1) The Medical (Dental) Education Eligibility Test was developed as the medical school admission test in Korea and was administered for the first time on August 29, 2004. The test evaluates reasoning abilities in language, natural sciences, and spatial relationships.
2) The language section assesses cognitive and communication abilities. The natural science section assesses cognitive ability on the basis of academic knowledge in the field, whereas the spatial relationships section evaluates aptitude expected of dentists in their clinical examinations.
3) Because entrance examinations have traditionally placed too much emphasis on academic knowledge and achievement, assessment of other kinds of aptitudes, such as ethics, cooperativeness, and communication skills, has recently become increasingly important. It remains to be seen how these aptitudes and interpersonal skills can be measured and scaled with admission tests.

1) The faculty development at each medical school from 2003 through 2005 was analysed.
2) The major themes in faculty development were problem based learning, tutorial, computer based testing, and clinical training.
3) Faculty development is considered an effective way to enhance the contributions of faculty members to medical education.

A nationwide survey of Japanese teachers belonging to departments of medicine was conducted to investigate their opinions about: 1) expanding medical departments into medical schools and, 2) the required subjects and selection criteria for admitting students to the faculty of medicine. We found that responses to both questions depended largely on the specialty of the teachers. With regard to the medical school design, which will cause a dramatic change in medical education in Japan, 60% of the teachers were in favor of expanding departments into medical schools.

A simplified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for fast and easy screening of mycoplasma mastitis in dairy cattle. Species of major mycoplasma strains [Mycoplasma (M.) bovis, M. arginini, M. bovigenitalium, M. californicum, M. bovirhinis, M. alkalescens and M. canadense] in cultured milk samples were detected by this simplified PCR-based method as well as a standard PCR technique. The minimum concentration limit for detecting mycoplasma by the simplified PCR was estimated to be about 2.5 x 10(3) cfu/mL and was similar to that of the standard PCR. We compared the specificity and sensitivity of the simplified PCR to those of a culture method. Out of 1,685 milk samples cultured in mycoplasma broth, the simplified PCR detected Mycoplasma DNA in 152 that were also positive according to the culture assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the simplified PCR were 98.7% and 99.7%, respectively, for detecting mycoplasma in those cultures. The results obtained by the simplified PCR were consistent with ones from standard PCR. This newly developed simplified PCR, which does not require DNA purification, can analyze about 300 cultured samples within 3 h. The results from our study suggest that the simplified PCR can be used for mycoplasma mastitis screening in large-scale dairy farms.
Animals ; Cattle ; Colony Count, Microbial/veterinary ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control/veterinary ; Female ; Mastitis, Bovine/diagnosis/*microbiology ; Milk/cytology/*microbiology ; Mycoplasma/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Mycoplasma Infections/diagnosis/microbiology/*veterinary ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between deep squatting or ROM of lower limbs, and physical function in typically developing children. 337 elementary school students were recruited for this study. The subjects were performed to squat with their heels down and then were divided into 2 groups: possible squatting and impossible squatting. ROM of lower limbs (hip flexion, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion), circumference of leg, standing long jump, the five-repetition sit-to stand test (FTSST) and a standing test were analyzed. Unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for the two-group comparison. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with squatting, and multiple regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with physical function. The rate of impossible squatting was 11.9%. The ROM of the lower limbs was significantly decreased in the impossible group. Multiple regression analysis showed that the ankle dorsiflexion ROM and BMI were correlated with squatting. In physical function, the FTSST and standing test were correlated with squatting. However, in the multiple regression analysis squatting did not significantly affect physical function. In this study, ROM of the ankle dorsiflexion and BMI affected the squatting. It was suggested that the squatting might be useful as a screening for ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

To help medical doctors practicing Kampo medicine suggest appropriate acupuncture treatments for individ­ual patients, a study group made up of 7 acupuncturists and 5 medical doctors developed an acupuncture cur­riculum. The group provided a learning program based on the curriculum for 16 medical doctors in charge of outpatient Kampo services in a research institute. The learning program consisted of a lecture and practical training, and a total of 4 sessions were held. At the end of each session, a test was conducted to examine the participants' level of understanding. After the completion of the learning program, a questionnaire survey was conducted to confirm the usefulness of the acupuncture curriculum for the practice of Kampo medicine. The mean number of participants per session was 10.8 ± 1.3. The mean test score was 9.3 ± 0.5 (full score : 10). In the questionnaire, 14 out of the 16 (88%) answered that the acupuncture curriculum was useful or relatively useful for the practice of Kampo medicine. On comparing the numbers of new acupuncture patients with a his­tory of outpatient Kampo service use before and after the acupuncture curriculum, there was a 1.8-fold increase after it. The results support the usefulness of the acupuncture curriculum to understand acupuncture and practice Kampo medicine. Further evaluation is necessary.