AIM:To investigate the expression and distribution of junction adhesion molecule-1(JAM-1)in human corneal epithelium and compare with that of occludin.METHODS:The expression in RNAs of JAM-1 and occludin was revealed by RT-PCR and the presence of protein was analyzed by the FACS method.Double immunofluorescent staining was used to determine the tissue distribution of JSM-1 and occludin in human corneal epithelium.RESULTS:The expression of JAM-1 and occludin was found in cultured human corneal epithelial cells.The double immunofluorescent study showed positive staining for JAM-1 at cell borders in the entire epithelial layer,while relatively extensive staining was seen in the superficial layer,where it COexisted with the expression of ocdudin.CONCLUSION:JAM-1 was expressed in entire layer of human corneal epithelium encircling the cells.

For the purpose of pharmacists to be able to be more involved clinically, the pharmacy education system in Japan was revised in April 2006 and the term length of pharmacy education was extended from 4 years to 6 years.
The Japanese Society for Pharmacoepidemiology is deeply concerned about the new curriculum which will be adopted for the 6-year course, especially the handling of pharmacoepidemiology education. Two questionnaire surveys were sent to the dean of all schools of pharmacy to inquire whether they lecture pharmacoepidemiology and, if not, what study in pharmaceutical sciences would be most closely related to pharmacoepidemiology. The surveys were conducted just before and just after the introduction of the new system, in October 2005 and July 2007. The recovery of the first and second survey were 90% and 76%, respectively.
In the first survey only 17 universities (31%) had lectures on pharmacoepidemiology but in the second survey 31 universities (57%) did, and in 55% of these 31 universities the lecture was required. The result indicates that the understanding of professors of pharmacy school regarding the lecture have been gradually promoted and they feel that pharmacoepidemiology is going to be considered to be one of the essential lectures in pharmacy education in Japan. However, many responders indicated that pharmacoepidemiology was still an immature field of study and there are few appropriate textbooks and no teaching experts, and therefore, the society should take these matters into reconsideration.