Initial gastrointestinal endocrine cells (GIECs) likely appear at the proximal and distal sites of abdominal intestines and may take a close topographical relation with neural elements in the gut. We examined immunohistochemically-stained sections from 10 fetuses at approximately 8–18 weeks of gestational age (36–155 mm of crown-rump length). Irrespective of whether physiological herniation was present (early 5 specimens) or absent (the other 5), the duodenum and jejunum had well-developed mucosa with villi containing abundant flask-like chromogranin-positive cells. In the earlier 5 specimens, the rectum, standing up to a level of the umbilicus, had a lumen and villi with a few positive cells, but the colon carried neither the lumen or chromogranin-positive cells. The initial GIECs seemed to appear in the basal payer of the epithelium at the distal and proximal foci depending on double pathways of neural crest cell migration. Less number of the colic chromograninpositive cells, more than 5-times difference in density relative to small intestine, was seen in the larger 5 specimens. The appearance of GIECs was delayed at the anal transitional zone (a border area between the columnar and squamous epithelia).The reactivity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase was restricted in the myenteric plexus, whereas clusters of slender calretininpositive cells existed in the lamina propria or core of villi in the duodenum and colon. Relatively small, round or oval positive cells were also seen in the basal layer of the columnar epithelium. Therefore, calretinin-positive cells might exist closely to GIECs in the developing villi.

Methods: This study included 138 patients who underwent PLIF, with a mean age of 67 years and a follow-up period of 12 months. At 12 months postoperatively, lumbar computed tomography (CT) was performed to assess SL, and patients were categorized into SL and nonloosening (NL) groups accordingly. A propensity score-matched model was used to adjust for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Propensity score matching was performed to compare outcomes between the SL and NL groups. Results: Among the 138 patients, 29 (21%) developed SL following PLIF. Preliminary analysis revealed that the patients in the SL group were older and exhibited decreased femoral neck bone mineral density, preoperative pelvic retroversion, poor whole spine alignment, and lesser improvement in HRQOL compared with the NL group. Using propensity score matching, 22 patients were selected from each group (mean age, 72 years) (C-statistic=0.78). The propensity score-matched analysis demonstrated significant differences in the preoperative pelvic tilt (25.9° vs. 17.8°, p=0.010) between the matched SL and NL groups. Furthermore, the Oswestry Disability Index scores indicated poorer improvements in the matched SL group than in the matched NL group at 9 months postoperatively (p=0.025). Conclusions After matching, pre- and postoperative pelvic retroversion were significantly associated with SL. Patients with SL experienced significantly poorer improvement in HRQOL at 9 months postoperatively. Therefore, implementing strategies for preventing SL may enhance early postoperative HRQOL.

The University of Tokyo Disability Services Office and the University of Tokyo Hospital have striven to advance the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to encourage the co-production of research as well as mental health services with peer support workers. In convergence with these endeavors, the Center for Diversity in Medical Education and Research (CDMER) was founded in 2021. The Center aims to establish an environment and culture that facilitates the participation and success of medical professionals with disabilities. For this purpose, it is essential to integrate the perspective of the social model of disability into medical education and promote co-production in the medical field, which is among the most challenging areas that can realize co-production. The Center is involved in various educational and research activities, including managing educational programs for medical students and supporting student-led research.

Welwalk WW-1000® (WW-1000®) is a gait exercise-assisted robot. Suitable assistance was provided to the patients with hemiplegic legs in both stance and swing phases. In addition，this robot offers various forms of feedback to patients during exercise. We present the case of a patient with multiple sclerosis and left hemiplegia who underwent WW-1000® gait exercise.The 73-year-old patient required maximum assistance with metal ankle foot orthotics (AFO) and a quadruped cane prior to robot-based rehabilitation. The aims of gait exercise with the WW-1000® were as follows；① maintain the verticality of the trunk during the entire gait cycle；②shifting the center of gravity during stance phase on the nonparalytic limb；③stabilizing the swing phase on the paralytic limb, and enhancing support during the stance phase on the paralytic limb. Each aim was modified depending on level of achievement. Assistance with the WW-1000® activated the trunk and Nonparalytic limb (visual feedback was utilized in exercises). On day 9, the patient could walk using a plastic AFO and T-cane supervised by a therapist.The multifunctional WW-1000® is useful for subdividing gait goals, exercise and set stepwise aims consistent with the patient's abilities. Gait exercises using the WW-1000® may efficiently improve gait and helps adapt to changes in conditions in the subacute phase.

Low-grade epilepsy-associated tumors (LEAT) are brain tumors that should be differentiated as a cause of symptomatic epilepsy in children. The most common initial symptom is epileptic seizure, particularly focal seizures. We present a case of LEAT in which an infant presented to our department with convulsive-like seizures that were observed from approximately 3 months of age. At the first visit, growth and development, including head circumference, were appropriate for age. The seizures were atypical, but ictal video electroencephalography showed abnormal waves indicative of left hemispheric epilepsy. The patient subsequently presented with somnolence and poor feeding, and a sudden increase in head circumference and hydrocephalus were observed. Thus, the patient was urgently admitted to the neurosurgery department of our hospital. Brain MRI showed a suspected brain tumor and elective craniotomy was performed. No epileptic seizures were observed postoperatively. When focal epileptic seizures are observed in infancy, a brain tumor should also be considered as a differential diagnosis, and further examination may be warranted.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pilot usability used in a telenursing-based cancer pain monitoring system. Health care providers and advanced cancer patients who visited a hospital as outpatients (n=10/group) used and evaluated the system using a Web Usability Scale (WUS) and free description. Of the WUS seven factors, “comprehensibility” and “content reliability” received good evaluation, and “ease of operation”, “visual effects”, “responsiveness”, “usefulness”, and “acceptablity” didn’t received good evaluation. In the free description, the system was evaluated to enhance self-management of cancer pain, a request for expansion of operation, and social issues were shown. Improving patient usability is an issue, and sufficient orientation is required to verify the effects.

Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland mucosa type (GA-FGM) was proposed as a new variant of gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (GA-FG). However, at present, the influence of Helicobacter pylori and the speed of progression and degree of malignancy in GA-FGM remain unclear. Herein, we report the first case of intramucosal GA-FGM that was endoscopically observed before and after H. pylori eradication over 15 years. The lesion showed the same tumor size with no submucosal invasion and a low MIB-1 labeling index 15 years after its detection using endoscopy. The endoscopic morphology changed from 0-IIa before H. pylori eradication to 0-IIa+IIc and then 0-I after H. pylori eradication. These findings suggest that the unaltered tumor size reflects low-grade malignancy and slow growth, and that the endoscopic morphology is influenced by H. pylori eradication.

Through this meta-analysis, we sought to examine the prevalence of, risks for, and factors associated with bullying involvement (victimization, perpetration, perpetration-victimization) among students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, we attempted to examine sources of variance in the prevalence and effect sizes of bullying in students with ASD across studies. Systematic database and literature review identified 34 relevant studies (31 for Western countries, three for Eastern countries). Pooled prevalence estimates for victimization, perpetration, and perpetration-victimization in general were 67%, 29%, and 14%, respectively.The risk of victimization in students with ASD was significantly higher than that in typically developing students and students with other disabilities. Further, deficits in social interaction and communication, externalizing symptoms, internalizing symptoms, and integrated inclusive school settings were related to higher victimization, and externalizing symptoms were related to higher perpetration. Finally, moderation analyses revealed significant variations in the pooled prevalences thereof depending on culture, age, school settings, and methodological quality and in the pooled effect sizes according to publication year and methodological quality. Our results highlight needs for bullying intervention for students with ASD, especially those who are younger, are in an inclusive school setting, and have higher social difficulties and externalizing/internalizing symptoms; for intensive research of bullying experiences among students with ASD in Eastern countries; and for efforts to improve the methodological quality of such research.

Background  The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has increased to about 30 million people per year. 1.5% of them were injured or became sick during their travelin Japan and had to undergo medical treatment. Among the foreign tourists, 27% were not covered by travel health insurance.Case  A 40-year-old man from Southeast Asia who was visiting his relative in Japan experienced sudden hemiparesis and was diagnosed with cerebral infarction. During the initial treatment, it was found that the patient did not have health insurance and the relatives could not afford to pay the treatment costs. No other source of financial support was available to him During our consultations with the patient and his relatives about the medical treatment including medical expenses, he continued to be treated as an outpatient and it was aimed at an early return to his home country.Discussion  Foreigners, who are not covered under travel health insurance, could fall ill or sustain an injury during their stay in Japan. Appropriate medical care should be provided regardless of their ability to pay. However, a situation that could lead them to incur huge medical expenses from availing medical care should be avoided. For medical consultations of non-insured foreigners, it is better to consult the available systems and pay attention about feasible medical expenses. There is a need for a long-term vision of medical care to make a smooth transition from medical treatment in Japan to treatment in their home country.Conclusion  Although medical institutions can offer only a limited response, it is necessary to accumulate case examples from across the nation and prepare specific countermeasures and counselors.