Development and Application of an Interactive Neuropathology iBook as a Complementary Learning Tool for Veterinary Medicine Students.

Neuropathology is a challenging subject for most medical students. Delivering a gamified learning tool on this topic may motivate students and increase knowledge in the discipline. We report the development of such a tool in iBook format for the systemic pathology course delivered at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Composed of 10 chapters (cases), this Neuropathology iBook (NP-iB) reviews basic clinical manifestations, neuropathology, and pathogenesis of common non-neoplastic conditions that cause brain disease in domestic animals. The goal of each chapter is to reach a diagnosis by interactively answering specific questions after reviewing relevant medical history, clinical pathology, and autopsy findings. Our hypothesis: the NP-iB improves students' ability to recognize these diseases, reflected in higher test scores. Using a post-test only control group design, data were gathered from all students enrolled in the course in two different semesters, fall 2017 and spring 2018 (n = 300). NP-iB users (n = 51, 17%) and usage time were identified by answers to multiple-choice questions embedded in the course assessments. Ninety percent of users had a positive perception although no statistically significant differences were found in median test scores between users and non-users. Statistically significant test score differences were found across how much time students used the NP-iB (p = .005); the lowest test score median values were found for neuropathology questions not related to the NP-iB, in students who used it for more than 3 hours. Unexpectedly, a low number of students preferred this digital learning tool, and its use did not improve their learning outcomes.

High rates of detection and complete genomic analysis of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) in the Lesser Antilles island of St. Kitts: Identification of PCV2b-PCV2d recombinants.

Although porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is an economically important pathogen of swine, there is a lack of information on PCV2 from the Lesser Antilles. In this retrospective study, we report high rates of detection of PCV2 DNA in porcine faecal (41.3%, 26/63) and kidney (32.8%, 20/61) samples from the Lesser Antilles island of St. Kitts. Most of the PCV2-positive faecal samples were from diarrhoeic piglets (23/26), with 15 animals exhibiting stunted growth and/or weight loss. Although the PCV2-positive kidneys were from slaughter age, clinically healthy pigs, microscopically, various degrees of inflammation (mild, moderate or severe) were observed in 18 kidneys. Rotavirus-A, porcine parvovirus and torque teno sus virus were detected in 2, 4 and 14 PCV2-positive samples, respectively. The complete genomes of 18 St. Kitts PCV2 strains were amplified using three overlapping nested PCR assays designed in the present study. By phylogenetic analysis of PCV2 open reading frame 2 (ORF2) and complete genomes, 15 St. Kitts strains were assigned to genotype PCV2b. The remaining three PCV2 strains were identified as PCV2b-PCV2d recombinants, with the involvement of ORF2 in two of the strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report on detection and genotyping of PCV2 strains from the Lesser Antilles. Considering the significant contributions of pig farming to the regional livestock economy and increasing demand for local pork in the Lesser Antilles, our findings emphasize the importance of future studies on surveillance and genotyping of PCV2 in other Caribbean islands of the region.

Veterinary Students and Faculty Partner in Developing a Virtual Three-Dimensional (3D) Interactive Touch Screen Canine Anatomy Table.

As educational technology advances, it is imperative that universities responsibly and appropriately adapt new approaches to enhance teaching and learning. Over a 6-month period, veterinary students at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) spearheaded the improvement of a proprietary prototype virtual interactive three-dimensional (3D), touch screen, canine anatomy table (APEX). Eight veterinary students with a grade of 80% or higher in their anatomy courses were hired as research assistants to identify and characterize 306 virtual anatomical structures. Descriptive statistics were used to assess students' (1) accuracy in reviewing assigned anatomical structures, and (2) perceptions surrounding the use of APEX as an educational anatomical tool. The overall accuracy rating was 3.73 on a 4-point scale, and students reported their experience as enjoyable (median 4 on a 5-point Likert scale) and beneficial to their knowledge of veterinary anatomy (median 4). In addition, 29 RUSVM faculty were surveyed on both the prototype APEX table as well as the student-improved version. Faculty agreement with utilization of APEX in RUSVM curriculum increased from Likert mean = 2.0 to a mean of 3.9 (p = < 0.001) between the two versions. Study results support the use of veterinary students to critically assess the development of anatomical educational tools for veterinary anatomy. Furthermore, students and faculty supported acceptance of technology in teaching and learning veterinary anatomy, and reported enjoyment and benefit of its use.

High detection rates of Torque teno sus virus in co-infection with important viral pathogens in porcine kidneys on St. Kitts Island, Lesser Antilles.

We report here high rates of detection (50.8%, 31/61 pigs) of Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) in kidneys of slaughter-age, apparently healthy pigs on St. Kitts island, Lesser Antilles. TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a were detected in 23 (37.7%) and 13 (21.3%) pigs, respectively, including mixed infection in five animals. By nucleotide sequence identities and phylogenetic analysis, significant genetic diversity was observed among both TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a on St. Kitts, with TTSuVk2a showing higher genetic diversity than TTSuV1. Fourteen (45.2%) and 10 (32.2%) of the TTSuV infected pigs tested positive for porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine parvovirus (PPV), respectively, revealing high rates of co-infection of TTSuV with PCV2 and PPV. This is the first report on detection and genetic diversity of TTSuV from the Lesser Antilles. Also, PCV2 and PPV were detected for the first time in the Lesser Antilles. Considering the impact of pig farming on the regional livestock economy, the increasing demand for local pork and lack of information on emerging and re-emerging porcine viruses in the Lesser Antilles, the present findings have important implications on swine health.

Comparación de proporciones áuricas encontradas antes y después de la rehabilitación con prótesis totales / Comparative study of auric proportions found before and after rehabilitation with dentures

Introducción: La belleza tiene una "proporción ideal" que se presenta en ciertas formas geométricas de la naturaleza con las características de ser armónicas, simétricas y equilibradas. Según Ricketts "es necesario utilizar proporciones áuricas ya que son atractivas y recordadas en el sistema límbico como bellas, armónicas y equilibradas". Objetivo: comparar proporciones faciales en el paciente desdentado sin prótesis y después de la rehabilitación con prótesis totales. Métodos: se obtuvieron los datos de 41 pacientes rehabilitados en la Clínica Odontológica de Prótesis Totales del Departamento de Prótesis, de la Universidad de Chile. Ellos fueron fotografiados mediante el equipo de Cone beam computed volumetric tomography con escaneo facial integrado y luego se midieron y compararon tres proporciones faciales antes y después de la rehabilitación con prótesis removible, y se observó cómo estas proporciones se acercaban o alejaban de la proporción áurica. El análisis estadístico de los datos obtenidos se realizó utilizando el software STATA 11. Se aplicaron las pruebas de Shapiro-Wilk y t de Student. Resultados: en la proporción 1 antes de la rehabilitación, se observó que 51,2 por ciento de los pacientes presentó proporción áurica y después de la rehabilitación se obtuvo que 63,4 por ciento presentó proporción áurica. En la proporción 2 antes de la rehabilitación, se observó que 22 por ciento de los pacientes presentó proporción áurica y después de la rehabilitación se obtuvo que 17,1 por ciento presentó proporción áurica. En la proporción 3 antes de la rehabilitación, se observó que ningún paciente presentó una proporción áurica y después de la rehabilitación se obtuvo que 7,3 por ciento presentó proporción áurica. Conclusiones: en esta muestra se presenta un cambio significativo en las proporciones faciales encontradas antes y después de la rehabilitación con prótesis en el paciente adulto mayor. La proporción ángulo externo del ojo a Stomion, en proporción con Stomion a Menton es la que muestra mayor cercanía a la proporción áurica antes y después de la rehabilitación con prótesis totales(AU)

Introduction: beauty has an "ideal proportion" that occurs in certain shapes of nature with the characteristics of being harmonious, symmetrical and balanced. According to Ricketts, you need to use auric proportions as they are attractive and remembered in the limbic as beautiful, harmonious and balanced system. Objective: to compare facial auricle proportions in the edentulous patient without dentures and after rehabilitation with dentures. Methods: we obtained data of 41 patients rehabilitated with total dental prostheses at the Clinic Department of Prosthodontics, University of Chile. They were photographed by the team of Cone beam computed volumetric tomography with facial scanning integrated and then measured and compared three facial proportions before and after rehabilitation with removable prosthesis, watching these ratios approaching or receding from the auric proportion. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using software STATA version 11. The tests Shapiro-Wilk and Student-T test were applied. Results: in the facial proportion 1 before rehabilitation, was observed that 51.2 percent of patients have auric proportion and after rehabilitation was obtained that 63.4 percent had auric proportion. In the facial proportion 2 before rehabilitation, was observed that 22 percent of patients had auric proportion and after rehabilitation was obtained that 17.1 percent had auric proportion. In the facial proportion 3 before rehabilitation, was observed that no patient had auric proportion and after rehabilitation we found that 7.3 percent had auric proportion. Conclusions: in this sample shows a significant change in facial proportions found before and after prosthetic rehabilitation in the elderly patients. Proportion external angle of the eye Stomion in proportion to Stomion Menton is showing closer to the auric ratio before and after rehabilitation with dentures(AU)

Percepción estética del paciente desdentado comparada con la opinión de expertos / The aesthetic self-perception of the edentulous patient compared to the opinion of experts

Objetivo Relacionar la autopercepción estética de pacientes desdentados rehabilitados protésicamente con la opinión de expertos en estética facial. Materiales y métodos A una muestra por conveniencia de 40 pacientes desdentados se les tomó 2 fotografías faciales 3D: sin prótesis y con prótesis nuevas, respectivamente. Posteriormente a cada paciente se le mostró sus imágenes y evaluó su satisfacción respecto al cambio facial mediante una pregunta en escala tipo Likert. A continuación se mostró las imágenes a 5 profesionales con especialidades relacionadas con estética facial, quienes evaluaron el cambio facial de cada paciente utilizando la misma escala tipo Likert. Finalmente, se procedió a comparar los resultados mediante el test no paramétrico de Wilcoxon para determinar diferencias estadísticas entre las preferencias de los pacientes y los expertos. Resultados Tanto las respuestas de los pacientes como de los expertos fueron positivas. Se encontró diferencia estadística al comparar las respuestas de ambos grupos, con un valor p = 0,00, siendo los expertos más críticos en su evaluación. Conclusión La autopercepción estética del paciente desdentado total rehabilitado con prótesis totales y la opinión del panel de expertos son concordantes, siendo ambas positivas. Cabe destacar que estos últimos fueron más críticos en sus apreciaciones.

Objective To determine the relationship between the aesthetic self-perception of edentulous patients rehabilitated with dentures and the opinion of facial aesthetics experts. Materials and methods Two facial 3D photographs, without dentures and with new dentures, respectively, were taken of a convenience sample of 40 edentulous patients. The images were subsequently shown to the patients, and they assessed their satisfaction of the facial change using Likert scale question. The photographs of the patients were also shown to 5 professionals with specialties related to facial aesthetics. Facial change was evaluated using the same Likert scale as the patients. Finally, the results were compared using the non-parametric Wilcoxon test to determine any statistical differences between the preferences of patients and the experts. Results The perception of patients and experts are positive. Significant statistical differences were found after comparing the responses of both groups, with p=.00, with the experts being more critical in their assessment. Conclusion The aesthetic perception of edentulous patients rehabilitated with complete dentures and the opinion of a panel of aesthetic experts are concordant, both being positive. It is important to note that experts were more critical in their assessment.

Detection and genotyping of Leptospira spp. from the kidneys of a seemingly healthy pig slaughtered for human consumption.

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp.  Leptospirosis is maintained in an environment due to chronic kidney infection of a wide variety of domestic, peridomestic and wild reservoir mammals. In this study the role of pigs in maintenance of leptospires on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts was investigated. METHODOLOGY: The condemned kidneys of 60 pigs slaughtered at a St. Kitts abattoir were screened by a quantitative-PCR for the presence of Leptospira spp. Positive samples were genotyped using a six-gene based multilocus sequence typing scheme. RESULTS: Leptospiral DNA was detected in the kidneys of one of the 60 pigs. Multilocus sequence typing identified the infecting species to be L. interrogans. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of this zoonotic pathogen in the kidneys of a seemingly healthy pig raises concerns regarding the subclinical carriers of the disease among the island's swine population.

Defining parasite biodiversity at high latitudes of North America: new host and geographic records for Onchocerca cervipedis (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) in moose and caribou.

BACKGROUND: Onchocerca cervipedis is a filarioid nematode of cervids reported from Central America to boreal regions of North America. It is found primarily in subcutaneous tissues of the legs, and is more commonly known as 'legworm'. Blackflies are intermediate hosts and transmit larvae to ungulates when they blood-feed. In this article we report the first records of O. cervipedis from high latitudes of North America and its occurrence in previously unrecognized host subspecies including the Yukon-Alaska moose (Alces americanus gigas) and the Grant's caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti). METHODS: We examined the subcutaneous connective tissues of the metacarpi and/or metatarsi of 34 moose and one caribou for parasitic lesions. Samples were collected from animals killed by subsistence hunters or animals found dead in the Northwest Territories (NT), Canada and Alaska (AK), USA from 2005 to 2012. Genomic DNA lysate was prepared from nematode fragments collected from two moose. The nd5 region of the mitochondrial DNA was amplified by PCR and sequenced. RESULTS: Subcutaneous nodules were found in 12 moose from the NT and AK, and one caribou from AK. Nematodes dissected from the lesions were identified as Onchocerca cervipedis based on morphology of female and male specimens. Histopathological findings in moose included cavitating lesions with multifocal granulomatous cellulitis containing intralesional microfilariae and adults, often necrotic and partially mineralized. Lesions in the caribou included periosteitis with chronic cellulitis, eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, and abundant granulation associated with intralesional adult nematodes and larvae. Sequences of the nd5 region (471bp), the first generated for this species, were deposited with Genbank (JN580791 and JN580792). Representative voucher specimens were deposited in the archives of the United States National Parasite Collection. CONCLUSIONS: The geographic range of O. cervipedis is broader than previously thought, and extends into subarctic regions of western North America, at least to latitude 66°N. The host range is now recognized to include two additional subspecies: the Yukon-Alaska moose and Grant's caribou. Accelerated climate change at high latitudes may affect vector dynamics, and consequently the abundance and distribution of O. cervipedis in moose and caribou. Disease outbreaks and mortality events associated with climatic perturbations have been reported for other filarioids, such as Setaria tundra in Fennoscandia, and may become an emerging issue for O. cervipedis in subarctic North America.

Echinococcus multilocularis in urban coyotes, Alberta, Canada.

Echinococcus multilocularis is a zoonotic parasite in wild canids. We determined its frequency in urban coyotes (Canis latrans) in Alberta, Canada. We detected E. multilocularis in 23 of 91 coyotes in this region. This parasite is a public health concern throughout the Northern Hemisphere, partly because of increased urbanization of wild canids.

The endemic gastropod fauna of Lake Titicaca: correlation between molecular evolution and hydrographic history.

Lake Titicaca, situated in the Altiplano high plateau, is the only ancient lake in South America. This 2- to 3-My-old (where My is million years) water body has had a complex history that included at least five major hydrological phases during the Pleistocene. It is generally assumed that these physical events helped shape the evolutionary history of the lake's biota. Herein, we study an endemic species assemblage in Lake Titicaca, composed of members of the microgastropod genus Heleobia, to determine whether the lake has functioned as a reservoir of relic species or the site of local diversification, to evaluate congruence of the regional paleohydrology and the evolutionary history of this assemblage, and to assess whether the geographic distributions of endemic lineages are hierarchical. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that the Titicaca/Altiplano Heleobia fauna (together with few extralimital taxa) forms a species flock. A molecular clock analysis suggests that the most recent common ancestor (MRCAs) of the Altiplano taxa evolved 0.53 (0.28-0.80) My ago and the MRCAs of the Altiplano taxa and their extralimital sister group 0.92 (0.46-1.52) My ago. The endemic species of Lake Titicaca are younger than the lake itself, implying primarily intralacustrine speciation. Moreover, the timing of evolutionary branching events and the ages of two precursors of Lake Titicaca, lakes Cabana and Ballivián, is congruent. Although Lake Titicaca appears to have been the principal site of speciation for the regional Heleobia fauna, the contemporary spatial patterns of endemism have been masked by immigration and/or emigration events of local riverine taxa, which we attribute to the unstable hydrographic history of the Altiplano. Thus, a hierarchical distribution of endemism is not evident, but instead there is a single genetic break between two regional clades. We also discuss our findings in relation to studies of other regional biota and suggest that salinity tolerance was the most likely limiting factor in the evolution of Altiplano species flocks.

Sensitivity of double centrifugation sugar fecal flotation for detecting intestinal helminths in coyotes (Canis latrans).

Fecal analysis is commonly used to estimate prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminths in wild carnivores, but few studies have assessed the reliability of fecal flotation compared to analysis of intestinal tracts. We investigated sensitivity of the double centrifugation sugar fecal flotation and kappa agreement between fecal flotation and postmortem examination of intestines for helminths of coyotes (Canis latrans). We analyzed 57 coyote carcasses that were collected between October 2010 and March 2011 in the metropolitan area of Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Before analyses, intestines and feces were frozen at -80 C for 72 hr to inactivate Echinococcus eggs, protecting operators from potential exposure. Five species of helminths were found by postmortem examination, including Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma caninum, Taenia sp., and Echinococcus multilocularis. Sensitivity of fecal flotation was high (0.84) for detection of T. leonina but low for Taenia sp. (0.27), E. multilocularis (0.46), and U. stenocephala (0.00). Good kappa agreement between techniques was observed only for T. leonina (0.64), for which we detected also a significant correlation between adult female parasite intensity and fecal egg counts (R(s)=0.53, P=0.01). Differences in sensitivity may be related to parasite characteristics that affect recovery of eggs on flotation. Fecal parasitologic analyses are highly applicable to study the disease ecology of urban carnivores, and they often provide important information on environmental contamination and potential of zoonotic risks. However, fecal-based parasitologic surveys should first assess the sensitivity of the techniques to understand their biases and limitations.

The role of assessment in the student learning process.

Assessment is a powerful learning tool that can enhance learning and education. The process of student assessment should align with curricular goals and educational objectives. Identifying the assessment strategies necessary for the proper evaluation of students' progress within individual programs is as important as establishing curricular content and delivery methods. The purpose of this paper is to discuss elements to be considered in assessment design and implementation as well as common challenges encountered during this process. Elements to be considered during assessment design include purpose of assessment, domains to be tested, and characteristics of the assessment tools to be employed. Assessment tools are evaluated according to four main characteristics: relevance, feasibility, validity, and reliability. Based on the evidence presented in the literature, the use of a variety of assessment tools is recommended to match diverse domains and learning styles. The assessment cycle concludes with the evaluation of the results and, based on these, the institution, program, or course can make changes to improve the quality of education. If assessment design aligns with educational outcomes and instructional methods, it improves the quality of education and supports student learning.

Evaluation of the effects of a VEGFR-2 inhibitor compound on alanine aminotransferase gene expression and enzymatic activity in the rat liver.

BACKGROUND: Traditional assessment of drug-induced hepatotoxicity includes morphological examination of the liver and evaluation of liver enzyme activity in serum. The objective of the study was to determine the origin of drug-related elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in the absence of morphologic changes in the liver by utilizing molecular and immunohistochemical techniques. METHODS: Sixteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups (control and treated, n = 4 per group) and treated rats were dosed orally twice daily (400 mg/kg/day) for 7 days with a VEGFR-2 compound (AG28262), which in a previous study caused ALT elevation without morphological changes. Serum of both treated and control animals were evaluated on day 3 of treatment and at day 8. Three separate liver lobes (caudate, right medial, and left lateral) were examined for determination of ALT tissue activity, ALT gene expression and morphological changes. RESULTS: ALT activity was significantly (p < 0.01) elevated on day 3 and further increased on day 8. Histologic changes or increase in TUNEL and caspase3 positive cells were not observed in the liver lobes examined. ALT gene expression in the caudate lobe was significantly up-regulated by 63%. ALT expression in the left lateral lobe was not significantly affected. Statistically significant increased liver ALT enzymatic activity occurred in the caudate (96%) and right medial (41%) lobes but not in the left lateral lobe. CONCLUSIONS: AG28262, a VEFG-r2 inhibitor, causes an increase in serum ALT, due in part to both gene up-regulation. Differences between liver lobes may be attributable to differential distribution of blood from portal circulation. Incorporation of molecular data, such as gene and protein expression, and sampling multiple liver lobes may shed mechanistic insight to the evaluation of hepatotoxicity.

Relationships between admissions requirements and pre-clinical and clinical performance in a distributed veterinary curriculum.

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to assess the relationships between knowledge-based admission requirements and pre-clinical and clinical performance in a distributed model of veterinary education that uses problem-based learning as the main instruction method in the first two years of the curriculum; second, to compare pre-clinical and clinical performance with performance on the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) exam. Admissions data including overall GPA, prerequisite GPA, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score on the Analytical, Analytical Writing, Quantitative, and Verbal sections), veterinary school performance data (GPA for pre-clinical and clinical years), and performance PAVE (taken at the end of second year) were analyzed for two classes (N = 155, 85.8% women and 14.2% men). Overall GPA, prerequisite GPA, and GRE Quantitative and Analytical scores were the best predictors for pre-clinical (years 1 and 2) performance (R = 0.49, 23.5% of the variance), GRE Analytical score was the best predictor for year 3 (pre-clinical and clinical) performance (R = 0.25, 6.3% of the variance), GRE Quantitative score was the best predictor for PAVE performance (R = 0.27, 7.5% of the variance), and GRE Analytical score was the best predictor for clinical performance (year 4; R = 0.21, 4.4% of the variance). PAVE scores correlated with GRE Quantitative scores (r = 0.27, p <.01) and veterinary school performance, with higher correlations in the pre-clinical years (rs = 0.67-0.36, p < .01), providing evidence of convergent validity for the PAVE exam.

Lipopolysaccharide renders transgenic mice expressing human serum amyloid P component sensitive to Shiga toxin 2.

Transgenic C57BL/6 mice expressing human serum amyloid P component (HuSAP) are resistant to Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) at dosages that are lethal in HuSAP-negative wild-type mice. However, it is well established that Stx2 initiates extra-intestinal complications such as the haemolytic-uremic syndrome despite the presence of HuSAP in human sera. We now demonstrate that co-administering purified Escherichia coli O55 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), at a dosage of 300 ng/g body weight, to HuSAP-transgenic mice increases their susceptibility to the lethal effects of Stx2. The enhanced susceptibility to Stx2 correlated with an increased expression of genes encoding the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα and chemokines of the CXC and CC families in the kidneys of LPS-treated mice, 48 hours after the Stx2/LPS challenge. Co-administering the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, but not the LPS neutralizing cationic peptide LL-37, protected LPS-sensitized HuSAP-transgenic mice from lethal doses of Stx2. Dexamethasone protection was specifically associated with decreased expression of the same inflammatory mediators (CXC and CC-type chemokines and TNFα) linked to enhanced susceptibility caused by LPS. The studies reveal further details about the complex cascade of host-related events that are initiated by Stx2 as well as establish a new animal model system in which to investigate strategies for diminishing serious Stx2-mediated complications in humans infected with enterohemorrhagic E. coli strains.

Assessment of applicants to the veterinary curriculum using a multiple mini-interview method.

This study describes the development, implementation, and psychometric assessment of the multiple mini-interview (MMI) for the inaugural class of veterinary medicine applicants at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). The MMI is a series of approximately five to 12 10-minute interviews that consist of situational events. Applicants are given a scenario and asked to work through an issue or behavioral-type questions that are meant to assess one attribute (e.g., empathy) at a time. This structure allows for multiple assessments of the applicants by trained interviewers on the same questions. MMI scenario development was based on a review of the noncognitive attributes currently assessed by the 31 veterinary schools across Canada and the United States and the goals and objectives of UCVM. The noncognitive attributes of applicants (N=110) were assessed at five stations, by two interviewers within each station, on three items using a standardized rating form on an anchored 1-5 scale. The method was determined to be reliable (G-coefficient=0.88) and demonstrated evidence of validity. The MMI score did not correlate with grade-point average (r=0.12, p=0.22). While neither the applicants nor interviewers had participated in an MMI format before, both groups reported the process to be acceptable in a post-interview questionnaire. This analysis provides preliminary evidence of the reliability, validity, and acceptability of the MMI in assessing the noncognitive attributes of applicants for veterinary medical school admissions.

Assessing clinical competency: reports from discussion groups.

This report describes proposed new models for assessment of eight of the nine clinical competencies the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education requires for accreditation. The models were developed by discussion groups at the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges' Clinical Competency Symposium. Clinical competencies and proposed models (in parentheses) are described. Competency 1: comprehensive patient diagnosis (neurologic examination on a dog, clinical reasoning skills); Competency 2: comprehensive treatment planning (concept mapping, computerized case studies); Competency 3: anesthesia, pain management (student portfolio); Competency 4: surgery skills (objective structured clinical examination, cased-based examination, "super dog" model); Competency 5: medicine skills (clinical reasoning and case management, skills checklist); Competency 6: emergency and intensive care case management (computerized case study or scenario); Competency 7: health promotion, disease prevention/biosecurity (360 degrees evaluation, case-based computer simulation); Competency 8: client communications and ethical conduct (Web-based evaluation forms, client survey, communicating with stakeholders, telephone conversation, written scenario-based cases). The report also describes faculty recognition for participating in clinical competency assessments.

Community-based clinical veterinary education at Western University of Health Sciences.

This article describes a distributed model clinical curriculum developed by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences (CVMWU), and presents outcome data for the 2005/2006 academic year. Extramural clinical education requires close institutional involvement, including planning, formulation of learning objectives, selection of partner sites with numbers compatible with teaching needs, training of clinical preceptors, faculty commitment, administrative support, and ongoing assessment. Extramural delivery of the CVMWU clinical curriculum is facilitated by its geographical location in close proximity to participating sites and by an admissions process designed to select students judged likely to succeed in a student-centered learning environment. Outcome data collected from students and clinical preceptors supports the conclusion that year 3 of the curriculum was successfully delivered.