In recent years, the impact of gut microbiota on human health has gained increasing recognition, highlighting the potential benefits of regulating gut microbiota for patient care. Consequently, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a novel treatment for improving dysbiosis. It is necessary to summarize and discuss the current research and future development possibilities.

This advanced microbial therapy restores the gut microbiome by introducing a diverse array of microorganisms from healthy donors, thereby correcting dysbiosis and re-establishing a fully functional ecosystem. Ongoing research on FMT is actively conducted in various fields worldwide. This study provides an overview of the progress of clinical research on the effects of FMT in gastrointestinal diseases, immune checkpoint inhibitors, allergic diseases, and central nervous system diseases, as well as the results of our ongoing clinical study on “FMT combined with antibiotics for ulcerative colitis.”

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a systemic neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Although aging is the primary risk factor, environmental and genetic factors also contribute to risk, and identifying genetic risks may aid in preventive strategies. The present perspective outlines the two main genetic research strategies: research into familial PD using known causative gene screening and next-generation sequencing, and the analysis of sporadic PD using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Recent advances in next-generation sequencing have improved gene screening, allowing researchers to quickly and inexpensively identify novel rare variants. However, challenges remain, such as accurately analyzing repetitive sequences and structural variants. The role of neurologists in gathering clinical and genomic data ─ especially from familial cases ─ is crucial. International collaborations, such as the Global Parkinson’s Genetic Program, address issues such as population diversity and missing heritability in GWAS. Contributions from Juntendo University include the discovery of PD-related genes and the implementation of validation studies in Japanese populations. We also aim to develop molecular targeted therapies using induced pluripotent stem cells. To elucidate the unknown causes of PD and advance treatment approaches, it is important to continuously conduct genetic research.

Data science is revolutionizing various industries and its impact on healthcare and life sciences is particularly profound. The vast amounts of data generated in these fields present both opportunities and challenges, necessitating professionals to extract insights and create value from these data resources. However, effective data-driven solutions in healthcare require a unique combination of technical data science skills and deep-domain expertise in areas such as medicine, public health, and sports science. This review discusses the growing importance of domain knowledge in data science and the need for interdisciplinary professionals who can bridge the gap between data analysis and practical applications in the healthcare sector. Furthermore, this paper highlights specific applications of data science in healthcare and life sciences, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computational methods. By integrating cutting-edge data science techniques with profound domain understanding, these applications aim to drive innovation, advance medical research, improve patient outcomes, and deepen our understanding of human health and well-being. Overall, this review underscores the synergies between data science and domain expertise in healthcare and life sciences, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in unlocking the full potential of data-driven solutions in these critical fields.

Half a century has passed since microsurgical techniques were developed. These special techniques were exactly breakthrough in a variety of difficult situations in the field of reconstructive surgery. At present, the field of reconstructive microsurgery is further progressed with the development of microsurgical equipment and microscopes and matured enough to be considered with strategic approach.

Objectives The number of elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is increasing due to the extension of life expectancy and advances in pharmacotherapy. Although exercise therapy has shown to be effective in patients with RA, there is a lack of evidence specifically focusing solely on elderly patients. We aimed to review the evidence for the effects of exercise therapy on elderly patients with RA.

Design Systematic review.

Methods An electronic search was conducted on June 30th, 2023, in five online databases. Controlled clinical trials investigating the effects of exercise therapy on elderly patients with RA were included. No restrictions were placed on the exercise therapy or outcomes to examine the effects of exercise therapy broadly. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials and the risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions.

Results Out of the 4,177 articles identified, only three studies were included. All three studies were judged to have a high or serious risk of bias. The exercise therapies in the included studies were Arthritis self-management programs, Tai Chi, and grip-strengthening exercise. Arthritis self-management programs and Tai Chi showed the positive effects, whereas grip-strengthening exercise reported no effectiveness.

Conclusions In a few controlled clinical trials, the effects of exercise therapy on elderly patients with RA have been investigated, suggesting that the evidence on these effects is very limited. Considering that the society will continue to age, further studies on this topic are required.

Post-acute COVID-19 conditions, commonly known as ‘long COVID’, occur in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) infection, typically 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms, lasting for at least 2 months, that cannot be explained by any alternative diagnoses.

Although most symptoms improve over time, some patients experience significant limitations in their social lives. Under such circumstances, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions are growing in popularity as possible treatments for long COVID symptoms. There are a wide variety of CAM interventions, such as traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo medicine) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, we compared three studies using Kampo medicine with those using TCM and concluded that Kampo medicine, which is often practiced in Japan due to its historical background, may have some limitations in managing the diverse symptoms of long COVID because the symptoms of long COVID vary widely. Therefore, we propose that medical examinations based on TCM should also be considered as an alternative treatment strategy for patients with long COVID.

Objectives Physical therapy education depends on hands-on training. However, the COVID-19 pandemic limited face-to-face demonstrations. This study considers the use of smart glasses, devices that allow real-time information sharing from remote locations. We investigated the efficacy of teachers’ use of smart glasses during a class on students’ subjective mastery of applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).

Methods 119 second-grade students from the physical therapy department were randomly divided into three groups: smart glasses demonstration combined with video watching (smart glasses, n = 40), face-to-face demonstration combined with video watching (face-to-face, n = 40), and video watching only (video only, n = 39). All groups watched a 10-minute video on NMES guidance. The smart glasses group practiced NMES while viewing a shared demonstration via smart glasses worn by the teacher. The face-to-face group received a demonstration from the teacher before practicing NMES. All groups completed a questionnaire on their mastery of NMES.

Results In terms of NMES mastery, 85% of students in the smart glasses group scored the highest, followed by 82% in the face-to-face group and 64% in the video only group. The smart glasses group found it significantly easier to view the device’s operating screen during the demonstration than the face-to-face group. Conversely, concentration, and ease of asking questions were significantly higher in the face-to-face group than the smart glasses group.

Conclusions NMES education using smart glasses could be as effective as face-to-face demonstrations in promoting students’ subjective mastery, but further actions are needed to compensate for the shortcomings.

Object Down syndrome (DS) is often associated with autoimmune diseases; however, its association with multiple sclerosis (MS) has rarely been reported. In a previous report, the coincidence of DS and MS showed a negative association. Here, we searched for the coincidence of DS and MS, and attempted to resolve this negative association, focusing on the gene dosage effect, by utilizing available reports.

Case presentation A 44-year-old woman with DS experienced a progressively worsening gait at onset. Auto-immuno-antibodies including aquaporin-4 antibody were negative. On the basis of brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings, the patient was diagnosed with possible MS. After three years, the patient demonstrated additional signs and regression symptoms. Re-examined brain MRI showed multiple new focal lesions. Based on the McDonald criteria, the patient was diagnosed with laboratory-supported defined MS.

Discussion To date, we have found only one case report in the literature describing the development of MS in a 49-year-old man with DS. The protective effect of DS against the development of MS might be mediated by a gain of function due to a gene dosage effect, and the effect of candidate antigens could be interferon alpha and beta receptors, S100B, and amyloid precursor protein (APP).

Conclusions In patients with DS, S100B and APP overexpression could protect against MS, but both correlate with the progression of Alzheimer’s neuropathological changes. S100B and APP can be seemed to be multiple pathogenesis and co-occurrence of MS with DS and Alzheimer’s dementia may advance more severely than MS without DS.

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between regular dental visits and the oral health status.

Design This was a retrospective study.

Methods We included 3,138 patients who visited the preoperative outpatient clinic and underwent oral examinations between April and September 2020. Patients whose last dental visit occurred less than one year prior to data collection constituted the regular visit group, while the irregular-visit group comprised those with a last dental visit beyond one year prior to data collection. We examined the following information: last dental visit, sex, age, disease causing hospitalization, frequency of daily brushing, presence or absence of moving teeth, and oral hygiene status.

Results The frequency of brushing was lower in the irregular-visit group than in the regular-visit group, suggesting a lower awareness of oral health in the irregular-visit group. Furthermore, the oral hygiene status in the regular-visit group was better than that in the irregular-visit group, with more patients showing no tartar deposition.

Conclusions Regular dental checkups can mitigate perioperative complications, preventing them from adversely affecting the treatment of the underlying disease. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of oral management, explain the need for it, and actively encourage regular dental visits.

A 81 - year - old man was transported to the emergency department of nearby hospital due to macroscopic hematuria, abdominal pain, and difficulty moving. When he arrived at the hospital, his blood pressure was decreased and he was in critical condition due to shock. Computed tomography (CT) showed that the bladder was filled with blood clots and ascites retention was recognized. Hemorrhagic and septic shock due to bladder hemorrhage was suspected. After admission, his blood pressure was stabilized after blood transfusion, fluid replacement and antibiotic treatment. But his hemoglobin level did not improved sufficiently on blood sampling. Bladder hemorrhage was considered to be prolonged. A cystography showed a rupture point at the apex of the bladder, and it was determined that surgical treatment was necessary. On the third day of admission, a partial resection of the perforated bladder wall was performed. Postoperatively, hematuria was improved, and the patient was well recovered with no progression of anemia. Spontaneous bladder rupture is a rare disease, and its accurate diagnosis is difficult to make because the clinical symptoms vary. It is important to perform cystourethrography promptly to make a correct diagnosis and to proceed to surgical treatment at the appropriate time.