Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of (+/-) pentazocine (10, 30 & 50 mg/kg), a Sigma opioid agonist, resulted in a dose dependent anticonvulsant action against maximal electroshock seizures in mice. This anticonvulsant effect of pentazocine was not antagonized by both the doses of naloxone (1 and 10 mg/kg) suggesting thereby that its anticonvulsant action is probably mediated by Sigma opiate binding sites. Its anticonvulsant effect was potentiated by both the anticonvulsant drugs viz. diazepam and diphenylhydantoin. Morphine, mu opioid agonist, on the other hand, failed to protect the animals against maximal electroshock seizures when it was given in doses of 10-40 mg/kg body wt.

This study shows the impact of a holistic structured training programme on the acquisition of research skills by a batch of 13 interns of Pramukhswami Medical College, Gujarat, India, commensurate with their envisaged roles according to the concept of "Essential National Health Research" (ENHR). There was a significant improvement in the knowledge scores of the participants, subsequent to the training programme, as evidenced by an improvement over their mean pretest score of 16.4 +/- 11.0 to a posttest score of 87.1 +/- 19.9. The study also discussions the suggestions and feedback of the participants about the programme.

Quantitative chemical analysis of 225 urinary calculi (128 Renal, 57 bladder and 40 ureter) collected from hospitals of different districts of Haryana was carried out. CaOxM was found to be present as a major component in all the stones analysed, while MAP, HA, CA and UA were found in 83.7%, 83.6%, 13% and 78.9% cases, respectively. The content of CaOxM was found to be higher in renal stones as compared to ureter and bladder stones, while the concentration of MAP was higher in bladder stones as compared to kidney and ureter stones. HA content was higher in ureter and UA was higher in bladder stones as compared to other urinary stones.

17 yrs. old boy presented with low back pain and progressive deformity with no history of trauma or tuberculosis. Clinically there was tender knuckle formation at L2 level. X-rays showed vertebra plana (concentric collapse) at L2 level along with skull involvement. While being investigated patient developed partial collapse at L3 level and pelvis involvement within a week. On biopsy from L3 vertebra the lesion was found to be eosinophilic granuloma. This is a case report of a rare instance in which acute progression of eosinophilic granuloma occurred involving multiple skeletal sites in an adult.