. This case suggests that SoT resulting in paralysis limited to the fingers may have a good prognosis and that high goals can be set in rehabilitation treatment.

Syndrome of the trephined (SoT) is a complication that develops weeks to months after decompression craniotomy. Previous studies have reported cases in which paralysis, disturbance of consciousness, and cognitive impairment associated with the primary disease worsened, and cases in which new neurological symptoms appeared in addition to the primary disease. It is known that cranioplasty rapidly improves these symptoms, but there are few reports on rehabilitation treatment for SoT. In this report, we describe a case of paralysis limited to the right hand due to SoT. The patient was a 34-year-old male who underwent decompression craniotomy for a left acute subdural hematoma on day X-180. No paralysis or cognitive impairment were observed. He was discharged home on day X-106, but paralysis of the right hand appeared around day X-100. The cause was unknown, but it was suspected to be due to the decompression craniotomy. He received cranioplasty on day X, and was referred to the rehabilitation department on day X+1. We considered that the paralysis was influenced by SoT, and a task-oriented training and electrical stimulation therapy approach was applied. The paralysis improved rapidly and the patient recovered completely on day X+29. This case suggests that SoT resulting in paralysis limited to the fingers may have a good prognosis and that high goals can be set in rehabilitation treatment.

In the revised Core Curriculum, professionalism is listed as one of the basic qualities and abilities required of physicians. The definition of professionalism and related learning objectives (1. trust, 2. compassion, 3. liberal arts, and 4. bioethics) are also presented. However, the Core Curriculum does not explain why these objectives were listed. Therefore, some of them are difficult to understand or differ from what has been discussed in previous meetings of the current subcommittee (and previous committees). To properly and effectively advance professionalism education, it is necessary to confirm the contents of the revised Core Curriculum that are insufficient or inappropriate. It is also necessary to deepen the discussion for the next revision of the Core Curriculum. A symposium was held for this purpose. The main points of each lecture are presented within this report.