Genetic and Environmental Factors Affecting Peak Bone Mass in Premenopausal Japanese Women

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between peak bone mass and genetic and environmental factors. We measured whole-body bone mineral density (BMD), lumbar spine BMD, and radius BMD with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and analyzed eight genetic factors: vitamin D receptor (VDR)-3', VDR-5', estrogen receptor (ER), calcitonin receptor (CTR), parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), apolipoprotein E (ApoE), and fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2) allelic polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLPs). We also surveyed menstrual history, food intake, and history of physical activity using questionnaires. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), current smoking status, current Ca intake, alcohol intake, menoxenia, and physical activity, the mean BMD in subjects with the HH/Hh genotype was significantly higher than that of subjects with the hh genotype for whole-body BMD (mean±SD, 1.20±0.10 vs. 1.18 ±0.09 g/cm2; HH/Hh vs. hh, p=0.04) and at lumbar spine BMD (mean±SD, 1.18±0.14 vs. 1.14±0.12 g/cm2; HH/Hh vs. hh, p=0.02) in OC allelic polymorphism. Furthermore, the results of multiple regression analyses taking the 8 genetic factors plus the 7 environmental factors listed above into account showed that the strongest factor contributing to BMD was BMI at any site (whole-body and lumbar BMD p<0.0001, radius BMD p=0.0029). In addition, OC polymorphism (p=0.0099), physical activity (p=0.0245), menoxenia (p=0.0384), and PTH polymorphism (p=0.0425) were independent determinants for whole-body BMD, and OC polymorphism (p=0.0137) and physical activity (p=0.0421) were independent determinants for lumbar BMD and radius BMD, respectively.

The Present Condition and a Future Survey of Japanese Medical Graduate Schools (Master's Course) 1999 / 医学教育

To analyse the present condition and to survey Japanese medical graduate schools (Master's course), questionnaires were sent to all six universities in 1999. All the universities have the aim of, education of medical basic researchers, in common. This aim has high social needs. Four of the six universities also have the aim of, education of high grade specialists in the medical field. The number of applicants has increased for some national and public universities. For other universities, more public relations are necessary to increase the number of applicants. The social situation has altered, and finding employment has became difficult after completion of the course. It is therefore necessary to open new courses to match social needs. Buildings and equipment are not enough at present. As a result, a course for Master of Public Health will be established at Kyoto University.

The teaching of medical English in Japanese medical schools.A new approach / 医学教育

In the space available we have only been able to offer an overview of our courses. The student's response and performance encourage us to believe that we are on the right track. We strongly recommend that other medical schools try our approach and fully integrate the language courses into the medical curriculum. The result can be rewarding for both staff and students.